Absolutley gorgeous. Perhaps its my limited knowledge of pick-up trucks and utes, but this really puts me in mind of the Subaru Brat.
3 Likes
#1975 Borzoi
Completing the full line-up of trucks and utility vehicles, Mastin presented the Borzoi, a SUV/pick-up with some off-road capacities, taking the role from the previous ADM Mastin Familiar.
Thanks to the new environmental laws, all models were required to fit a catalytic converter, sucking power from the Durango V8 engine used in the models, passing from 164hp like in the Vaquero to 149hp and 124hp in case of the L6.
###Borzoi Pasajero
###Borzoi off-road
###Borzoi pick-up
7 Likes
1978 Vaquero, Second Generation (now in U4)
'78 Vaquero 5.0
Vaquero (literaly, cowboy in english) is Mastin attempt to please fans of both coupés and pickups vehicules.
The previous generation was released in 1973 in 3 different trims, with mixed reviews and average sales.
Background
Mastin, being a company focused in utility vehicules, it saw the potential market for trucks such as the Chevrolet El Camino, plus the making of UTEs make lead in the future to the development of other vehicules apart from trucks and SUVs.
As part of the development of this new generation, Mastin decided to developed a new type of chassis, an hybrid between ladder and monocoque. This new chassis, allowed the Vaquero to be lighter than a traditional pickup with ladder chassis, while retaining some good resistance in the rear area.
For the engines, a new developed Mastiff V8 was available in 4.6L and 5.0L configurations, both of them using a all iron design with an OHV system and a single 4 barrel carburator, connected to an automatic transmission.
2 models were available, the LTD focused on the utility part and the 5.0, with a lower stance, focused more on driving and acceleration.
Mastin’s mixed chassis technology.
Features
click for more
Vaquero LTD
- 4.6L OHV V8 Mastiff V8
- 153hp @ 4,500rpm & 200ft-lb @ 2,900rpm
- 4 speed automatic transmission. RWD
- 185/75R14 96S
- Vented discs 265mm front / Drums 265mm rear
- AM/FM radio with tape player. 2 speakers
- 3 Front seats. 2 with manual adjustment
Vaquero 5.0
- 5L OHV V8 Mastiff V8
- 180hp@ 4,400rpm & 244ft-lb @ 2,800rpm
- 4 speed automatic transmission. RWD
- 185/75R14 96T
- Vented discs 265mm front / Drums 265mm rear
- AM/FM radio with tape player. 2 speakers
- 2 Front seats with manual adjustment. Armrest with cupholders in middle.
STATS
1978 Vaquero LTD
Price: $15,807 ($2,322.40 in 1978 money)
1978 Vaquero 5.0
Price: $18,864 ($2,771.50 in 1978 money)
8 Likes
That is an interesting chassis design! I also feel like pickups should use unibody for the passenger compartment and ladder for the bed.
1 Like
Mercedes Sprinters and some similar trucks have sort of a construction like that…
2 Likes
1978 Mastin Malamute 4x4
Black & white paint scheme
The malamute is Mastin’s first attempt to create an off road truck. Exteriorwise it was recognizable due his additional lights, 2 in the front and 2 on the roof and its big grill guard straight from factory.
Background
Back when Mastin was still part of ADM, there was a project of developing a Diesel L6 engine for light trucks application, but after Mastin splited from ADM the project was scratched and re-open again in late 1975. With the new engine in development (Most of it was done, except for the fuel system and the heads that were re-enginered to use a more simpler OHV system), the designer took the task to take Mastin’s new platform and transform it into a 4x4 truck. Some changes included the new solid axle with coils suspension front and back, as well as a more shorter front and bed. Some extra pillars for strength were added.
By 1978 the project was completed, and the results were very positive, giving Mastin a much needed boost sales, although the truck was very expensive due to its new Diesel engine. To try and mimic real driving conditions. the truck was tested in the mounains and villages in Jalisco in Mexico.
Features
Click to enlarge
4x4
| Engine: | D6 Diesel engine | |
| Placement: | Front Longitudinal | |
| Type: | Inline 6 | |
| Block/head: | Iron/iron | |
| Valvetrain: | Overhead Valve | |
| Fuel system: | Mechanical Injection | |
| Turbochager: | Single turbocharger 8.1psi | |
| Bore/stroke: | 90x120mm | |
| Max Power: | 156hp @ 3,300rpm | |
| Max Torque: | 296lb-ft @ 2,000rpm | |
| Transmission: | 4 Speed manual + crawling gear | |
| Drivetrain: | 4x4 with manual locking differential | |
| Chassis type: | Ladder frame | |
| Chassis/panels: | Corrosion resistant steel | |
| Front suspension: | Solid Axle w/coils | |
| Rear suspensions: | Solid Axle w/coils | |
| Brakes F/R: | Vented/solid discs | |
| Tire size: | 225/75R15 116Q | |
| Weight: | 1,581 kg | |
| Top Speed: | 150km/h | |
| 0-100km/h: | 10.7s | |
| 400 m: | 17.7s | |
| Fuel economy: | 13.7mpg / 5.8km/l |
- 3 Front seats
- 2 front seats with manual adjustment (middle one moves with the driver seat)
- AM/FM radio with 4 speakers and tape player
- Power steering
- 32 Safety rating
- Automatic ladder-steps to climb on
- Additional fog and roof lights
- Almost 800 kg towing capacity
- 1,300kg load capacity
Price
Mastin Malamute 4x4
Price: $20,092 ($3,229 1978 US dollars)
10 Likes
New logo/Badge!
Previous logo:
New logo/badge:
4 Likes
1978 Rottweiler
'78 Rottweiler Wagon 4 door
The 1978 Rottweiler was the succesor of the 1975 Borzoi, but with less number of trims. Mastin was still trying to find an identity within the market, and now that some of the models had been in the market for a couple of years, Mastin executives decided to re design must of the line up by 1978, taking now more time to the designing and engineering instead of rushing things up.
The Rottweiler was launched in november 1978 a couple of months after its sibling, the Malamute.
Background
Months later after the launch of the Borzoi, engineers started to work on the new chassis for the upcoming models, from the ground up. An anti corrosion ladder chassis with double wishbones in the front and solid axle leaf was the base of the design. During this time, the Malamute project was begining as well and eventually used the same platform, but heavily modified for a more off road oriented use.
The exterior design between the two models was similar, sharing some number of parts and panels, but the Kelpie design was less agressive in comparision to the malamute’s.
Finally, in 1978 was released to the market (US, Mexico and Canada) with 2 different trims. The 4 door wagon and 2 door pickup. Both using the same 4.6L Mastiff V8 used in the 1978 Vaquero.
It included a spare tire carrier
Features
| TECHNICAL | 4 door wagon | 2 door pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Engine: | Mastiff V8 | |
| Placement: | Front Longitudinal | |
| Type: | 90° V8 | |
| Block/head: | iron/iron | |
| Valvetrain: | Overhead Valve | |
| Fuel System: | Single 4 barrel Carb | |
| Bore/Stroke: | 100mm x 74mm | |
| Displacement: | 4,650cc | |
| Max Power: | 153hp @ 4,500rpm | |
| Max Torque: | 200lb-ft @ 2,900rpm | |
| Transmission: | 4 Speed Auto | |
| Drivetrain: | RWD + manual locking differential | |
| Chassis type: | Ladder Frame | |
| Chassis/panels: | Corrosion resistant steel | |
| Front suspension: | Double Wishbone | |
| Rear suspension: | Solid Axle w/leaf | |
| Brakes F/R: | Vented/solid dics | |
| Tire size: | 235/75R15 118Q | |
| Weight: | 1,688 kg | 1531kg |
| Top Speed: | 150km/h | |
| 0-100km/h: | 12.3s | 11.6s |
| 400m: | 18.31s | 18.07s |
| Fuel economy: | 8.8mpg - 3.74km/l | 9mpg - 3.8km/l |
| EQUIPMENT | 4 door wagon | 2 door pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Seats: | 5 (2/3) | 3 |
| Manual adjustment: | Y | Y* |
| AM/FM radio: | Y | Y |
| Tape player: | Y | Y |
| Speakers**: | 4 | 2 |
| Power steering: | Y | Y |
| Tow: | 1,431kg | 1,223kg |
| Load: | 2,143kg | 1,210kg |
| Safety rating: | 41.5 | 38 |
*Middle seat is adjusted with driver’s seat
**15 watt speakers
Also available in pick-up version
Price and Stats
1978 Rottweiler 2 door pickup $18,302 ($2,942 when new)
1978 Rottweiler 4 door wagon $19,994 ($3,214 when new)
6 Likes
Wasn’t kelpie a gryphon gear vehicle? Not like those two will be easy to mix up 
2 Likes
You are right. I might change the name tho, kelpie sounds weird in my ears for a suv on the long run.
EDIT: name changed from Kelpie to Rottweiler.
Engine naming
| Family name: | NAME(#)-XYZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Where: | NAME | Name of the engine. |
| # | Optional. Generation | |
| XYZ | Engine configuration, L3, V6, V8 and so on. | |
| Example: | Mastiff V8 | |
| Mastiff engine, V8 first generation | ||
| Variant name: | #.#L-#hp | |
| Where: | #.#L | Displacement in liters |
| #hp | Rated hp | |
| Example: | 5.2L 300hp | |
| 5.6L 300hp variant | ||
| Full engine name: | Mastiff V8 - 5.0L 140hp | |
| 5L mastiff V8 first gen, 5L with 140hp |
Transmission naming system
| Transmission name: | XYZ##-# | |
|---|---|---|
| Where: | XYZ | Name of transmission |
| ## | Vehicule max gross weight in kg | |
| # | Number of speeds | |
| Example: | MTK5000-4 | |
| MTK model, up to 5000kg in gross weight (weight + towing) 4 speeds. |
1 Like
80s Mastin Magazine Ad
I don’t have much to show for Mastin until 1982, so here is some vintage ad. It is probably like a 2 page ad for magazines.
6 Likes
1982 Vaquero Facelift
Following the 1978 second generation, the Vaquero received a minor facelift in 1982, with most of the changes being in the inside.
Vaquero Sport
History and development
Barely 4 years after the introduction of the Vaquero, it received a minor facelift. Some changes included a re-designed front facia (new main and secondary grills) and the indicators were integrated with the main beams.
Engineering wise, the suspension were revised and now it provided both more grip and comfort, as well as a greater towing and load capacity.
The drivetrain was also revised as well, the V8 options de-stroked 4.2L Mastiff V8 engine with 135hp, the 5.0L now produced 193 horses (13 compared to the previous version) and a new L6 option was also introduced for the cheaper trim.
Vaquero Premium
The new L6 engine was refered as Grifon, based on a similar architecture to the Mastiff V8. It had iron head and block with a pushrod system. At 2.6L it was rated at 98hp and 125ft-lb using a single 2-barrel carburator.
The cheapest trim began with the Vaquero Base, including the L6 engine paired to a 3 speed automatic + crawling gear with a simple interior and a simple AM/FM dual speaker radio. This was intended not only as the base version, but also as a cheap workhorse for those who didn’t need a full size pickup. Even at its small size and power could carry or tow 1.5 tons.
Next trim was the premium, with the 4.2L V8 engine paired to a similar 3 speed automatic + crawling gear transmission and an upscale interior, compared to more premium cars, with leather seats and some wood details in the main panel, plus a decent audio system.
Lastly, the Sport trim was intended as a take to the old american Muscle car. The 5L Mastiff engine was the only option, paired to a classic 4 speed manual gearbox, while mantaining all the interior comfort of the premium trim. The direct competitor was the ADM Galgo.
Asymmetrical
Price and stats
All prices are in 1982 USD dlls
1982 Vaquero Base - $3,463.07
1982 Vaquero Premium - $5,745.02
1982 Vaquero Sport - $6,043.90
10 Likes
1983 Rottweiler 1500 & 2500
By 1983, the Mastin Rottweiler received a facelift, as well as the introduction of a new model. The previous Wagon trim was not longer offered, and instead the Rottweiler was only available as a pick up, in both half ton and 3/4 ton, reffered as 1500 and 2500 respectively.
https://i.imgur.com/2xFPc5E.jpg
Rottweiler 2500 in 2 color scheme
Summary
Despise decent sales, the previous Rottweiler wagon was discontinued in 1982 and the new facelift models came only as pickups. According to inside comments, this was to offer the wagon as an upcoming model built upon an dedicated platform for confort with driving focused in pavement roads, instead of carrying loads on a mix of roads.
https://i.imgur.com/ick9yaz.png
Rottweiler 1500 in single color scheme
The 1500 was offered with the same Mastiff 4.2L V8 offered in the Vaquero, with 135hp and a 3 speed automatic transmission, with enough commodities to be used as a daily drive if needed. The heavy duty 2500 on the other hand, came with the L6 Diesel engine used in the Malamute pushing 150hp and over 300 ft-lb of torque directly to a 3 speed auto transmission, but the interior was more bare bones in comparison to the 1500, as this was built almost exclusively for work. Both came in RWD only with a manual locking rear diff.
https://i.imgur.com/n0UangX.png
Ignore the body tearing
Specs and price
All prices are in 1983 US dlls
Rottweiler 1500 - $8,193.71
https://i.imgur.com/KGWkRSr.png
https://i.imgur.com/uUk6ffE.png?1
Rottweiler 2500 - $9,158.22
https://i.imgur.com/MF13Eiq.png
https://i.imgur.com/u02qIkE.png?1
7 Likes
1984 Malamute facelift
Sumary
The malamute was one of Mastin’s popular models, albeit a very expensive one (tho refaced model was much cheaper, as it was very stripped of luxuries). It was designed for very specific cases, where off-roading was as important (or more) than hauling or towing.
Still it had almost the same design as the last version, only this time the suspension was prepared for more extreme off-road situations, even it had a crawling gear (Crawling + 4 gears and high/low gear selector).
https://i.imgur.com/DlfmlIC.jpg
L6 OHV turbo diesel powered
Powerwise, it came with the same L6 diesel engine as previous model, still very powerful and with enough low-end grunt to move the truck around. It had so much torque at low revs, that it could easy start from 3rd gear, and at crawling gear it was very hard to stall. 4X4 transfer case and locking front/rear differentials came standard, as well as the extra set of lights on the roof.
https://i.imgur.com/NTZzWov.png
What brand is it?
Specs and price
Price in 1984 US dlls
Malamute 4x4 - $8,209.05
https://i.imgur.com/rxwqj7x.png
https://imgur.com/u6hmg0f.png
https://i.imgur.com/Pjx0dsR.png
Not much to say other than… it is a truck and does off roading…
7 Likes
1985 Leonberger
https://i.imgur.com/62R2OEC.jpg
In 1985 Mastin presented its new SUV (still, the term wasn’t use I believe) designed as more of a people mover with some light off road captabilities.
Summary
Based in an entire new platform, Mastin introduced the Leonberger in 1985, with 2 trims available. The Truck had double wishbones and live axle with coils on the back, with a more comfortable ride was the goal (in comparison to the Rottweiler where it was towing and carrying stuff).
The L6 trim came with the Grifon engine upgrated to 115hp, with a 3 speed automatic, RWD only. Despise its small size and power, it was captable of towing and carrying well over a metric ton.
https://i.imgur.com/KCgxAj6.png
L6 trim
The V8 trim came with the 4.2L Mastiff V8 engine with 135hp. Available only as a 4X4 with a 3 speed auto, and an upgrated interior. It also had a manual locking differential for some small off roading captabilities.
https://i.imgur.com/qXDj224.png
The V8 had extra badging
Specs and price
All prices are in 1985 US dlls
Leonberger L6 - $5,832.91
https://i.imgur.com/UmKs2gc.png
https://i.imgur.com/VjilnyC.png
https://i.imgur.com/oNfjIUL.png
Leonberger V8 - $7,608.76
https://i.imgur.com/PKnkalv.png
https://i.imgur.com/az3EUP4.png
https://i.imgur.com/OCiS9dT.png
7 Likes
Now that’s what I call a proper SUV, I really like the design of it, especially the front fascia!
1 Like
Thanks 
it’s always hard to fill out all that space with fixtures on bigger car bodies.
1 Like
1987 - Meliora Automotive buys Mastin
After a year negotiation, finally it was announce in late 1986 that Meliora will buy Mastin and the deal will be closed sometime mid 1987.
Both companies expect to benefit from each other, as Meliora can help Mastin to improve the R&D department and help Mastin to meet new enviromental regulations, while Meliora can use Mastin to cover other markets besides premium sedans and sporty cars.
The nogotiatons have been pretty smooth and both Meliora and Mastin will retain independant corporate identities.
3 Likes
1986 Third generation Vaquero!
After 8 years since the last generation was intruduced, by 1986 Mastin finally unveiled the third iteration of the vaquero, this time changing the classic UTE for a compact pick up with more utility captability than previous generations.
https://i.imgur.com/k2oTEOo.jpg
Vaquero BTX trim
The 1986 Vaquero came in 2 trims, BT and BTX. Main difference being the BT came with a Meliora 4 Cylinder engine mated to a 4 speed manual gearbox while the BTX came with the Mastin Grifon L6 and a 3 speed auto transmission. The BTX was also a feet larger.
Same as previous generation, the chassis was a mix between monocoque and ladder, with front mcphersons struts and now equipped with rear leaf suspension instead of coils, reason being the new generation was more inclined to work than high speed driving.
https://i.imgur.com/dEP1oII.png
You will know what company is it
Stats
1986 Vaquero BT
https://i.imgur.com/ALRoMih.png
Vaquero BTX
https://i.imgur.com/uoJMdpM.png
6 Likes