ARO Spartana. Romania’s Best?

Here we have a rare-in-North America ARO Spartana, made by the Romanian Aro company.

The ARO 10 was sold in a variety of body configurations from around 1980 into the 2000s, and the Spartana was the topless version.  ARO went from ‘public’ ownership to private and managed to solider on for quite a while, but it’s no longer with us today.  Wikipedia indicates these were sold as Dacia Dusters at some point, presumably before Renault bought Dacia.

Here’s an article from the New York Times on one attempt to salvage this company and sell their vehicles in the US.  Needless to say, this never happened.

The seller here provides only specs found somewhere online, so the pictures and claimed mileage are all we know.  The claimed 10K miles and pictures make it seem pretty good.  That being said, I don’t see any way this would be registered in the US in this decade.

Click for eBay ad
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
$100 Canadian with one bid
02/19/2014 update: Ended at $1,691.66C with reserve not met

Do I see a bit of Range Rover styling?

It looks like one could fashion a third row here if occupant protection wasn’t a concern.  The good news is the Renault 4-cylinder won’t be snapping their necks or throwing them out of the back.

Would you drive this in the Pacific Northwest or a car wash?

Interior is suitably basic and has a delightful central/eastern European flair.

Ad text:

1996
Mileage:  10,600
Make:  Other Makes
Exterior Color:  White
Model:  Aro Spartana
Interior Color:  Gray
Trim:  Convertible
Number of Cylinders:  4
Engine:  1.2 Litre
Transmission:  Manual
Drive Type:  RWD
Body Type:  sport-utility soft-top

Powertrain

Engine manufacturer:  Renault C3G
Engine type:   spark-ignition 4-stroke
Fuel type:  petrol (gasoline)
Fuel system:  indirect injection
Charge system:  naturally aspirated
Valves per cylinder:  2
Emission control:  3-way cat, Lambda-Sensor
Cylinders alignment:  Line 4
Displacement:  1239 cm3 / 75.3 cui
Power net:  40 kW / 54 PS / 54 hp (ECE) / 5300
Torque:  90 Nm / 66 ft-lb/ 2800

Gearbox

Transmission type:  manual
Number of gears:  4