According to the history we pieced together for the Jeeps in Spain page, the name "Avia" replaced "EBRO" as the brand name for the Spanish-built Jeeps in the late 1970's. The CJ-3B and the "CJ-6" long-wheelbase version, powered by the Perkins diesel, retained the model names "Bravo" and "Bravo L".
This Avia was spotted in 1999 at Puerto Banyuls, near Marbella on the sunny southern coast of Spain, by Jean-Louis Martin. (Ron Christian photographed the young lady.)
Jean-Louis mentions that the Avia looks like it could have originally been a copy of the French Hotchkiss HWL, produced from 1963-66 (see Jeeps in France). Both Jeeps had 100-inch wheelbases.
This Jeep carries an "Avia" tag on the front, and "BravoL" tags on the hood (see a closer view of the grille and hood, 50K JPEG.)
A 1979 Jeep Avia brochure shows the "JEEP" name stamped on the sides of the hood.
For those who would rather have some shade, this safari-style hardtop provides protection from the sun.
This BravoL, owned by a contractor in Tarragona, Spain was photographed by Jean-Francois Lavie who comments, "In Spain they are still just workhorses and do not have the mythic status yet." The tag on the front of this one appears to say "Jeep EBRO," so the Avia name may have been adopted later. A closer view of the hood (50K JPEG) shows the BravoL tag and the mounting bracket for a rear-view mirror.
A look at the interior reveals distinctive features like the glovebox, two instrument clusters, and suspended pedals.
A closer view of the right rear corner (50K JPEG) shows the taillights mounted on brackets, the bumperettes, and the sockets for the softtop bows.
Thanks to Jean-Louis and Jean-Francois, and Ron Christian. -- Derek Redmond
See more Jeeps in Spain on The CJ3B Page.
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