The Opel Sintra, sold between 1996 and 1999, is an unloved American minivan sold in Europe, but what does its name mean. And, is it named after anything?
The Sintra, based on the short wheelbase Chevrolet Venture/Pontiac Montana, but fitted with smaller Opel engines had bland styling and unimpressive build quality.
It’s lack of loveability, even for a people mover, made it a slow seller, and the vehicle only lasted for three years on sale.
It is, however, named after the picturesque town of Sintra in Portugal. Nestled in the hills of the Portuguese Riviera, the town has many castles and palaces, which houses princes, kings, queens and other royals.
It is now a UNESCO world heritage site, a popular tourist destination, and one of the most expensive places to buy a home in all of Portugal.
So, in a way, it’s everything that the Opel Sintra was not.
