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Reader Submissions: Have You Ever Seen A Svelte Brazilian Puma 1800 GT Rallye?

Have You Ever Seen A Svelte Brazilian Puma 1800 GT Rallye?

By Petrolicious Productions
March 21, 2016
10 comments

Photography by Chico Rulez and Elo Kyrmse

You may not believe us, but we don’t often get to see incredibly rare machines outside of the usual suspects—meaning that we’ve sat in Ferrari 250 GTOs, but not a 1973 Puma 1800 GT Rallye.

James from Belo Horizonte, Brazil is the proud owner of this example, which is colored in one of the nicest shades of violet we’ve seen. This particular car is also pretty special, being one of only eight said to have been based on the Pumas entered into the 5th Rallye Internacional TAP in Portugal. It’s one of only two known to still exist.

As far as Volkswagen specials go, this is pretty special. Fiberglass bodywork, fantastic design—and a hopped-up air-cooled Volkswagen flat-four slung out back, complete with dry sump. So what does one do with such a rare piece of Brazilian motoring history?

James enters it into regularity rallies and, of course, often takes it out for a blast on nearby B-roads. If you’d like to learn more about the car (in Portuguese) you can find its home online here.

Tags Puma 1800/ Your Car/ Your Story
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Horacio Romeo
Horacio Romeo
6 years ago

The black license plate speaks about the originality of the car.

0
Rick
Rick
6 years ago

There’s no front weight, when you are on the highway and the speed increases if the front trunk isn’t loaded with some sand bags it starts taking off… fun to drive!

0
Mark Witwicki
Mark Witwicki
6 years ago

nice car, but get that plastic fuel filter out of the engine compartment, that’s an engine fire just waiting to happen

1
Rodrigo Almeida
Rodrigo Almeida
8 years ago

Not only I have as I own a 78′ convertible myself 🙂

1
André Borges
André Borges
8 years ago

Small little monsters, beautiful vehicles.

-1
Clayton Merchant
Clayton Merchant
8 years ago

Yep, some cool little cars.
Lived in Sao Paulo for a couple years in the early 80’s and used to love seeing Pumas in all their iterations. They stood out from the Fuscas (Beetles) and Chevettes that were the norm like sore thumbs in a very good way.

I was always partial to the GTB which had a beautiful GT fiberglass body with a front engine, rear drive, in-line 6 and drive train cribbed from the GM do Brasil Opala. Beautiful car.

Tiago, seu Puma e’ muito legal, Vai firme rapaz!

1
Belchior Franco
Belchior Franco
8 years ago

recent article about this car published on a national website:

http://www.flatout.com.br/este-rarissimo-puma-1800-rallye-a-venda-e-o-achado-meio-perdido-de-hoje/

1
Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago

Yes I have . Multiple times over the years as everyone from R&T C&D MT CAR etc did almost regular features on them when they were new .. as well as multiple classic car rags featuring them since the companies inglorious demise .

A minus twenty five points in the ongoing Stump the Grump contest . But thanks for the memories ……… They were a sweet as well as svelte little beast … albeit … err .. not exactly the pinnacle of handling , quality or reliability .. wink wink …

0
Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

In fact … if memory serves me correct [ having gone thru the 60’s 70’s and being of a ‘ certain ‘ age …. one never knows 😉 ] this and several other Puma models were made available here in the US in kit form . Fact is I have a vague recollection of R&T doing a feature on the kit Puma GT . Can anyone else confirm or deny that please ?

0
Erik Mattson
Erik Mattson
8 years ago

C&SC did a feature on the 1800 as well as a couple of other Pumas some years ago. They likened the styling to a baby 275 GTB. I must say I concur.

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