Here’s an unusual coupe that’ll likely get plenty of attention at car shows, and one you probably won’t have any competition for while displaying. Puma was the vision of a Brazilian immigrant named Rino Malzoni, who was born in Italy and produced a few sporty cars during his career before passing away in 1979. The following year, a couple of new Puma entries emerged, both featuring restyling of an earlier Puma creation known as the Spider. These included the GTI and the GTC, the latter of which was a convertible. This 1981 Puma GTI here on eBay is said to be drivable as-is, with no immediate maintenance required, although a few minor cosmetic blemishes are noted. It’s located in San Jose, California, and can be purchased for $17,500. Curvette, thanks for another great tip here!
Manufactured in São Paulo, apparently just 610 examples of the GTI were ever made, and I couldn’t find a number for how many are known to still be in driving condition today. These cars have fiberglass bodies, so there’s no need to worry about rust on the exterior panels, and the seller describes the condition outside as good to very good. Although some buyers might prefer the ragtop model, this one includes a factory sunroof, making it more user-friendly year-round rather than just in summer. Though it’s not quite perfect, the finish looks good enough that I’d probably just enjoy driving this Puma for a while before considering applying a fresh coat of paint.
Inside, the condition is also rated by the seller as good to very good, which seems like a reasonable evaluation. This one features power windows, leather seats, and an AM/FM Cassette Stereo. One of the things I noticed in some of the photos is that the steering wheel isn’t positioned entirely centered with the driver’s bucket- it’s a bit to the right, so that might take a little getting used to. However, the three pedals are certainly a welcome sight.
The GTI was built on a Volkswagen chassis and featured an air-cooled 1600CC engine, but this one has been upgraded to a larger 1835CC unit, which the owner reports has given it a significant power boost. The transmission is a 4-speed manual, and I’m guessing this one is probably a decent performer. With the low production number and sleek styling, there are likely some eager buyers who’d love to get their hands on this one. However, the seller may have to consider lowering his price a bit before this 1981 Puma GTI changes hands, and it’s probably a good choice that he provided the make-offer option. Any thoughts or observations to share here?
These are becoming quite popular here!! Nice sleek lines!!
This car would make a great bar trivia question: what car came with power windows and a VW flat four?
Cool, but a bit high on price, CA legal is a big plus.
I liked it from the moment I saw it but my first thought was it built on a VW chassis and engine? Yup. Too bad, I had never seen one before and this is one nice example.
Have never heard of these. VW chassis and engine. So it has more in common with a Bradley GT than a true sports car. Nice lines, but I’ll pass.