If you’re deep in the VW world, you may have heard of Toni Bianco—a Brazilian designer who built a limited run of sporty, fiberglass-bodied coupes based on the Volkswagen Beetle. This one, a 1977 Bianco S, is one of the rarest, and it’s currently available here on eBay out of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The seller imported the car from Brazil in 2017, and while it’s not currently running, it appears to be a remarkably complete and original project with matching engine and chassis numbers. The current bid is still well under the price of most air-cooled VW projects, making this an interesting opportunity for the right kind of enthusiast.
Bianco cars were produced from 1976 to 1979 in São Paulo using standard VW mechanicals. Though the platform is familiar, the car’s styling was anything but, with a wedge-like nose, sloped rear deck, and gullwing-inspired side glass. They used the VW Fusca (Brazilian Beetle) underpinnings and featured the same 1600cc air-cooled flat-four engine with twin carbs and a four-speed manual gearbox. Power output was modest, around 65 horsepower, but these cars were light and sporty. According to the seller, fewer than 400 were made annually, and it’s estimated that fewer than 10 are currently in the U.S.
This car is partially disassembled and will require a full restoration. The fiberglass body is off the chassis, and while the interior is out, most components are included. It’s titled and registered in Washington State under the name Bianco S Furia and retains its original Brazilian title with matching engine and chassis numbers. The seller notes that it ran when imported, but has since been stripped down to prepare for a restoration that never happened. The glass is intact aside from one door pane, and while there is some rust in the pan, a full pan and suspension replacement was already part of the seller’s original plan.
This is not a project for the faint of heart. It’s a rare, hand-built car with little parts availability in the U.S., so a buyer will need to be resourceful and motivated. Still, the rarity and story behind the Bianco brand, and this car’s originality, make it a compelling garage candidate.
If a California resident purchases this vehicle, they should film a documentary about trying to transfer ownership and receive a title, registration and license plates from the DMV…
Not to mention smog checked an being a 77, that won’t go away.
I have still never seen one of these though.
Not a difficult project given the VW base. Any good kit builfer should be able to restore this.
Of its type, quite good- looking. Shape may have been inspired by Bruce Mclaren’s 1969 Mclaren M6GT.
Looking at the original pictures posted in this writeup, I have to wonder what lake this was pulled out of? The rust is extensive, but noted, but just take a look at those air cleaners?!?!? What does that engine look like on the inside…on a lighter note, it is really a cool looking little car! Even with the VW power, it would be a fun car to blast around in.
whoo nice surprise ! i know these little car very well from Brazil! and i saw that shell be mounted and adjust to a “porch” 214 with a nice tweek engine not necessarily today due to some wv power plant above 2.5 liter with serious power , any way the pictures just for the shell are fine (not finished ) how about the rest!
thanks
Looks like a cartoon car from a Pixar movie.