After having a delightful conversation with the seller of this rare 1983 Puma GTC I’m even more excited that it’s on Barn Finds. The no-reserve auction listing can be found here on eBay, where bidding seems incredibly low to me so far at $3,450 as I write. What’s a Puma, you may be asking? Read on and I’ll tell you. By the way, you can pick it up after you win the auction in Akron, Ohio.
Did you even know there was a Brazilian sports car based on VW mechanical components? And don’t try to tell me it’s a kit car, because it isn’t. Puma got its start in the early 1960s using DKW components and then switched to VW as time went on. Unlike a lot of manufacturers, their cars only got prettier as time went on. You can read a history of the marque here if you are interested. I think the lines on the convertible GTC (produced from 1980 to 1985) are stunning.
A real interior is one of the things that separates Pumas from most kits. The seller tells us that it’s been in storage for 15 years and that everything needs a good cleaning. I happen to know that the seller is a person of very high integrity and is well-known in collector circles — hopefully he will comment below.
The engine runs, but like everything else could stand a good cleaning. At least things are very simple!
Wait a minute, Jamie, I thought you said this car was made in Brazil? Well, it was, but it was imported by these folks. Apparently they did this more than once, as I also found this Hemmings article explaining how they “produced” Sebrings as well. Do any Barn Finds readers know more about Bremen Sport? And for those of you interested in a Puma, I hope you are smart enough to bid on this one!
Great find, Jamie! This is the first I’ve seen of the convertible version, and I think I prefer it to the coupe. If you squint your eyes, there’s some Alfa Duetto/Spider influence to both front and rear, despite the engine location. Would be a nice cruiser. And, being a VW, not difficult to get in shape.
Oh, and there’s at least one other VW-based Brazilian sports car: the Beck Spyder. Those were (are?) built in Brazil, with only final assembly — mainly engine installation, IIRC — done in the states. Really well-built, and more fun to drive than a “real” Porsche 550. I know; I’ve driven both….
I have nothing but love for VW power!
I drive modern vehicles and own 3 classics, so I am sort of a petrolhead.
But with my 10 year old son, we drove from Cape Town in South Africa, to Cairo in Egypt in north Africa over six weeks. Including the Sahara Desert.
In a beach buggy powered by a standard 1.6 L VW air cooled engine.
We broke one clutch cable and ran out of fuel once, over 10 000km, now that is reliable VW power.
Had a chance to buy one. But i was young and stupid. Imagine that.
Aside from the basic facts about the Brazilian manufacturer, and the car’s date and model, most of the information concerning the car is incorrect. First, to America this was a “kit car” thanks to USDOT’s various regulations including crash testing. It came “knocked down” as a complete body, but without engine, transaxle, suspension, etc. One could buy those parts from Puma’s US distributor, or supply them from a seventies VW Karmann Ghia (or whatever). Puma did export a small number of complete cars to Canada and the rest of the world. They opened a small plant in South Africa. They built some 22,000 cars over a roughly 20 year span. The North American Puma register is run by Bill Jackameit and it, and lots of information, can be found at wj2d.100megsdns.com. As for Bremen Sports Equipment, it resided in a little Indiana town south of South Bend. It was founded by Dewayne Creighton and Omar Hostetter. See, fiberclassics.org/bremen-sport-equipment/. Currently one of their Sebring kit cars is for sale on eBay, as well as this Puma. Also, for what it’s worth, only Hagerty of the “usual suspects” has any pricing information on these cars. A number 4 example is worth some $5,000.00, according to Hagerty; see, of course, hagerty.com. An example of the beautiful GT car (1972) was presented here in March, 2016, and later sold on that other site-that-shall-be-nameless-but-has-turned-into-little-more-than-an-auction-site-selling-late-model-predominantly-German-sporty cars. Price for a completely stripped, everything new, restored coupe? $29,999.00. And you know where to find you-know-who. I hope this helps.
@Surface rusted. In the days that I was a Classic Car dealer in South Africa I took one of these brilliant little (convertible) cars in for sale, on a consignment basis only, as I thought it would never sell for the price the owner was requesting, however, it sold within two days and the buyer was blissfully happy. As far as I know, he might still have it.
@ken TILLY: never driven one but if I remember correctly they weigh something under 1700 pounds. And no one reading these comments should assume memories are infallible. I just looked at the Hagerty valuation site and it now says — or maybe always did — that a number 4 car, which I assume this is from the age, description and less-than-perfect photos, is worth about $6,800.00. Looking back at my sources, I can’t figure out where the $5000 number came from — maybe some interpolation from the value of its underpinings? Sorry for the inaccuracy.
The Beck cars (see first comment) are no longer manufactured in Brazil. All manufacturing is now done on in the Special Edition, Inc. facility in Bremen although the Chamonix factory in Brazil recently sold their original tooling. Special Edition was founded by Kevin Hines in partnership with Chuck Beck, and I believe that Kevin was involved in the Puma. I’m guessing that Kevin was also involved in Bremen Sport, and that would complete the circle on this car. I’ve always like Pumas but never had an opportunity to buy one. Hmmm…
Very pretty. Would like to see pictures of roof up to see what condition it’s in.
The seller is an enthusiast of the highest order. Long may he run.
Put a 4 carb. Corvair in it and improve brakes/suspension & rims/tires. A real sports car.
Claude’s Buggies of Calif. sold these in the knocked down form. No front axle, transmission, or engine. I think they were in the 6 to 7 thousand range.
Would be very curious to know how the importation rules would apply to this car coming to Canada. I’ve wanted one since I first heard about them a couple of years ago, but still unsure if they are admissible. “Kit” cars from the US are not admissible unless they are purchased as a kit and main components (engine, axles, driveline) are bought in Canada (go figure) but “manufactured” cars made in the US and many other countries are admissible. Which would this be?
I drive modern vehicles and own 3 classics, so I am sort of a petrolhead.
But with my 10 year old son, we drove from Cape Town in South Africa, to Cairo in Egypt in north Africa over six weeks. Including crossing the Sahara Desert.
In a beach buggy powered by a standard 1.6 L VW air cooled engine.
We broke one clutch cable and ran out of fuel once, over 10 000km, now that is reliable VW power.
Cool! A another car to watch and lust for!
Has a kind of Porsche/TVR look to it. Attractive design; even though 30+ years old, looks much more current.
Picking up that ’83 Puma on the 14 th . Bought it sight unseen but heard of the owners reputation for collecting nothing less than 2.5’s or better and all where unmolested . I paid $9200. Hoping to have fun with it this summer. Keep you posted after I polish it up
Good for you Peter!
Keep us posted please!
Peter, I would love to know what took place after you posted your message since this car is back for sale in the same location, using the original pictures from 2018.
I’m going to see it tomorrow in person and would like to know what stopped the original sale back then?
I plan on giving the car a complete visual inspection, including title verification and such, but any extra information is greatly appreciated.
JRL