Just a few weeks ago, I learned what a L’Automobile Ventura was for the very first time. It took me by surprise as you generally assume after a few decades of being a car enthusiast, you’ve seen everything. This is especially the case for someone who grew up on a steady diet of Volkswagens, so to discover the Brazilian-made, VW-based kit car was a bit of a shock. You can read the story about the first one we found here, and then be sure to check out yet another example here on Facebook Marketplace where the seller wants just $250.
$250 doesn’t buy you much of anything these days, but I’m guessing the seller is recognizing that the likelihood of finding someone who wants to restore such an obscure car is slim to none. The L’Automobile Distribuidora de Veículos Ltda. of Brazil was the manufacturer of the Ventura, and a U.S.-based importer handled bringing them stateside. I would assume that finding this rough project car means the company responsible for importing these oddball sports coupes did a better job than we originally thought at finding buyers at the time.
While you may get a set of taillights, good luck finding the distinctive nose panel. This here is the kind of thing that will consume hours of your life, if not actual months and years, when you set about finding an original front section and corresponding headlights sitting in a dusty warehouse in Brazil. Since this car doesn’t appear to have been wrecked, I’m genuinely curious as to why it was removed. It’s not like you could slap it onto a Fox body or something. There are no photos of the interior, but those were fairly basic cockpits that should be easy to source parts for if need be.
A VW-derived 1.6L engine was the typical choice for a Ventura like this, so don’t fret that you don’t get a motor for your $250 investment. The rear suspension is missing, which likely went bye-bye when the engine was removed. These Venturas are better looking than you might expect when finished, especially with a set of period-correct turbine-style wheels. This car likely has a fascinating backstory, but I doubt you’re going to find out much from a seller that seemingly pulled it out of a wrecking yard before deciding to o sell it. Would you restore this rare – but odd – classic?
This wil’l obviousl’y be a l’abor of l’ove to get this poor thing road worthy again, l’et al’one presentabl’e. At the l’east the price makes it worth taking a gambl’e on.
Do you have a strange keyboard that generates an apostrophe after every L?
Yes, it’s a French keyboard. I don’t l’ike it
L’ol!
Good job. You lured at least one in.
Another one?
That’s a waste of time.
I found a brochure online.
https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/brazilian-ventura-1978-1988/
Thanks for the link, it helps to picture what the car would look like for the person who wants to undertake this project. I think the car looks a little clunky, but beauty is in the eyes of the restorer.
yup, often no rep of the ‘true thing’ in the write up ofa ‘wreck’. I usually (on the ones I think “hot’) fill-in w/a link to the ‘wiki’ or other site’s sales pic so readers can geta sense of ’the true thing’ the item can really be if nota wreck…
Thnx for your assistance.
I like i,t but the Puma’s better (& I like some ’square lines’ cars) to my eye (but enjoy rounder styles generally). ANY long hood, FB, short deck, 2+2 (some verts) really get it for me.
yup, often no rep of the ‘true thing’ in the write up ofa ‘wreck’. I usually (on the ones I think “hot’) fill-in w/a link to the ‘wiki’ or other site’s sales pic so readers can geta sense of ’the true thing’ the item can really be if nota wreck…
Thnx for your assistance.
I like i,t but the Puma’s better (& I like some ’square lines’ cars) to my eye (but enjoy rounder styles generally). ANY long hood, FB, short deck, 2+2 (some verts) really get it for me.
I would buy it and make it yard art, like all my other ImaRestoSumDay cars. Put on some rectangular headlights similar to a DeLorean and paint it silver, hang some black boxes off the rear window, Back to the Future!
I have seen these over the years, the front style is sort of boring, the one in Florida from April is gone off FB. Ten years ago I would be hooking up my trailer, lately I’ve been able to resist, I guess I don’t really need more than 20 cars.
Quite often, it is the property that these kinds of cars sit on that determines the the inevitable outcome and timeline.
That means that if someone buys the property, either the buyer or seller has to pay someone to get rid of the junk that is sitting around.
But if you can convince someone to part with $250 in the meantime…
Very interesting vehicle. Body and interior parts will be an issue. Different enough that I like it. But, in order for itvto be fast enough for me. The price of the engine would make it an improbable project for me. Good/fast VW and Porsche engine prices are crazy expensive these days.
Funny thing.
Though it was supposed to be derived from a VW, the taillights, doors, headlights, roofline, and bumper sure look like they came from a Triumph TR7.
Just a thought.
Looks like the lower front fascia is sticking out of the sunroof
Cool car if it was closer I might be interested but I bet the interior is toast and where do you get a replacement dash? Nowhere that’s where
Located in Birmingham, AL
When I look at this car,all I hear is squeaks and rattles. The two things I can’t stand when driving a car. Best of luck to the new owner.
I couldn’t get past the 240Z taillights.
I bought the Ventura shell in Birmingham, AL. Always interested in unusual vehicles. It came with the front fiberglass nosepiece. The body is in really nice condition. The floor pan is rusted out, and the engine and transaxle are gone. I found a type 3 square back VW 412 engine and transaxle that will drop right in. I like to get them rolling and on to the next buyer. Hopefully, this one will see the road again one day. All the original Brazilian glass is in good condition, except the windscreen.
What are the chances of finding a windscreen?
Sold!