Volkswagen has a history of producing unique vehicles to meet the specific tastes and needs of local buyers. It created the Country Buggy in Australia, a car that failed dismally after only 842 examples were built. The company tasted far greater success in Brazil with its Brasilia. An amalgam of parts from various models, over one million of these hatchbacks left the factory between 1973 and 1982. This 1977 model is a three-door example that presents extremely well. It has no apparent needs, and the company’s decision to draw from its Parts Bin for mechanical components means that maintaining it in sound health for years shouldn’t be a problem. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Ted for spotting the Brasilia listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Vermilion, Ohio. You could drive it home after handing the seller $11,500.

Volkswagen do Brasil commenced development of what would become known as the Brasilia in September 1970. The company managed to shorten its development time by utilizing many existing parts, including the Karmann Ghia chassis. The first cars emerged in 1973, with the company offering both three and five-door variants. Our feature Brasilia rolled off the line in 1977, ordered by its first owner in a shade that is very similar to Dakota Beige. It presents quite nicely, although the slightly poor quality of the supplied images makes it challenging to identify any potential cosmetic flaws. However, the paint has a healthy shine, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The trim and glass are in good order, while the Mini Moon hubcaps add a sense of purpose.

The Brasilia’s interior is typical of many budget-driven Volkswagens of this era, with the company not loading it with creature comforts. Gauges are limited to a speedometer and a fuel gauge, with warning lights covering such areas as temperature and oil pressure. There are no creature comforts like air conditioning, although this vehicle appears to have an aftermarket stereo. The upholstered surfaces wear cloth and vinyl in two-tone Brown, complementing the exterior paint shade. There is visible stretching on the seat bases, and I think there might be a small hole on the passenger seat. Otherwise, it is clean, tidy, and presents well for a vehicle of this vintage.

Volkswagen had developed a bulletproof mechanical package with its vehicles and saw no reason to depart from that theme with the Brasilia. Therefore, buyers received an air-cooled, rear-mounted flat-four that sent its power to the road via a four-speed manual transaxle. Interestingly, while other cars within Volkswagen’s model range during this period offered an automatic option, Volkswagen do Brasil saw this as unnecessary in the Brasilia. This car’s 1.6-liter engine should deliver around 60hp, allowing respectable performance in most circumstances. However, one of its greatest strengths is its fuel economy, with the Brasilia consistently returning figures of around 32mpg in contemporary road tests. The seller has recently installed new carburetors, a new fuel pump, and a wide range of other parts. They state that it runs and drives well, and is ready for a life of adventure with a new owner behind the wheel.

Although it enjoyed strong local sales in its home country with the Volkswagen Brasilia, the car’s relative rarity in North America is best reflected by the fact that this 1977 example is only the sixth ever to cross our desks at Barn Finds. That can sometimes make placing a value on a classic of this type challenging, but checking the history of recent successful sales suggests that the seller’s price is realistic. That makes this Volkswagen worth more than a passing glance if you’re looking for a classic that will stand out in a crowd.