Well, I guess I have heard of a Puma but if one asked me what it looked like, I would have been hard-pressed to offer a description – I’m more familiar with Puma shoes. Anyway, when first catching a glimpse of this 1979 Puma GT 1600, I was impressed! Nice lines and balanced proportions define this Brazilian two-seater – I think I’d like a closer look. Found in Miami, Florida, this Puma is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $21,500.
A Brazilian company, Puma Automóveis Ltda. was formed in 1963 and still exists today. Puma went through some dormant years where it ceded its production rights but it has been back in control and producing cars in San Paolo for about the last ten years. The production model lineup has been varied over the years and a truck was even part of Puma’s offerings. Based on VW Karmann Ghia or Brasilia underpinnings, VW was the engine supplier when this car was produced. Total 1979 Puma production was about 3,500 units which included, besides this GT 1600, the GTE, GTS, and the GTB models.
Different people will see different design influences in this Puma. I see a bit of Datsun 240Z in its stylish lines but what I really see, and like, is the clean and uncluttered flair. And it’s not just the existential balance, it’s the overall condition too. Nothing is out of place with its fiberglass body or appears to need attention. The deep offset of the wheels, and the oversized tires, project a restrained sense of aggressiveness – not in your face mind you, just a competency in road manners.
Now, the performance provided by a 1600CC flat, four-cylinder VW engine will probably be milder than this GT’s projected image, but the seller adds, “It moves pretty quick! It has a 4-speed gearbox. Has a nice exhaust that sounds really nice…with the rear engine the Puma has a really nice sport handling to it“. The odometer reads 1,869 miles but there’s no claim to that recording.
The interior is simple, clean, and functional. The outer bolster of the driver’s seat is showing some typical ingress/egress leather upholstery wear but that’s the only noted issue – and it’s minor. Surrounded by material similar to upholstery are clear and easy-to-read white-faced gauges. The interior environment appears to be pretty roomy, one that can accommodate tallish drivers and the lack of a center console makes the interior look even less constrained. Of note, this Puma is A/C equipped!
There’s no denying this two-seater’s condition, I would be hard-pressed to issue this Puma a single demerit. There’s more to see with this walkaround and operational video. My thought is that this car would be a fun and reasonable buy, what says you?
These are handsome and well engineered cars. Very close to driving a Karmann Ghia, and are a bit quieter. Looks like a factory assembled one. They tend to be better quality.
One just showed up on BAT. Take a look at the motor. This one is much cleaner. That is why I think it was finished by the factory distributor.
To me should be worth the same as a Karmann Ghia
I LIKE it!
Looks really good.. cool ride,but make it a wild ride by putting in a Porsche engine! Great look great sound.. Ahh nice to dream!! 😊🐻🇺🇸
Good looking car, turn on that AC and it might slow it down quite a bit. Looks well built and as long as performance isn’t a big issue drive it and I bet reactions would be nothing but positive.
My favored answer to the Porsche bubble…
That lede picture made me think “what have you done to that poor Porsche”, but then I saw it was a Puma and all was forgiven. Beautiful example!
Ahoi
This Puma Gt is one with the more “later” design. You can see it with the taillights. In my knowledge Puma cars were never ever kit cars. Small sportscarfactorys in brazil have something to do with importing laws in the past. There are some others like Adamo, Miura, Bianco, Santa Matilde and so on. Most of them were based on VW, because VW is the biggest carproducer in brazil. I realy belive that Puma was, well still exists, the biggest sportscarproducer in brazil. The more earlyer Puma GTs are more expensive. This one seems quite good, but it isn`t cheap. But it can be also a problem to find a original one in brazil. And how complicated it is to import a car from brazil – I have no idea…
Best regards,
Till J.
I´d agree with that. The early Puma was a more elegant design than this 1980s version, rather similar to a pre-73 911 vs impact bumper model. Quite well done, not tragic, but just not as pure. More background on Puma here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puma_(car_manufacturer)
There was another VW sports car offering in Brazil called SP2, which I think was a VW factory model.
This Puma is nicely different and good value for a VW freak.
Hi
Yes, the VW SP2 was a original VW or better, a original Volkswagen do Brasil. It was not expoted to Europe. If it was anywhere exported, I don`t know…
Best regards,
Till J.
I owned an earlier one in 1980. Never were a kit car— good many were imported sans engine for import regs, VW engines installed locally. VERY light car. I was driving south of Salem, rainy day, passing and 18 wheeler looking up at the lug nuts when I hit a puddle. Wide tires, no weight = the very definition of aqua planing!
Owned one about 1980. They were not a kit car, but were imported sans engine for import regs, engines installed locally. VERY light car (fiberglass body) wide tires. Driving south of Salem on a rainy day, passing an 18 wheeler looking up at the lug nuts. Hit a puddle at freeway speed, the very definition of aqua planing! Heart check moment…..
Very nice. I would be sorely tempted to bore out to 2 liters+. and put on dual 44s with an extractor exhaust at 1 3/4 “ .
It looks like some model of 70s era Mercedes taillights were adopted.
Much better looking than any Porsche since the 904!
I’d love to see one with a Corvair 140.
Exactly. My thoughts too…
Why anyone would spend $$$$ for a FauxPo Speedster replica when you can have one of these is beyond me. This is its own car, factory built, very handsome and practical. I would upgrade the motor down the road..a 1776 with twin carbs would work wonderfully. I would love one of these if I parted with my 56 Porsche coupe and the wife’s 1968 912….this would be a lovely, unusual and reasonable replacement..certainly not a Porsche but a lovely VW based factory built GT..Think I like this??
Very nice with California plates, if you are looking for a Fiat Jolly they have 5 listed.
I own a 1984 convertible GTC. I am now installing a small turbo and 1900cc heads. It should give it plenty of power. Very fun to drive. Reminds me a lot of and Alpha Romeo spider I used to own. I also own a 1973 SP2. 1700 cc engine. The Puma has a better driving position between the two.
I was a classic car dealer in Durban, South Africa, back in the nineteen nineties and a fellow wanted to trade in a 1981/2 Puma convertible. Although Puma had a factory in Durban they didn’t manufacture a convertible so I figured it must have been a chop job and declined to do a deal. Only many years later I discovered, through the current owner who had Brazilian paperwork, that proved that it was a Brazilian made car and was an original convertible. Ken Tilly. UK
240Z? I C a 911 frnt meeting the Dino back.
Very nice. I trust Brazil…but would only go 15 – 17,5$ on the white above.
If scored try’n figure on how to get some IDAs on (FI). How to lower, beef suspension etc and go find some SCCA events…
I’d love have this with a 2010 in it