Puma GT 4100 V8
The Puma GT represents one of the most remarkable success stories in automotive history from outside the traditional car-making nations. Designed by Genaro 'Rino' Malzoni and produced by Puma Veiculos e Motores in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the GT was a fiberglass-bodied sports car that drew admiring glances wherever it appeared — including from the international automotive press, which was uniformly surprised to learn it came from South America.
The Puma GT's story begins in the mid-1960s when Malzoni, an Italian-Brazilian with a passion for motorsport, began building sports car bodies on Volkswagen platforms for Brazilian race series. The early DKW-engined Pumas showed promise, but the arrival of General Motors do Brasil's Chevrolet Opala platform provided the foundation for a genuinely capable sports car.
The GT 4100, named for its 4.1-liter Chevrolet inline-six engine (essentially the Brazilian-built version of the Chevrolet 250), produced approximately 195 horsepower in Brazilian-market specification — enough to propel the lightweight 980 kg fiberglass body to 200 km/h. The independent rear suspension, using a modified Chevrolet Corvair setup with trailing arms and coil springs, gave the Puma handling that was genuinely accomplished by international standards.
The body design was the Puma's greatest asset. Malzoni created flowing lines that were compared favorably to contemporary Italian sports cars, with a low nose, sweeping fastback roofline, and muscular rear haunches. The fiberglass construction kept weight down and eliminated rust concerns in Brazil's humid climate. Pop-up headlights on later versions added further visual drama.
The interior was more modest, reflecting the economic realities of Brazilian manufacturing. Instruments were sourced from the Chevrolet Opala parts bin, and the trim, while serviceable, lacked the refinement of European sports cars. However, the driving experience — characterized by strong engine torque, light weight, and responsive handling — more than compensated.
The Puma GT was produced in various forms from 1968 to the mid-1980s, with a total production estimated at several thousand units. It was one of the few Brazilian cars to be exported, with small numbers reaching Europe and even the United States. In Brazil, the Puma remains a national automotive treasure, regularly appearing at concours events and commanding strong prices in the collector market.
Fiberglass body eliminates rust concerns but check for star cracks, delamination, and poor repairs. The Chevrolet inline-six is robust and parts are readily available in Brazil. Check the independent rear suspension geometry — modified Corvair components can develop play. Verify the chassis/frame for corrosion as it is steel. Interior trim and switches are from Chevrolet Opala and are available. Imported examples outside Brazil are rare and command premium prices.
Produced by Puma Veiculos e Motores in Sao Paulo. Fiberglass body built on modified Chevrolet Opala platform. Earlier versions used DKW and VW engines. The 4100 variant used the Brazilian-built Chevrolet 250ci inline-six. Independent rear suspension adapted from Chevrolet Corvair components. Designed by Genaro 'Rino' Malzoni, an Italian-Brazilian. Small numbers exported to Europe and USA.