Puma GTE
The Puma GTE stands as the most iconic sports car to emerge from Brazil's surprisingly vibrant automotive industry, a car that proved sophisticated design and genuine driving pleasure could be created outside the traditional European and American sports car establishment. Designed and built by Puma Veículos e Motores in São Paulo, the GTE represented the pinnacle of the company's production, combining striking Italian-influenced styling with the robust mechanical simplicity of Volkswagen components.
Puma was founded in 1964 by Genaro Malzoni, a Brazilian industrialist with a passion for motorsport. Early Puma models used DKW (later Volkswagen do Brasil) mechanical components beneath handmade fiberglass bodies, and the company quickly established a reputation for building the most desirable Brazilian-made sports cars. The GTE, introduced in 1969, represented a significant step forward in both design sophistication and production quality.
The body was a revelation for the Brazilian market. Designed with clear nods to contemporary European GT cars — particularly the lines of the Ferrari Dino and Maserati Ghibli — the GTE's fiberglass bodywork was beautifully proportioned with a long hood, fastback roofline, and flowing fender lines. The build quality of the fiberglass work was remarkably good, with tight panel gaps and a quality of finish that rivaled many European producers.
Mechanically, the GTE utilized Volkswagen's air-cooled flat-four engine, typically in 1600cc form producing approximately 65-80 horsepower depending on specification and year. While modest by international standards, the engine's low weight and rear-mounted position gave the Puma lively handling characteristics. The air-cooled VW engine also offered the crucial advantages of simplicity and reliability in a country where specialist sports car mechanics were scarce and parts availability was limited.
The chassis was based on the VW Karmann Ghia platform, shortened and modified to suit the Puma's sportier proportions. Four-wheel independent suspension provided handling that exceeded the mechanical specification, and the light fiberglass body kept overall weight to approximately 800 kg. Later versions received the VW SP2's larger engine and other improvements.
Approximately 25,000 Puma vehicles of all types were produced during the company's existence, with the GTE being the most popular and recognized model. Export versions were sold in Europe and the United States in small numbers, where they attracted attention for their unexpected visual sophistication. Today, the Puma GTE is a cherished collector car in Brazil, with the best examples recognized as genuine automotive art.
Fiberglass body doesn't rust but check for accident repairs, stress cracks, and UV degradation. VW mechanical components are universally available and inexpensive. Check the shortened chassis for stress cracks at modification points. Electrical systems are basic VW and easily maintained. Finding examples outside Brazil is difficult. Import from Brazil may require specialist shipping and customs assistance.
Exact GTE production numbers not systematically recorded. Puma produced approximately 25,000 vehicles total across all models from 1964 to the early 1990s. Built in São Paulo, Brazil.