Description
The Puma GT is a sports car from Brazil, originally produced by Puma Indústria de Veículos SA between the 1960s and 1990s. Known for its unique design and local engineering, the Puma GT became one of the most iconic Brazilian sports cars, offering a combination of style, agility, and practicality. The GT was especially popular due to its affordability and use of readily available Volkswagen components, which made it accessible to a wider audience.
The early Puma GT models, launched in 1967, were built on a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia platform and powered by a Volkswagen air-cooled flat-four engine. This engine, mounted in the rear, produced around 60 to 75 horsepower, depending on the specific model and tuning. The Puma GT was lightweight, so even with this modest power, it offered spirited performance and impressive handling, ideal for Brazil’s winding roads.
The car’s styling was heavily influenced by European sports cars, particularly Italian designs, giving the Puma GT a distinctive, exotic look with sleek lines, a low-profile stance, and a fastback silhouette. Its fiberglass body construction kept it light, which further enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. Over time, the GT evolved to include different engines, such as the Ford inline-four in later models, and slight design modifications, maintaining its appeal and relevance in the Brazilian market.
In the 1970s, the Puma GT gained attention outside of Brazil, with some units exported to other countries. However, due to import restrictions and market changes, production eventually ceased in the 1990s.
Today, the Puma GT is considered a collectible classic, celebrated as a unique part of automotive history and a symbol of Brazilian innovation in the sports car segment. It remains popular among enthusiasts in South America and beyond, who appreciate its distinctive design, heritage, and performance capabilities.