Two red Pumas, both posted at the Cohort at almost the same time: the CC Effect is alive and well. The one on the left was posted by S. Forrest, and found in Ontario; the one on the right by Eric Clem, presumably in Washington. Looks like importing Pumas from Brazil is getting popular. It’s easy to see why, for a VW fan, as these are pretty much the ultimate expression of the classic VW air-cooled chassis. Let’s take a closer look.
The Puma was built from 1966 through 1985, using a fiberglass body supposedly inspired by the Lamborghini Miura, and sitting on a Karmann Ghia 1500 chassis. This is the older of the two; its chrome bumper dates it to pre-1977. Engine size was increased to 1600cc, and various higher-than stock power levels were available.
This one is a GTI, from 1980 or later, with its revised bodywork and the bumpers, with cast ribbed sides, mimicking the Porsche 911’s distinctive 5 mph bumpers in looks, if not in function. By this time, the Puma was riding on a the VW Brasilia chassis, as the Karmann Ghis was well out of production. Actually, after 1982, it used the Brazilian VW Type III station wagon (Variant) platform. As it is, those two are easy to mix up, as we did here at CC once.
Puma tried a few other products, including a coupe with a Chevrolet six engine in front, but the 1980s were a difficult time economically in Brazil, and in 1986, Puma went bankrupt. Total production is not readily available, but it’s nice to see a few have made it to North America, undoubtedly in loving hands.
Wow, gorgeous and exciting looks! Were Pumas built by VW Brasil or by an independent?
Surely Puma owners gave their engines the full air-cooled VW performance treatments. These two have different exhausts, what do they imply?
…That there is a virtually endless array of aftermarket parts for aircooled VW’s. The quad-tip exhaust is refered to as “Monza” and is still available from a variety of makers. The Puma itself is basically a factory kit car and probably came with a variety of exhausts over the years. The pictured cars almost certainly have hotrod engines, if you can afford to import one you can afford a couple of grand for an engine swap.
I did a little research into Puma. Puma was a small scale manufacturer based out of Sao Paulo state in the south of Brazil. I understand the cars were sold in somewhat of a kit form in the U.S., but in a complete state in Brazil.
Brazil has more of an auto manufacturing industry then many realize. Gurgel started out with modifying VW components but branched out over time. I’ve been to Brazil three times – last time in 2006, and you can see an occasional Gurgel cruising around.
Never heard of this but it actually looks good ! I see more Ferrari Dino than Lamborghini Miura though.
I thought the exact same thing.
I took the pics of the Puma on the road. Originally I saw the car from a distance and thought it was a Dino.
I agree, exactly.
Right down to the Cromodora wheels, that look like they belong on later 60’s-early 70’s Ferraris or Fiat Dino and GT coupes.
If they ARE real Cromodoras.
Also, THIS car is cool… not to be confused with the rubbish Ford Puma. lol
Lord almighty! Where can I find one?
Long time fan of vw based kits. Never saw one “in the fiberglass” before
Good find.
Cool find cant say Ive seen a live one though no doubt now I will.
These have been forbidden fruit for some time in the States. Recently, many can legally import them (over 25 year rule) and to me it is the best blend of VW aircooled simplicity and fantastic styling. A quasi-sports car with decent gas mileage, easy mechanical part availability, and a great footprint.
Puma bought VW pans and engines under a supply contract with VW. These were not kit cars, but some were imported into the US back in the day, missing wheels, tires, and drivetrains. This was to get around DOT and EPA regulations which came on strong in the US in the 1970s. They often were titled with the VIN of the donor car for the drivetrain. A fair number were imported to the US from about 1976 through the early 1980s. Most of the known examples in the US (there are forums and a registry) have been here for a long, long time.
Puma manufactured about 22,000 cars in São Paulo over about 20 years or so.
I see these all the time when I go to the library and peep the World Car Book.
The local library runs the 1968-1985 years… full reference volumes. What a TREAT to read if you’re a TRUE car person… plenty of pics, info on country of origin, and stats,
I saw a Puma, a later version, recently.,. it was a navy blue one.
Nice cars… practically an EVERYDAY exotic.
Puma first used DKW’s two-stroke engines and chassis (and was called DKW-GT Malzoni, named after its designer, Rino Malzoni) and moved on to use VW’s components after DKW-Brazil was taken over by VW (and all production of DKW models ceased by the end of 1967); from 1966 on it was called Puma GT, still with FWD.
Really a cool looking car, too bad they never were built factory with a steel body.
I know this is an old thread, but I just stumbled across it.
Growing up outside Toronto in the late 70s/early 80s, I remember there was a Puma dealership in Mississauga. I don’t remember ever going in, but I do remember seeing cars for sale outside.
So it looks like they were sold as running cars in Canada.