So you want the simplicity of a Volkswagen Beetle but an exotic looking body? There were plenty of kit cars that promised that in the 60’s and 70’s, but most had lots of rough edges and construction difficulties, and few had the “designed” feeling of a production built car once complete. Here, however, is an alternative. Produced in Brazil in various forms from 1967 until the mid 1980’s, this attractive coupe offered Volkswagen-based mechanicals within an attractive body. This one is located in Emeryville, California and is up for sale here on eBay, with a buy-it-now of $4,500 but lower offers are welcomed. The seller calls it a 1980 in the title of the auction, but a 1982 later in the description, so we’re not sure exactly what year it is.

We’ve posted about four Pumas previously here on Barn Finds, three of which were the rear-engined Volkswagen powered GTs like this one. I suppose you could think of this coupe as a poor man’s Porsche, with the flat four in the rear and some performance modifications. The original GTs were based on Karmann Ghia platforms, but this later GTI was based on a VW Brasilia platform, which was sold in Brasil as an intended replacement for the Beetle. As you can see, the tail lights are missing some components, so you’re going to have to find some. Here’s an example where a little detective work goes a long way. If you were looking for Puma lenses, there’s a set here on eBay for $249.99 + $39.99 shipping from Brazil. Ouch. On the other hand, if you look for a tail light supplier for the Brasilia, here’s some lenses for $R 29 each, which works out to about $7.33 each at today’s exchange rate. I know which ones I’d be ordering!

As the seller tells us in their somewhat confusing description, the fiberglass body has some rough spots, and you can see some cracks, probably from impact, in the right front and left rear of the body. The right front is the worst, and will take some work to make it right. I’m glad to see that all the glass looks intact and there’s even a sunroof.

While the interior is still pretty plain, it’s a lot nicer than any VW-based kit car I remember and the gauges and switch gear appear to be in an organized layout. I don’t know if the wooden steering wheel is stock, but it livens up the blackness of the interior nicely. I could certainly live with this interior on a daily basis!

While the seller’s description is almost completely useless (read it to see what I mean) as far as telling us about the car, they do mention that the engine will fire up but not keep running. Being a Volkswagen flat four, I can’t believe it’s going to be a difficult fix. There is what I think is an oil cooler in a very vulnerable position underneath the car that I’d want to relocate, but I don’t think I’d change anything else off the bat. Imagine the economy of a Beetle with the looks of a small exotic; I’d sign up for that! How about you?