Manufactured during a time when importing new car parts to Brazil was more than a challenge, the Puma 1500 GT is very much a exercise in automotive creation in the very best sense of the term.
Based on a rear-engine Karmann Ghia chassis using chrome pieces and details from various sports cars from the 1960s, one might say it’s a ‘Greatest Hits’ album from the era.
Having spent many a decade being pristinely taken care of in a garage as part of the collection of a Brazilian collector, the car was imported to France in 2021 and has since then been extensively worked on.
Manage to lower yourself enough to get inside this gorgeous Puma 1500 GT and it will reward you with a cabin that’s ready to hit the open road in style.
Beautifully retrimmed leather adorns the dashboard and seats while a brightly coloured roof provides the perfect contrast to the darker parts of the cockpit.
Thanks to the use of covers especially in the footwells, the original carpet is in excellent shape presenting itself as it would have done when brand new. The steering wheel is also original according to the owner which is complemented by strikingly shiny wood accents running along the dashboard.
The Puma logo which is not often seen on the European continent decorates every button throughout the interior including the elegantly sculpted gear shifter.
Leap from the low-slung driver’s seat and you’ll come face to face with the gorgeous shape of a hand-built sports car with remnants of some of the most iconic models from the 1960s.
A Ferrari 275 GTB-esque front end and a rear profile akin to that of a Camaro outline an air of Mustang Fastback that can be seen in the sweeping roofline and gills. The car's good looks also stem from a very low roofline (1m21).
The gills placed behind the B-pillar are in fact what give this car its nickname, ‘gran tubarao’ or big shark in English.
Finished in a subtle and elegant cream colour, this Puma is an excellent model. It is complimented by beefy Firestone tyres which still have plenty of tread and wheels in overall very good condition bar a small mark on the rear left one.
Travelling the seven seas and being rear-engined has given the Puma a few minor battle scars such as a crack in the rear bumper and a few chips on the boot lid. Slight corrosion is present on the jacking points, but the rest of the car seems very much clear and is a testament to good maintenance and care.
As proof to the great maintenance the car has received throughout its life, notably in recent years, the sale includes a tailored car cover as well as replacement windscreen, rear and side windows.bBH5b6cxXBsY6YeATFfJ3S7ZShhJtZjnHgxOHoXQ.jpeg449.6 KB
The Mechanics
1.5-litre boxer engine
Starts and runs very well
Lots of work done under the surface in recent years
With new spark plugs and consistent oil changes both for the engine and gearbox, this Puma 1500 GT starts and runs just as it should.
The 1.5-litre boxer engine sat behind the rear axle burbles beautifully on idle while it will quickly start singing on power. Weighing in at only 700 kilos, this is a very light car indeed, the torque of the 1500 boxer engine is plentiful enough for a pleasant driving experience.
Elsewhere, the suspension setup and chassis have been extensively worked on since the current owner bought the car in 2021. The geometry and alignment of the car has been optimised while the chassis has been coated with anti-rust protection.
Not only is this Puma a very rare model, it is also in great condition and surely one of, if not, the only 1500 GT of its kind in Europe.
The specification may be subtle but that surely doesn’t stop the general public from approaching the car with a long list of questions.
The owner mentions how often it is mistaken for an Aston Martin or Ferrari. You'll have to fuel up at night if you don't like to draw crowds!
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