In 1970, the PUMA 1500 GT was first exposed in an international event, the Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville, Spain, and in the same year, had its engine capacity increased to 1600 – known as 1600GTE. Chassis based on the Volkswagen Brasilia, side windows, flashes above the front bumper of the same shape of the headlights.

The Puma GTE, the most famous sports “made in Brazil” at the time, was produced with fiberglass body and Volkswagen “boxer” engine mechanic between 1970 and 1980. This model was based on the Puma GT, the letter “E” added to the nomenclature means “export” or “Europe”, according to other sources. This was the more successful model for all and higher-volume production of the brand Puma (8705 units).

The Puma with four-cylinder engine was criated on a farm in Matão, São Paulo, by Gennaro “Rino” Malzoni. These cars were distributed: in Brazil, Uruguay (first vehicle exported), Argentina, Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, United States, South Africa (local production), Japan, Italy, Greece, Germany and the Middle East.

The GT models from 1968 and GTE until 1976 was known as “Puma Tubarão” (Shark Puma) due to the air intake for the engine look like the gills of a shark.

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In Detail

submitted by	hydrenxz
type	Series Production Car
production years	1970 – 1980
released at	1970 Ibero-American Fair of Seville
built at	Brazil, Other
body stylist	Rino Malzoni
interior designer	Rino Malzoni
production	8800
engine	Flat-4
valvetrain	OHV
displacement	1584 cc / 96.660004 in³
compression	7.8000002:1
power	52.200001 kw / 70 bhp @ 5200 rpm
specific output	44.19 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	93.33 bhp per tonne
torque	120.3 nm / 88.699997 ft lbs
body / frame	fiberglass
driven wheels	RWD
curb weight	750 kg / 1653.75 lbs
wheelbase	2150 mm / 84.599998 in
length	4000 mm / 157.5 in
width	1665 mm / 65.599998 in
height	1200 mm / 47.200001 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
top speed	~150 kph / 93.150002 mph
fuel capacity	40 litres or 10.56 gal.