1978 Puma GTB

“ This is a super rare car in UK. Built exclusively for the South American market, this is believed the only one in the UK. ”
The combination of simple American mechanicals and a fibreglass body makes for a DIYer’s dream – and that’s without factoring in its astonishingly good condition; this is a classic muscle car you can show with confidence.
Background
Built for the South American market using Brazilian Chevrolet components, the Puma GTB is powered by a Brazil-built version of that firm’s 4.1-litre straight-six engine.

Based on a prototype named the Puma GTO, the name changed to the GTB (for Gran Turismo Brazil) when it reached production two years later in 1973.

Despite the use of fibreglass panels and well-proven and locally-sourced mechanical components, features such as a leather interior, electric windows, and air-conditioning helped drive the price up to the point where the GTB was Brazil’s most expensive car from 1973 through to 1984.

Yet even that didn’t stop the local modifying ‘em, but then when your sportscar’s engine gives you access to the might of the North American tuning community, what else are you going to do?

The Series 1 cars totaled just 701 units, with the Series 2 adding another 888. A Series 3 was produced, which ran on sugarcane alcohol, while the S4 added a turbocharger.

Puma Vehicles eventually went bust and was bought out by Alfa Metais, who built a facelifted GTB in limited numbers until 1993.

Overview
This Puma GTB left the factory in 1978 and didn’t arrive here in the UK until 2025: You see, the seller has a contact in Brazil and had asked him to let him know if one crossed his path.

Attracted by the combination of an understated design that references both the American cars he loves (he’s a member of the All American Auto Club) and classic bruisers like the Aston Martin Vantage, given how few Series 1 cars had been built, he wasn’t holding his breath.

And yet this beauty turned up and a deal was struck. Number 519 in the production run, it arrived on these shores only last year, and the seller set about registering, a process he relished.

Only being sold because he’s moving house and needs to clear the decks, ‘XUX 769S’ is believed to be the only example of its kind in the UK – and even the North American continent is thought to contain just one Series 2.

Estimate £25,000 - £35,000

View The Current Bid Price HERE