Description
Puma, originally established as Sociedade de Automóveis Lumimari Ltda in 1964, was the brainchild of four men – Rino Malzoni, Luiz Roberto Alves da Costa, Milton Masteguin, and Mário César de Camargo Filho. Puma Cars gained popularity for producing lightweight sports cars and kit cars. The company was based in São Paulo, Brazil, and produced various models, including the Puma GT.
The Puma GT was one of the most famous models produced by Puma Cars. It was a sleek, two-door sports car that featured a fiberglass body mounted on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis. The design was reminiscent of European sports cars of the era, with a low profile and aggressive styling.
Puma Cars gained recognition not only in Brazil but also in other parts of the world, including South Africa. In South Africa, the Puma GT became quite popular among automotive enthusiasts due to its sporty design and relatively affordable price compared to imported sports cars.
In the late 1970s, Puma Cars established a manufacturing plant in Durban, South Africa, to produce their sports cars locally. This move allowed Puma to cater directly to the South African market and reduce costs associated with importing fully built cars.
The Puma GT and other models from Puma Cars enjoyed a loyal following in South Africa and other markets throughout the 1970s and 1980s. However, as emissions and safety regulations became more stringent, Puma Cars faced challenges in keeping up with compliance requirements, leading to a decline in production and sales.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Puma Cars ceased production due to financial difficulties and changes in the automotive industry. However, the Puma GT and other models remain cherished among collectors and automotive enthusiasts, showcasing a unique chapter in South Africa's automotive history.
