Puma GTV Is A Classic VW Beetle Pretending To Be An Italian 1970s Supercar Racer

It may look like a racecar but is based on the humble underpinnings of the people's car

Although it might look like a competitor to the legendary Ford GT40, the car pictured here is actually a 1983 kit car with a fiberglass body that sits on top of the classic VW Beetle chassis. The GTV comes from a company called Puma, based in Rome, and features a Gulf-themed livery. And the best part? You could own this beauty for less than €20k.

We came across the rare 1983 Puma GTV in a CataWiki auction that immediately caught our attention. The GTV's low-slung body, complete with 1970s supercar-like styling cues that reminded us of our childhood toy cars, as well as the flashy canopy that opens upwards to provide access to the two-seater cabin, piqued our curiosity.

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While most of us associate the Puma nameplate with Ford's affordable coupe and small crossover models, it was also the name of an Italian kit car company established back in the ’70s. Although the company ceased operations after its factory burned down in 1993, there are still plenty of examples of the seven different sportscars and off-roaders it produced.

The Puma GTV is actually a licensed version of the UK-built Nova Eagle, featuring a flashy fiberglass body mounted on the Beetle's chassis and powered by the same air-cooled engine located at the rear. Although the engine has been tweaked to provide slightly more power, its performance cannot match the exotic aesthetics of the car, nor does it justify the presence of a Ferrari emblem on the steering wheel.

According to the listing, this particular Puma GTV is located in Cervinara, Italy, and was registered in 1983. The car has clocked 12,660 km (7,8967 miles) and is reportedly in good condition both mechanically and cosmetically, although it requires servicing. Minor issues noted in the listing include some engine oil leaks, minor electrical system problems, some wear on the fiberglass bodywork, and no-penetrating rust.

The rare Beetle-based supercar is estimated to be worth between €21,000-23,500 ($23,080-25,827 at current exchange rates), though the highest bid at the time of writing was €18,000 ($19,787) with less than three hours remaining.

Would you be interested in adding this rare piece of kit car history to your collection?