The Puma began as a DKW-Malzoni, built by Rino Malzoni of Matão, in Sao Paulo sometime in 1964. He was an avid race car driver and coming up in the ranks. He built this straight-3, two-stroke engine with a light fiberglass body.
They became so popular that he could not make enough to satisfy the demand so he started a manufacturing company and within 2 years went from producing 35 per year to over 100. They were made for 3 years (1964-1967), but the import taxes and restrictions put a stop to production. Enter Volkwagen and the Karmann-Ghia with air cooled rear engine. The new composite vehicle was named Puma. The Spyder (convertible version) came out in 1970 and the GTB (using a front mounted Chevy straight-6) was not exported.
They became so popular that he could not make enough to satisfy the demand so he started a manufacturing company and within 2 years went from producing 35 per year to over 100. They were made for 3 years (1964-1967), but the import taxes and restrictions put a stop to production. Enter Volkwagen and the Karmann-Ghia with air cooled rear engine. The new composite vehicle was named Puma. The Spyder (convertible version) came out in 1970 and the GTB (using a front mounted Chevy straight-6) was not exported.
I am definitely a cat lover and as such look at the above door handle and envision either a cat's upper teeth or front paw in the design....
