The Volkwagen SP2 was developed by Volkswagen do Brasil particularly for the Brazilian market as a domestically produced sports activities automobile. This was critically essential as Brazilian automotive imports had been all however banned on the time, and sports activities vehicles had been in brief provide.
The SP2 relies on the Brazilian Volkswagen 1600 Variant, with energy coming from a rear-mounted 1.7 liter air-cooled flat-four able to 65 bhp. It wasn’t a very quick automobile, however many house owners have since utilized modifications and even swapped in new engines seeking higher efficiency.
Quick Info – The Brazilian Volkwagen SP2
- The Volkwagen SP2 began out as “Venture X” in 1970. It was developed to be a smooth sports activities automobile that might revolutionize the considerably boring status VW had in Brazil on the time.
- The event price range was low, because of this they used as many pre-existing VW components as potential together with using the Volkswagen 1600 Variant platform and the well-known VW flat-four engine with its matching transmission.
- Over the course of the 1973 to 1976 manufacturing run simply over 10,000 SP2s had been made, they’re now extremely prized in Brazil as classics, and a small quantity have been exported.
- The automobile you see right here wants some work to get it again into positive fettle, it’s presently primarily based within the Netherlands and it has simply 23,678 kms (14,712 miles) on the odometer.
Volkswagen do Brasil
Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda. is a subsidiary of the principle Volkswagen Group, it was established in Brazil again in 1953, simply eight years after WWII.
The styling of the VW SP2 has been successful it accolades for many years, that lengthy entrance finish accommodates loads of helpful trunk house too.
The corporate would shortly develop into the biggest and most essential automaker in Brazil, initially constructing the Volkwagen Beetle (Kind 1) from components kits despatched over from Germany.
For twenty-four years VW had the best gross sales of any automaker in Brazil, they offered over 20 million examples of the Kind 1 and it turned a typical sight on the streets of Brazilian cities and cities.
In the present day the Brazilian VW subsidiary stays one of many largest automakers within the area, supplying all the things from small compact vehicles to giant 4×4 pickup vans for the native market.
The Volkswagen SP2
Within the late Nineteen Sixties Rudolf Wilhelm Karl Leiding took over as CEO of Volkswagen do Brasil, one among his adjustments was to launch “Venture X” to develop a locally-designed sports activities automobile for the Brazilian market.
The price range was restricted so pre-existing components had been used the place potential, the platform of the Volkswagen 1600 Variant was used (additionally much like the VW Kind 3), together with the marginally bigger 1.7 liter flat-four mated to the VW 4-speed gearbox.
The inside was a step up in comparison with a lot of VW Brazil’s different choices, with a woodgrain sprint and equipment knob and a sporting rally-style steering wheel.
Suspension is unbiased in any respect 4 wheels, as it’s with the Kind 1, Kind 2, and Kind 3, and the automobile has drum brakes in any respect 4 wheels.
Though the 1.7 liter engine is a little bit bigger and extra highly effective than the 1.6 liter unit, it’s nonetheless removed from a high-output engine. It produces simply 65 bhp which resulted in a 0 – 60 mph time of 17.4 seconds and a prime velocity of 161 km/h – simply over 100 mph.
As one among only a few sports activities vehicles out there in Brazil on the time, the SP2 was widespread regardless of its comparatively low efficiency.
A cottage trade sprang as much as assist enhance the automobile’s efficiency, Brazilians had already been racing Beetles for years by this level they usually knew tips on how to extract each ounce of efficiency from the air-cooled flat-fours.
With complete gross sales of 10,205 between 1973 and 1976 the SP2 wasn’t an enormous gross sales success for VW, and though a extra highly effective prototype Volkswagen SP3 was developed it was by no means put into manufacturing.
Above Video: This brief movie tells the story of a passionate Volkswagen SP2 proprietor in South Africa. It consists of loads of driving footage to offer you a good suggestion of what the automobile is wish to drive.
In the present day the VW SP2 is extensively beloved in Brazil they usually’re thought-about extremely collectible. A small quantity have been exported they usually’re main sources of curiosity at automobile reveals – most individuals have by no means seen one and even heard of the mannequin earlier than.
The 1975 Volkswagen SP2 Proven Right here
The automobile you see right here is an SP2 from the penultimate yr of manufacturing, 1975. This car is completed in crimson with matching crimson wheels, and it has a black and crimson material inside with black carpeting all through.
With 65 bhp the 1.7 liter VW flat-four wasn’t a powerhouse, however on the plus facet it’s remarkably straightforward to get spare components for it.
Though the automobile runs and drives it does now want some restorative work, there are a few small rust patches and different areas of the physique that want some consideration, and the inside wants work too.
Though it doesn’t seem like it wants a full restoration it’s a undertaking automobile that may want work, and any bidders could be clear eyed and able to get the instruments out ought to they win the public sale.
Should you’d wish to learn extra about this uncommon Volkwagen or register to bid you’ll be able to go to the itemizing right here on Automobile & Traditional. It’s presently being auctioned dwell on-line with loads of time left to bid.
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