Discover the Rare Brazilian 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria Sports Car

Unique ONES - Exploring the world of unique classic cars often leads to fascinating discoveries, and the FNM 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT is no exception. This intriguing sports car captured our attention during a casual browsing session on Pinterest, sparking a journey to uncover its origins and story. What we found was a compelling blend of Brazilian design and Italian engineering, rooted in the collaboration between Fúria Auto Esporte Ltda. and FNM (Fábrica Nacional de Motores), a Brazilian automotive company from the 1970s.

1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT, a sportscar prototype built by Toni Bianco for FNM. (Picture from: Classicandrecreationsportscars)

According to the Autocult, the Fúria GT stands as a testament to the fusion of Brazilian and Italian automotive expertise. This unique collaboration began when Alfa Romeo, the renowned Italian car manufacturer, acquired FNM in 1968. Before this acquisition, FNM was primarily known as a state-run truck manufacturer, with operations centered in Duque de Caxias, near Rio de Janeiro. The acquisition paved the way for an exciting cross-continental partnership.

1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT, a sportscar prototype built by Toni Bianco for FNM. (Picture from: Greatvintagemotorsfromtheworld)

The mastermind behind the Fúria GT was Ottorino 'Toni' Bianco, an Italian-born automotive designer who had established himself in São Paulo, Brazil. Since the mid-1950s, Bianco had been building race cars through his company, Fúria Auto Esporte Ltda. His expertise and passion for automotive design made him the perfect candidate to spearhead this ambitious project.

1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT, a sportscar prototype built by Toni Bianco for FNM. (Picture from: Frp70)

Bianco's company had already made a name for itself in the Brazilian racing scene by the 1970s, producing several Fúria race cars. These cars, powered by a variety of engines including Chevy, BMW, Ferrari, and even a V12 Lamborghini Miura engine, were known for their competitive edge. One notable Fúria car was equipped with a 2150cc Alfa Romeo engine, producing 138 horsepower, and featured advanced components like a tubular chassis, triangular suspension arms, and Hewland Girling four-wheel disc brakes.

1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT, a sportscar prototype built by Toni Bianco for FNM. (Picture from: Classicandrecreationsportscars)

Between 1970 and 1971, these Fúria race cars garnered significant attention and achieved respectable results in national championships. A standout moment was when an Alfa-powered Fúria competed in the Brazilian 6-Hours endurance race, finishing in an impressive fifth place against formidable opponents like the Ferrari 512s and Porsche 910s.

These successes did not go unnoticed. Comionauto, an FNM dealer based in São Paulo, approached Bianco with a proposition to create a sports car for FNM. Bianco accepted the challenge and set to work designing the Fúria GT. This stunning sports car was based on a slightly shortened FNM 2150 mechanical platform, featuring enhancements like two dual carburetors and an increased engine compression ratio of 9.5:1, resulting in a power output of 130 horsepower.

1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT, a sportscar prototype built by Toni Bianco for FNM. (Picture from: LexiaCarBrasil)

The 1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT prototype showcased Bianco's dedication to detail and innovation. It boasted a host of luxury features including complete instrumentation, a dashboard-mounted center console, individual front seats with adjustable headrests, leather upholstery, green glass windows, floor rugs, and distinctive gullwing doors. The prototype's body was hand-modeled in steel, but the production version was intended to be made of reinforced plastic fiberglass. The plan was ambitious: to produce 12 units per month.

1971 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT, a sportscar prototype built by Toni Bianco for FNM. (Picture from: LexiaCarBrasil)

Unfortunately, the 130-horsepower Fúria GT never reached mass production. The car made a public appearance at the VIII Salão do Automóvel in 1972, but for reasons still unknown, the project did not progress further. The Alfa Romeo emblem on the car's grille remains a mystery to this day. Despite the venture's premature end, Toni Bianco continued his work, eventually launching the Bianco in 1974, his first car to bear his name.

The FNM 'Alfa Romeo' Fúria GT remains a captivating chapter in automotive history, illustrating the potential of international collaboration and the enduring spirit of innovation. This unique car, with its blend of Brazilian craftsmanship and Italian engineering, continues to fascinate car enthusiasts and historians alike, reminding us of the endless possibilities when creative minds from different backgrounds come together. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEXIACARBRASIL | AUTOCULT-MODELS | ALFABB | BANDEIRAQUADRICULADA | FRP70 | CLASSICANDRECREATIONSPORTSCAR | RETROAUTO ]

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