Lorena GT, one of forgotten 1970s Brazilian-made sportscars

Forgotten ONES - Brazil is a country located at the southern tip of the American continent, which sometimes escapes the attention of world automotive enthusiasts as one of major players in the world's automotive because this country has many automotive manufacturers. Like before some of them have discussed by us. So, on this occasion, we will discuss another Brazilian-made sports car that was produced in the late 1960s to early 1970s, whose its shape really caught our attention.

The Lorena GT which was first launched in Brazil in 1968, is also touted as one of the pioneers in the production of extraordinary vehicles based on the Volkswagen platform. (Picture from: HistoriaSobrerodas)

The mentioned car above is a classic sports coupé named Lorena GT which was first launched in Brazil in 1968. Despite being produced in a relatively short time, this sports car is one of the pioneers in the production of extraordinary vehicles based on the Volkswagen platform. No wonder if then those sports coupés were widely used in races in Brazil at that time.

The Lorena GT has two seats, unique doors that go through the roof and rectangular headlights (taken from the VW 1600) protected by an acrylic fairing. (Picture from: Cruzeiro Do Sul)

It was also stated that this Lorena GT, known as a Brazilian-made sports coupé that was originally produced as direct derivative of the Ferrer GT sports car of an American company Ferrer Motors Corporation which was built on the Volkswagen Fusca 1300 platform, and powered by an the Volkswagen 1600 engine. 

The Lorena GT was built on the Volkswagen Fusca 1300 platform, and powered by an the Volkswagen 1600 engine by Lorena Importação Indústria e Comércio Ltda. during 1969 to 1971. (Picture from: ClassicCarCatalogue)

This Brazilian-made sports coupé debuted for the first time at the VI Salão do Automóvel, São Paulo, in November 1968, and its mass production officially started in 1969 by Léon Larenas Izquierdo owned company named Lorena Importação Indústria e Comércio Ltda. under license of the Ferrer Motor Corporation. 

The Lorena GT, known as a Brazilian-made sports coupé that was originally produced as direct derivative of the Ferrer GT sports car of an American company Ferrer Motors Corporation. (Picture from: Carro 2.04)

At that time the Lorena GT was sold as a complete sports car or kit, which also could optionally receive magnesium wheels, wide splints and a turnkey engine of 1,500 or 1,600 cc, coupled with two carburetors. While the body is made composite materials of plastic reinforced with fiberglass, and has a very low posture of only 1.05 m, which at first glance reminds us of two legendary cars such as; Ford GT40 and Porsche 910.

The Lorena GT was sold as a complete sports car or kit, which also could optionally receive magnesium wheels, wide splints and a turnkey engine of 1,500 or 1,600 cc, coupled with two carburetors. (Picture from: Carros raros e exóticos no Brasil)

The car has two seats, doors that go through the roof and rectangular headlights (taken from the VW 1600) protected by an acrylic fairing. However, the car got poor finishing and precarious ergonomics, and production ended in early 1971. It is estimated that around 100 units were produced, which 22 units were completed by the factory, and several bodies were assembled independently.

Because the Lorena GT were produced on a practically small scale hand-made, as the result it varied a lot in detail from one vehicle to another, making it difficult to find two really identical cars. (Picture from: Carros raros e exóticos no Brasil)

One of early version of these sports cars was acquired by a Brazilian famous racing driver Sidney Cardoso of Arte e Instrução Team, and competed on several racing events at the time, the mentioned car received disc brakes on all four wheels and was powered by a two-liter powerdrive, and four speeds manual gearbox taken from Porsche.

The Lorena GT racing car with 2000cc Porsche engine of Arte e Instrução team while on a photo session for cover of Quatro Rodas magazine back in December 1968. (Picture from: Carro 0.01-4)

Meanwhile several other cars were also used in competition, and several cars survived, most with various modifications. Because the cars were produced on a practically small scale hand-made, as the result it varied a lot in detail from one vehicle to another, making it difficult to find two really identical cars.

Sidney Cardoso with mechanic Antônio (ex-Dacon) tinkering with the 2,000cc Porsche Fuhrmann engine of Lorena GT. (Picture from: Carro 0.01-4)

Between 1977 and 1981 the Lorena GT model was taken over by other manufacturers, and was produced and marketed under the Mirage GT name, one of which was later built into a convertible by Hélio Herbert. Furthermore, the new awakenen era of the Lorena GT was touted happen in 2008 when a former racer named Luiz Fernando Lapagesse took over one of the original designs of the Lorena GT, left only the headlights and taillights not following the older model.

The Lorena GT is a truly sporty Brazilian-made car with a look inspired by the Ford GT 40 and Porsche 910, which is built only 22 units. (Picture from: HistoriaSobrerodas)

In short, this Lorena GT model once again get into the production lines by Lapagesse's Car Chassis e Carrocerias Especiais based on a new mold built on the original Mirage GT body that had never been assembled, and named the Lorena GT-L, and was launched in June 2010.  So, in the following video, you can see the figure of Lorena GT's American ancestor, the Ferrer GT. Both were similar right?

At the time, it was sold as a kit or as a ready-to-use unit mounted on the updated VW platform. Until October 2015, of the 9 bodies produced, sadly only 3 were sold. It is not known whether this brand is still being produced at this time or has gone out of business? Does anyone know? If so, don't hesitate to share with us through the comments section below.😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LORENA GT | LEXICARBRASIL | CLASSICCARCATALOGUE | CARROS RAROS E EXOTICOS NO BRASIL ]

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