Charade Monza: Once Dubbed Indonesia's 1st Sports Car

Rare ONES - Dreaming of designing and building a unique car is a common fantasy for car enthusiasts around the world. The thought of not just owning, but creating a vehicle that stands apart from anything else on the road is an alluring idea. While most of us may leave this dream on the drawing board, there are rare instances where someone dares to turn their vision into reality.

The Charade Monza presented by Charade Automobile SA, unveiled in 1989 at a private event in Clermont-Ferrand, France. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

This is the inspiring story of Pierre Foissotte, a French engineer with a background in the automotive industry, whose ambition led him to create a car company and introduce a unique vehicle that left a lasting mark on both European and Asia especially Indonesian car markets. Pierre Foissotte started his career as an engineer at Esso Fuels, where he was involved in fuel delivery systems. His passion for cars and performance led him to work with Formula Renault, a racing series known for honing the skills of many future Formula 1 drivers.

The Charade Monza captivated racing enthusiasts and distributors at a major Paris automotive event, where, even as a bare-bones model, it sparked international interest in the brand. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

In the world of Formula Renault, he found the perfect environment to push the limits of car design and engineering. This experience ignited Foissotte’s dream to create his own car, which eventually led him to gather a group of like-minded individuals who shared his vision for building a car that was both innovative and stylish. By 1986, he had assembled a small team of technicians and designers, and together, they set out to build a grand tourer (GT) sports car with cutting-edge design and performance.

The Charade Monza's chassis, built from a box-section tubular steel frame, provided strength and durability, while its lightweight fiberglass body ensured agility and responsiveness. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

The project, while ambitious, began with modest goals: Foissotte and his team initially aimed to create a limited number of vehicles that would stand out in the luxury sports car segment. As they progressed, the team enlisted the help of a Japanese designer who introduced a sleek, futuristic look for the car’s exterior. With the designer’s industry connections in Asia, the project quickly expanded to involve international partners. They also secured partnerships in Japan to manufacture the glass components. The combination of expertise from Europe and Asia gave the project an international flair, and the car began to take shape with a unique blend of Western design and Asian craftsmanship.

The Charade Monza was ultimately equipped with the Peugeot 205 GTI’s engine and drivetrain, after evaluating options from Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, giving it a reliable and sporty mid-rear configuration beneath its clamshell hood. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

In 1989, Foissotte and his team unveiled a mock-up of their car, named the Charade Monza, at the Mondial de l'automobile et du transport in 1989. This debut served as a way to gauge interest from potential partners and investors. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and the buzz generated from this showing motivated Foissotte to formalize the venture by establishing Charade Automobile SA. in September 1989. With a newfound sense of purpose and backing, Charade Automobile acquired a location in Clermont-Ferrand to begin preparing for a limited production run of the Charade Monza.

Besides the coupe, the Charade Monza was also offered in a Targa version with scissor-style doors. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

As the Monza continued to develop, Charade Automobile showcased the car at a major automotive event in Paris, where it attracted significant attention from racing enthusiasts and potential distributors. Despite only being a rolling model—a basic frame without functional suspension or a finished interior—the Monza created enough excitement to put Charade Automobile on the radar of the international car community. However, considerable work remained to bring the vehicle to market, including securing an engine supplier and completing the car’s mechanical and structural components.

The Charade Monza’s limited orders led Charade Automobile to downsize and offer a VW Fox-based kit version, but financial issues ended production in 1993 with only about two dozen units made. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

After evaluating various engine options from Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, the designer team ultimately decided to equip the Charade Monza with the engine and drivetrain of the Peugeot 205 GTI, a choice that allowed for a reliable and sporty mid-rear engine configuration. The chassis, a box-section tubular steel frame, provided strength and durability, while the lightweight fiberglass body ensured the car remained agile and responsive, and available in both Coupe and Targa versions.

The Charade Monza’s production ended in 1993, but it resurfaced at the 1990 Jakarta Fair as the Pawma XL300, powered by a modified 1.6-liter Mitsubishi L300 engine and a five-speed transmission. (Picture from: KlasikRetro in Instagram)

However, the Monza’s success in generating interest did not translate into high sales. The limited orders led Charade Automobile to shift its strategy, including moving to a smaller production site and introducing a kit version of the Monza using VW Fox components to broaden its appeal. Despite these efforts, financial difficulties persisted, and the company ultimately ceased operations in 1993, with an estimated two dozen Monza models completed in France. Although the project in France came to an end, the Charade Monza’s story did not.

The Mitsubishi Pawma XL300 first appeared in a brochure in 1990 as Indonesia's first sports car. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

In Indonesia, this unique car reemerged as the Pawma XL300, produced in Jakarta by PT. Kreasindo Trampil Mandiri and based on the Mitsubishi L300, featuring a modified 1.6-liter engine and a five-speed transmission. Debuting at the 1990 Jakarta Fair, the Pawma XL300 captured the interest of Indonesian car enthusiasts as the first locally produced sports car. Although production was limited—rumored to be only 10 units—it gained a loyal following and became a distinctive part of Indonesia’s automotive history. 

The Charade Monza and its Indonesian counterpart, the Pawma XL300, serve as remarkable examples of what can be achieved when passion and creativity intersect. Foissotte’s project may not have achieved widespread commercial success, but it left an indelible mark on automotive history. His journey reminds us that even the most challenging dreams are worth pursuing and that passion can bring people together across continents to create something truly special. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RARE COMPONENT CARS ]

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