The Hofstetter Turbo3 Comment

Hofstetter Cortada | Mon, 08 Sep 2008 Posted by : Shannon Larratt

One of my all-time favorite kit cars — although one could argue this is more of a limited run specialty vehicle built in the style of a kit car — is the Brazilian Hofstetter Turbo, built during a period where Brazil had restrictive auto import laws and foreign exotics were hard to come by which invigorated domestic designers. The prototype came out in 1980, said to be based on Bertone’s Carabo (which also inspired the Aztec 7) although to me I also see the Bulldog, the Boomerang, and the first generation Lotus Esprit in the design. While Mario Hofstetter had hoped to build thirty a year starting in 1984, only about twenty were made in all when production ended in 1991. Early models used an engine from a Passat, with the later ones using a 2.0L engine out of the VW Santana, claiming a top speed of 236 km/h with the Garret turbo. The chassis was custom with VW components (although it originally used Chevette suspension), the gullwing doored body was made of fiberglass, and the interior was done in leather with digital instrumentation.

Sources: 1, 2, 3.

Hofstetter Cortada4 Comment

Hofstetter Cortada | Sat, 27 May 2006 Posted by : Shannon Larratt

Joe Lee and I have been talking about various cars like the Siva Saluki and the Charger with angular looks derived from prototypes like the Aston Martin Bulldog and I suppose even the first generation Lotus Esprit. I think we’re both in agreement that the Hofstetter Cortada, produced in Brasil until 1991 (admittedly only about twenty were made), is the nicest looking of the set.

  

The VW based vehicle used a 2L engine that could be set up either for regular gasoline, or for ethanol (Brasil is the largest Ethanol producer in the world) bringing it to 210 hp (and a top speed of about 240 kph). Production began in 1980 (or 1985 because until then only the prototype existed), inspired by the Maserati Boomerang. At that time it was known as the Hofsetter Turbo (the name change happened when the company was sold).