Santa Matilde

Equipped with tuned versions of the Chevrolet Opala engine, the first prototype was revealed at the 1976 Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo as one of the most expensive and luxurious cars in the country at the time.

The project was run by engineer Humberto Pimentel Duarte and former pilot and race-car tuner Renato Peixoto.

The instrument panel resembles the contemporary Porsche models at the time - it had indicators for water temperature, oil pressure, speed, odometer (full and partial), RPM, fuel level and a clock.

Unlike most cars on sale in Brazil at the time, the Santa Matilde had both front and rear disc brakes.

Based on the prototype, this version had some problems like overheating, noise and ventilation Externally, a new rear design and some cosmetic changes at the front, smoothing some lines.