PUMA: SAMBA

Those are really nice cars - not really a kit car at all.  There is a nice convertible in AC, NJ for only $10k too.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2138251

A little different engine combination in the coupe- the stage 3 (whatever that is) Superflow heads should let it rev with power halfway to the moon, yet it's limited by 40mm carbs and a 4 tip exhaust. Big displacement can hide a multitude of sins. A Bernie Bergman re-manufactured crankshaft can be scary (quality control is not something he's known for, and there are pics on the Samba of his horrific work) yet with over 8,000 miles on the engine (and yes, we are assuming the mileage is on the engine as well as the car) the crank must have been one of the few that got through his process done right. Between the engine and the long reach between 3rd and 4th it would be an interesting car to drive. Al

@Marty Grzynkowicz  You should go look at this car Marty  looks pretty cool 

If you check out the SAMBA ad, and look at his other AD(for sale), it will broaden ones perspective on this gentleman's car disposition...formula VEE with a kick-ass TYPE 4.

Interesting look: click on ADS at bottom LEFT corner of the PUMA ad

I really like those Pumas. The 'vert looks like a close cousin to the Alpha spider.

I am a fan too. This  Puma looks like a lot of fun for the dollar.

ALB posted:

A little different engine combination in the coupe- the stage 3 (whatever that is) Superflow heads should let it rev with power halfway to the moon, yet it's limited by 40mm carbs and a 4 tip exhaust. Big displacement can hide a multitude of sins. A Bernie Bergman re-manufactured crankshaft can be scary (quality control is not something he's known for, and there are pics on the Samba of his horrific work) yet with over 8,000 miles on the engine (and yes, we are assuming the mileage is on the engine as well as the car) the crank must have been one of the few that got through his process done right. Between the engine and the long reach between 3rd and 4th it would be an interesting car to drive. Al

AL,

He's got no idea what he's talking about regarding his engine. A Mofoco case? 2232 with 92 pistons? Consider the engine an unknown and potential grenade, and go from there.

I was in Brazil for 3 months back in the early 80s. These were rolling around back then. It's a lot of car for the money.

This is my favorite view of this car. Nice lines.

glad that some folks find some value to this car....i figured as much

Wish there were engine photos. 

Stan Galat posted:

This is my favorite view of this car. Nice lines.

I agree, although, it needs a serious height adjustment...

Agreed. Pretty "70s" stance.

Stan Galat posted:

This is my favorite view of this car. Nice lines.

Agreed. Looks much better than the convertible.

I do prefer the convertible's chrome bumpers, but otherwise I prefer the coupe.  Lower it and put some Minilites on it and it'd be perfect in my view.

Soob.

Stan Galat posted:

ALB posted:

A little different engine combination in the coupe- the stage 3 (whatever that is) Superflow heads should let it rev with power halfway to the moon, yet it's limited by 40mm carbs and a 4 tip exhaust. Big displacement can hide a multitude of sins. A Bernie Bergman re-manufactured crankshaft can be scary (quality control is not something he's known for, and there are pics on the Samba of his horrific work) yet with over 8,000 miles on the engine (and yes, we are assuming the mileage is on the engine as well as the car) the crank must have been one of the few that got through his process done right. Between the engine and the long reach between 3rd and 4th it would be an interesting car to drive. Al

AL,

He's got no idea what he's talking about regarding his engine. A Mofoco case? 2232 with 92 pistons? Consider the engine an unknown and potential grenade, and go from there.

I was in Brazil for 3 months back in the early 80s. These were rolling around back then. It's a lot of car for the money.

Yeah, I agree, Stan, I don't think he knows all that much about what he has either.  84x92 does make a 2234, though, so that's probably it (I'd never heard of anyone building that combo before- had to look it up).

ALB posted:

Yeah, I agree, Stan, I don't think he knows all that much about what he has either.  84x92 does make a 2234, though, so that's probably it (I'd never heard of anyone building that combo before- had to look it up).

It's not a 2234. He's trying to say it's a 2332, but he doesn't know enough to know that's a thing. If he says he's got a "Mofoco case" you don't really need to go further.

Ed's right-- this is a prime candidate for a Subaru conversion. Looking at those tiny air intakes, I'm not sure the car could support a stroker.

Great looking car for the price!

Stan Galat posted:

ALB posted:

Yeah, I agree, Stan, I don't think he knows all that much about what he has either.  84x92 does make a 2234, though, so that's probably it (I'd never heard of anyone building that combo before- had to look it up).

It's not a 2234. He's trying to say it's a 2332, but he doesn't know enough to know that's a thing. If he says he's got a "Mofoco case" you don't really need to go further.

Ed's right-- this is a prime candidate for a Subaru conversion. Looking at those tiny air intakes, I'm not sure the car could support a stroker.

"...professionally built 2232cc Type I engine has 92mm Cima pistons with Autocraft cylinders, 84mm Bernie Bergman crankshaft, Carillo rods..."

Again, Stan, I agree with you- the "Mofoco" case is a tell that he's definitely not up on aircooled VW engines (maybe it's a "Mofoco prepared" case?), but the figures he's quoting for bore and stroke- 92x84- do make a 2234 (only 2 cc's out from the "2232", as he calls it). It's not a popular build, but I'm sure it's been done. A 2332 is 94 mm pistons with an 84 mm crankshaft (a whopping 98 cc's bigger!). I'm just wondering what a nice set of Carillo rods are doing slumming with a Bergman crankshaft...