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The Weird and Wonderful pt2 Wheelspin is grateful to author Simon Glen for permission to reproduce photographs taken by him and used in his book Volkswagens of the World There have been some pretty unique vehicles to come out of Volkswagen of Brazil, but perhaps the most exciting era was when the Brazilians were pretty much given free reign. Under the leadership of Rudolf Leiding VW of Brazil produced some radical - forward looking -Volkswagens, which in some way paved the way for when Rudolf took over as chairman of Volkswagen itself in 1971 and began VWs departure from reliance on the aging Beetle and the company's conversion to front engined, water cooled cars.
The Brasilia
Like the type 3 & 4, the engine was accessed through a panel beneath the small luggage bay at the rear, but despite stylistic similarities at the front of the car (the "Leiding nose" ), this was not as advanced a car as the Type 4.
The SP2
This was where Volkswagen of Brazil was given totally free reign, and came up with a low profile 2 seater sportscar based on a Brazilian type 3 floorpan and mechanics. Only 10,205 were built at the Brazilian Karmann Ghia factory between 1972 and 1976. A mere 681 were exported from Brazil, but you may get to see one soon, since committee member Des Tighe has got his paws on one. Stylistically, it was a radical departure for VW, with a body shape reminiscent of American coupe sportscars (a style Ford Europe was to use in the Capri), and coming with a 1700 engine with twin carbs, its low profile gave it better performance than the type 3, but somewhat lacklustre compared with other sportscars.
By 1976 their were plans to build an SP3, with a monocoque body as seen on the type 4 and Golf etc., 2 prototypes were apparently built but what happened to them nobody knows.
The Gol
Not a misspelling of Golf, the word Gol is Portuguese for Goal! First produced in 1980, at a time when the Passat, Scirocco, Polo and Golf had firmly set VWs future with front mounted water cooled engines, the Brazilians come up with something that looks like a small 2 door Jetta, but has a front mounted air cooled engine.
The Gols origins lie back at Wolfsburg with another failed Beetle Killer, the EA 276, which never got past prototype stage, but which the Germans gave to Brazil. The Gol came with a 1300 engine designed to run off alcohol which is plentiful in Brazil (made from sugar cane), a modern monocoque body with crumple zones, a collapsible steering column, twin braking circuit and McPherson strut front suspension, and in 1986 ABS brakes. A four door Passat like version was also built, called the Voyage and exported to the USA as the Fox. By 1984, however, the Gol begins to resemble the Golf both in style and with range of water cooled engines including an 1800 GTS model. By 1994 the Gol was given a full design make over, bringing it in line with the Golf mark 3, but between the Golf and Polo in size.
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Originally designed as a possible replacement to the Beetle, while its looks partly resemble a prototype Polo, the Brasilia is firmly a type 1. This was a 2 door hatchback, but the body was bolted onto the old type 1 floorpan, with a 1584cc aircooled engine in the back, the luggage and fuel tank in the front.
The Brazilians also exported a 4 door version to other countries (the Brazilians themselves prefer 2 doors), which was also manufactured by VW Nigeria as the Igala. A total of over 1 million Brasilias and Igalas were built between 1973 and 1978 (Brazil) and 1977 to 1981 (Nigeria), a pretty successful production record. The Brasilia was the only "Beetle replacement" based on the Beetle floorpan.
OOriginally designed for export to the USA, VW Brazil found that their low profile "Leiding Nose" headlights did not conform to US regulations, and with the US in the grip of an oil crisis - the export idea was abandoned. 
Weird & Wonderful Pt1
