The Bianco S is a rare, Brazilian-Italian sports car with ties to the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, highlighting a unique chapter in Brazil’s automotive history. Designed by Italian immigrant Ottorino “Toni” Bianco, the Bianco S emerged in the 1970s as part of his Fúria Auto Esporte brand, which later became Bianco. This sleek two-door sports car featured a fiberglass body and a Beetle-based 1.6-liter air-cooled engine, giving it both a distinctive look and an economical build for local car enthusiasts.
Brazil’s restrictive import laws spurred local innovation, leading to cars like the Bianco S and the Puma GT, both derived from Volkswagen platforms and Beetle components. The Bianco S used parts from various VW models and offered a high-quality interior uncommon in Beetle-based cars. Despite its limited production, the Bianco S is celebrated among collectors and automotive historians as a symbol of Brazilian ingenuity in adapting the Beetle’s reliable mechanics into a stylish sports car.
