From Classic to Monster: The Restoration of the VW Brasília

The passion for classic cars in Brazil knows no bounds. From generation to generation, many collectors, enthusiasts and restorers have sought ways to preserve the history of the national automobile while incorporating mechanical innovations to make them more powerful and modern. A fascinating example of this union between past and future is the VW Brasília project. 1978, which, through a custom restoration, now has a base of Honda Civic 1996 and parts of the VW Nivus.

The Challenge of Reimagining a National Icon

The VW Brasília is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic cars in Brazilian automotive history. Launched in the 1970s, this model stood out for its design unique, in addition to being one of the first cars to stand out for its economical and durable behavior. However, over time, the mechanics of the Brasília became obsolete, which led some fans of the model to look for more modern alternatives, without losing the identity of the car.

That's exactly what the anonymous owner of the VW Brasilia did. 1978, when looking for the restorer Paulo Cesar Silva Souza from PC Oficina, located in Viamao (RS). The owner's request was simple: to create a unique project that maintained the essence of the classic, but with more modern and powerful mechanics. To achieve this, he decided to combine the Brasilia 1978 common Honda Civic 1996, thus creating a fusion of two automotive worlds.

Collaboration and the Car Project

The project began when the owner revealed to Paulo Cesar that he also had a Honda Civic 1996. The idea of merging these two apparently very different cars was born there, between one conversation and another. To materialize this vision, the duo counted on the talent of artist Robert Design, responsible for the visual design of the car, and the team at Hobbit Design, who was responsible for creating the modeling in 3D from the project.

Work began with the complete dismantling of the Honda Civic. As Paulo Cesar says, “We started by dismantling the Honda, leaving only the monocoque there, the floor, the front and rear suspension, the entire lower part of the Honda. And we took the chassis out of the Brasília, cut out the inside of it too, the internal boxes, and used only the external boxes from the Brasília.”

One of the challenges of the project was the fact that the Civic have a longer wheelbase than the Brasilia. To adjust the difference, it was necessary to reduce the wheelbase of the Brasília by 10 centimeters. However, despite these modifications, the original body of Brasilia was maintained, and only the mechanical part was changed. The end result would be a completely new model, but with the visual identity of the classic.

A Long-Term Project

The work in the Volkswagen Brasilia 1978 It wasn't simple. The project dragged on for more than three years, with every detail being carefully thought out. The construction required the replacement of practically all the car's internal parts, such as the dashboard and seats. In place of the original components of the Brasília, the car would now feature the dashboard of the Honda Civic, banks sports and a reinforced structure with protective cage.

The mechanical part, of course, was also deeply modified. The original engine of the Brasília was replaced by one from Civic, which would receive a turbine to significantly increase its power. The restorer estimates that so far around R$ 360 thousand to R$ 380 thousand in the project. And he knows that there are still some details to be finalized, such as the interior finish and the suspension, which can lead to the final cost being more than R$ 500 thousand.

Innovative Details and Modifications

The project of the VW Brasilia 1978 goes beyond simply changing parts. Several modifications, both visual and functional, were made to make this model a true machine, while maintaining the charm of the classic.

Track Suspension and Widening

To accommodate the system suspension of the Civic and improve the car's performance, the gauges of the Brasília were widened. The front and rear suspension were also completely renewed, ensuring that the new design had the stability and drivability of a modern car.

Headlights and Lighting System

Another interesting detail in the design of the Brasilia modified was the disposition of the headlights. The original Brasília model has double headlights on each side, but in this project, only the external headlights work as lighting headlights, while the inmates were transformed into air inlets to feed the turbine. This change not only optimizes performance, but also gives the car a more aggressive look.

Mustang Style Sunroof and Grille

The project also featured the addition of a sunroof, to provide a more pleasant experience for the driver and passengers. In the rear, instead of the traditional glass, a grill inspired by the style of cars Ford Mustang. These modifications give the Brasilia a new look sports It is aggressive, something quite different from the classic model and more focused on comfort.

Painting and Style

The painting was carefully chosen and follows a more modern line, being inspired by a tone of gray present in the color chart of BMW. This color choice ensures a more elegant and modern finish, balancing modernity with the history of Volkswagen Brasilia.

The Engine: From 127 Horsepower to 450

The main design modification, however, is under the hood. The original engine of the Honda Civic was maintained, but underwent a series of changes. The 1.6 engine four cylinders gasoline, which originally delivered 127 hp of power and 14.8 kgfm of torque, now receives a turbine, in addition to forged parts, to support the increased power.

With these modifications, the forecast is that the Volkswagen Brasilia 1978 reach about 450 horsepower. This turns the car into a real machine of performance, which will undoubtedly have a acceleration and performance far superior to those of any factory-made Brasilia.

Price and Investment

Although the project is not yet fully completed, it is already possible to get an idea of the size of the investment. The owner of the VW Brasilia 1978 must have spent about R$ 500 thousand to make this project a reality. The value reflects the extensive work, high-quality parts and modifications that made this car unique in the world.

This value is a reflection not only of the parts used, but also of the dedication It is expertise of all involved. The high cost is justified by the search for perfection and the creation of a car with unique features, both visually and in performance.

Conclusion: The Future of Volkswagen Brasília

O Modified Volkswagen Brasilia 1978 is more than just a restoration. It is a bold project that mixes the best of both worlds: the classic and modern. Using as a basis the Honda Civic 1996 and parts of the Nivus, the car turns into a real performance machine, with an engine capable of generating up to 450 hp.

This project shows us that when it comes to classic cars, passion for old vehicles can be perfectly combined with the modern technology. The end result will be a Volkswagen Brasilia 1978 which will not only maintain the original aesthetics, but also offer a completely new driving experience, with the power and performance of current sports cars.

This project is proof that it is possible reinvent an icon without losing its essence, creating a model single that appeals to both classic car fans and enthusiasts. tuning It is modification.