Volkswagen
SP1

Why it matters

The SP1 was the first version of Volkswagen do Brasil's own sports car, a design created in Brazil and not derived from a German model. It was the lesser of the two launch versions and was dropped in the year it appeared, which makes it far scarcer than the SP2.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The project began in 1969 inside Volkswagen as "Projeto X", prompted by the success of the small-volume Puma. The styling department led by Marcio Piancastelli drew it; designer Jose Vicente "Jota" Martins did the shape, and Claudio Menta was the engineer responsible. A first prototype was shown at the Hannover fair in 1971, and the SP was officially launched on 26 June 1972 in two versions, SP1 and SP2.

Both used the Variant chassis. A plan to build the body from riveted sheet panels proved unworkable, so conventional body construction was used. The SP1 carried the Variant's own 1.6-litre engine, while the SP2 had a larger, stronger one. The SP1 left production at the end of 1972 with slightly more than 60 sold, as buyers preferred the SP2.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The SP1 is the lower-specified version of the Brazilian VW SP with the 1.6-litre air-cooled boxer engine; the SP2 has the 1.7-litre engine and more equipment. Both have a steel body, sourced from the Brazilian VW 1600 Variant mechanicals with a Beetle front axle, and a one-piece console and centre console. Because SP1 production was small, the SP2 is the car most often seen.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   VW SP2: um esportivo brasileiro com estilo e historia Level B Douglas Mendonca · Autoentusiastas · 2019-06-02

   • pouco mais de 60 unidades comercializadas
   • motor de construcao plana de 1.584 cm3
   • aumento do diametro dos cilindros de 85,5 mm para 88 mm
   • dois carburadores
   • Ambas utilizavam o chassi da Variant
   • Estampado em chapa de aco

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Encontro marca 50 anos dos esportivos VW SP1 e SP2 (AutoEntusiastas) Level C

   • 88 SP1 built (of 10,193 SP1 + SP2)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Volkswagen SP completa 50 anos; relembre o esportivo criado no Brasil Level B Mauro Balhessa · Motor Show (IstoE) · 2022-06-27

   • motor traseiro
   • usando o chassi da Variant
   • passamos ao processo tradicional de fabricacao de carrocerias

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   50 Jahre Volkswagen SP (1972-1976): Kennen Sie den noch? Level C Motor1 Deutschland

   • SP1 mit einem 1,6-Liter-Vierzylinder-Boxermotor mit 54 PS und 110 Nm
   • 54 PS und 110 Nm Drehmoment
   • Leergewicht von gerade einmal rund 900 kg

   Accessed 2026-11-12