___________________________INTERLAGOS PROJECT - REVIVAL OF A LEGEND

Based upon the French classic Renault Alpini 108 - year 1956, the Willys Interlagos was the first series production sport car produced in Brazil and, even now-a-days, it is object of desire for sport cars collectors and enthusiasts.

The original model was brought to Brazil by Willys Overland do Brazil by influence of the adman Mauro Salles, and enthusiast of cars who named the model after the city of São Paulo famous auto race track.

With a production of more than 800 units between 1964 - 1966, the history of Willys Interlagos models is closely connected with the development of the professional car racing in Brazil. Brazilian pilots such as Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi, Bird Clemente and José Carlos Pace - the name of the São Paulo racetrack today - initiated the careers at this period.

Knowing this interesting story, two Paulistas, the designers - João Paulo Cunha Melo and Felipe Guimarães Coelho, also cars enthusiasts - decided to invest their ability in redesigning the successful Willys Interlagos.

Using modern project and design resources, like softwares for 3D models, they kept in mind the preservation of proportions and the basic forms of the original model, up-dating construction concepts, ergonomic and safety.

Following the original Jean Rédéle´s idea - Renault Alpine creator - to offer to the public a low price sport car, the new Interlagos is based on a concept to receive Renault components and mechanical set entirely produced in Brazil.

With transversal motor and transmission, set between axles, 142 HP power and extremely light construction, the famous Renault Alpine "sportive spirit" is guaranteed.

The "redesign" or reading of classical models has been an important means of sales, reaching the cultural and economically differentiated public. New model version of the big car makers like Volkswagen - New Beetle, Mini Cooper, Ford GT 40, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro e Dodge Challenger, have demonstrated the dimension of this public.

Brazil, besides being one of the world's largest car market, differently from new producers, has a history of more than fifty years in the development of some unforgettable models.

Tradition, creativity, professional capacity and resources are available conferring economic growth, Brazil, again, will project and produce its own automobiles.

Remark:


After the repercussion obtained by their project, the designers decided to elaborate a detailed product cost, plant concept, potential suppliers, market positioning besides a chronogram and development of costs and test they were able to homologate the vehicle.

Furthermore, the designers obtain the project patent and registered the Trade Mark "INTERLAGOS".

The objective of this decision was to place these data at disposition of eventual investors in producing the vehicle within the best technical and investment principles.

With this attitude, João e Felipe reinforce their determination to see the "Interlagos" back to the streets and to the sport car racing .