1978 Gurgel Xavante X12 No reserve

1978 Gurgel Xavante X12 No reserve - Owned by photographer and director Mathieu César - Ideal holiday car, suitable for all road surfaces - Rare in Europe, reliable with easy maintenance - Exotic and exclusive, fewer than 1000 copies - No reserve 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12 After working in the United States for General Motors, engineer Joao Conrado do Amaral Gurgel from Sao Paulo set up his first company in the 1960s, producing a range of go-karts, buggies, children's ride-on cars, and leisure vehicles. An agreement was signed with Volkswagen Brasil in 1970, and production of the Xavante commercial vehicles based on a VW chassis/mechanics unit with fibreglass bodywork began. An in-house, patented tubular trellis frame was soon adopted, along with an ingenious 'Seletraction' system with selective rear braking, which, like a self-locking differential, allows power to be transferred to one wheel when the other loses grip. It made its first European appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in 1979, and each year the Xavante underwent significant improvements, as evident in the 1978 model for sale here. Imported from Brazil in 2023, the car for sale was the subject of a full article in the November 2023 issue of Auto Rétro magazine (no. 490). The 1600 cc engine, braking system, steering, and electrical system have been completely overhauled, the oil changed, and the battery replaced (invoices included). The chassis and underpinnings are very sound, as attested by the recent expert report drawn up by YAB Expertise Automobile. The windows are well aligned and the paintwork is of very good quality. It is equipped with a sump guard at the front and rear, a manual winch on the front bumper, a sand removal shovel fixed to the driver's door, and a 20-litre jerry can container. The black vinyl upholstery is in very good condition and the tyres are new. This charming five-seater, a compromise between the Jeep Willys and the Citroën Méhari, stands out on account of the possibility of adjusting the body elements. The doors, side windows, and soft top are removable, and the windscreen can be fitted with a 'Bikini Top'hood, which can be folded down. A fixed roll bar provides protection in the event of an accident. This delightful motor car was acquired at Artcurial in February 2025 by Mathieu César, the celebrated photographer and, more recently, filmmaker, whose directorial debut, Abracadabra, starring Romain Duris, is due for release next January. The owner of a pleasure craft moored in a charming little harbour in the South of France, César chose this wonderfully distinctive car for his local excursions — an elegant and decidedly original way to travel. This rare, reliable car, boasting stunning looks, is waiting to take you off the beaten track or to the seaside. A protective cover is supplied with the car.

Estimation:€25,000

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