Santa-Matilde

Founded in 1916, it was based in the cities of Três Rios and Conselheiro Lafaiete,

producing wagons, passenger cars and other railway components, tractors and automobiles (since 1978). The company tried to produce bus bodies in 1985-86, but gave up the idea. Santa Matilde was closed in 1988 [2]. In 1997 there was a (frustrated) attempt to reactivate its car production. Recently, the Justice decreed the bankruptcy of the company. In 1975 the Brazilian government banned the importation of automobiles and their parts. This was a sign of trouble for those who owned an imported vehicle, as it would directly affect the purchase of parts for maintenance. This group of people was Dr Humberto Pimentel who owned a Porsche Targa 911S and the future lack of parts already worried him enough. In the mid-1970s, Dr. Humberto decided to buy a national sports car. His choice was for the best national sports car of the time, the Puma GTB. It is not known exactly what led Dr Humberto to create his own automobile. The two most well-known versions are that, after analyzing the Puma GTB, it would have suggested some changes in the car aiming for an improvement with respect to structure, safety, stability. The answer would have been negative and this prompted him to think of a sports car that would meet his requirements.