Volkswagen SP2: The coolest VW you've never heard of (1 of 3 in SA)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- We have seen it often... When a division of a car company starts to develop their own cars, the interesting results are often very appealing. This could be in terms of performance, design or sometimes the combination of both.
Photos by Justin Pinto
The Volkswagen SP2 is such a car. Volkswagen in Brazil developed it for the Brazilian market. Produced between 1972 and 1976, just over 10 000 of these two-door coupés were manufactured. Only around 2 000 were ever exported and they were never made available in South Africa. Brazil has a very close connection to Volkswagen and enthusiasts will know that for a short period during the late-70s, South Africa, for example, also imported VW Kombis from this country.
Based on the Volkswagen Variant (Type 3) that was available at the time in Brazil and fitted with a 1,7-litre, flat-four engine, this may be no sports car in terms of performance, but the design of this car (as well as its rarity in South Africa) makes it rather exceptional.
Its owner, Gerhard Ryksen, is a respected figure in the local Volkswagen community. At the young age of 16 he bought his first Volkswagen, appropriately a Beetle. He started working on the Beetle and driving it, eventually getting busted!
“I had to sell it, but I bought another one - and that is how all of this started.” It has been a long road over several years which led Gerhard to finally opening the Volksie Museum outside Bloemfontein.
He has what is arguably the neatest Volkswagen collection in South Africa and is on a daily basis either busy restoring a car, driving across the country buying and selling cars and parts or maintaining his collection. According to him there are only three SP2s in South Africa. None of the other two are on the road, but one of them belongs to a good friend and could be on the road in the near future.
The history of how this car was imported into South Africa is worth a mention. Gerhard is only the second owner, but the first owner went on a business trip to Brazil and saw the car. He convinced the VW staff in Brazil to ship one to South Africa. However, when it arrived in South Africa and members of the media saw the car there were apparently a few eyebrows that were raised.
“One of the highlights for me is the design of the SP2. A friend of mine owns a cream one, and that was the first time I saw an example of these cars. I just fell in love with this car. Back then we thought it was the only one in South Africa. Later on we heard there was a red one, and then we heard rumours of this specific car. Nobody knew where it was and if it even existed. By pure chance I found it.
“It took a lot of convincing of the previous owner, five years in total, but I managed to secure it and I’ve now owned it for 16 years. I used to phone him on a monthly basis. The happiest moments were the day I saw it for the first time, and secondly the day I went to pick it up."
When Gerhard bought the car, he had some paint work done to it, but mechanically it didn’t need a lot of work
“Currently it has done only 45 000 km, of which I’ve done 7 000 km in the last 16 years. It runs so well, it is smooth and even the seating position is comfortable. I once drove 800 km in a single day, usually I don’t do that type of distances with my older cars.”
It is hard to believe that after standing in a basement for 10 years, Gerhard basically started the car, drove it to a car wash, and then went on a 400 km road trip.
In Gerhard’s own words: “That was one of my best drives ever… in any car.”
Enjoy the video!
0:00 Intro
0:55 Volkswagen SP2 buying process
5:00 How the car was imported to South Africa
5:57 VW SP2 & VW Beetle comparison
7:10 Driving experience
7:57 Initial drive
8:12 Outro
Car: Volkswagen SP2 (1976)
Engine: 1 679 cc, flat four, petrol
Power: 56 kW @ 4 000 rpm
Torque: 113 N.m @ 3 000 rpm
Top speed: 161 kph
0-100 kph: under 16 seconds
Gearbox: 4-speed manual
Wheelbase: 2 400 mm
Weight: 890 kg - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
![[TH] 2024 PMWC x EWC Main Tournament Day 2 | PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP x ESPORTS WORLD CUP](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TgEFw285vXA/mqdefault.jpg)
He has had it for 16years, and is still that emotional about it! That SP2 found its rightful owner. Keep cruising friends!
in Brazil there are beetle parts even in pharmacy. Last year I went to São Paulo and I was impressed by the variety of pieces they have in Brazil. I visited a restorer. In Brazil there are the best vw restorers in the world. This year I'm going back there and I'm going to bring a Volkswagen Brasília
@lopes wow, I watched Bill Metal Work's channel, the guy from mil to zero in American restorations Americans only use plastic putty
🇧🇷One of the most beautiful Brazilian cars of all time❤️
That bar isn't high
Calm down mate
no one cares
Wait its Brazilian. I thought It was German, given its fro volkswagen a German company
@@ckhb059 built by vw in South America. Exclusively for the Brazilian market
Got to see this car in person, walked right past the Karmann ghias, kombis and other awsome VWs just to see the SP2. Gerhard was awsome to show it to me even though I just pitched up at his place out of the blue. Definetly my favourite VW of all time
It's amazing for me to see three of my biggest passions in one video: Brazil, South Africa and Cars all combined.
This is an amazing film. The car is beautiful and the entire cinematography is on point.
You must introduce us to your film crew they do a fantastic job.
Agreed!
Sure!!!
Quite a few of these here in Dominican Republic, didn’t know they were that rare in SA
There is another version of this car called SP1. In fact is the same car, but small engine differences. When I was a child, my neighbor had a SP2, and I never forget that design.
The price is getting more and more expensive here in Brazil. It costs about 90k reais.
"Is my car still there?" This is some brilliant, long term negotiating. I used to sell Maserati and Alfa Romeo, and had some shrewd negotiators over the years, but this guy is next level.
Never heard of this ever. Wow what a machine !
It’s a very beautiful car. Never seen nor heard of this before, looks very much like a prototype, I wouldn’t mind owning one too 👀🙃
It looks a LOT like a De Tomaso Mangusta, rear was quite a bit different though. The SP2 really was a great looking car, too bad that it was so lacking in power. seen (pictures of) them that had porsche engines swapped into them
What a great story. Passion never dies...
3:39 "and in that moment..." I understood what you are talking about. You lucky man! Wishing you many merry miles!
Great car, fantastic story, wonderful owner. Thank you for sharing.
Stumbled across this car when searching hybrid electron orbitals for chemistry, and now I want to buy it.
My father had one in 70s, same color, gorgeous car 😍
Greetings from Brazil. Here we love this car too.☺
I love your approach on getting the previous owner to sell it to you.
What an awesome story!! That SP2 makes him happy and that is all that counts!!
I saw one in Kimberley back in the 80s. A white one. Loved them ever since I saw it. Beautifully filmed. Awesome video.🙌
Could of been huge...it's hot all those right 70s supercar looks. Two tone paint is cool as well. Unique is an understatement
My favourite Sentimetal video you guys have done yet! Great production quality!
Yay, thank you!
Was a proper sentimental... the owner almost in tears talking about his SP2...
Seeing a Sanyo Rally car radio - now that takes me back to the 70s!
VW Brasil had some sick cars. The SP2 and the Brasilia are the best though!
This car should have gone world wide - it's sooooo cool (may be up the horse power though!!!??)
Great looking car. Glad youtube recommended me.
SP2 and PUMA were the coolest cars growing up in Brasil.
Great Video, They are very rare even here in Brazil, I must tell that you have one o the prettiest VW SP2 i have ever seen.
Wow. The lines on this thing are literally perfect. Thanks for such a great film. My first car was a Karman Ghia and I was looking to get another to see me out but now I’ve see this I’ve started looking for an SP2. Just wow.
Thank you for this video... absolutley awesome to see it and to see the owners absolute love for his VW... Love your work keep up.
First time I have ever seen one...... The rear end is extremely cool....... A bit of vw variant in there as well.
I've always been intrigued by the SP2. You can see them in the move "Blame it on Rio" riding along the mountain roads overlooking the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. It always seemed like the car matched that fun, beach going lifestyle like in the movie. What a little beast it might've been if Porsche would've modified the engine for VW to increase power.
One of the best edited clips ever by carscoza. You guys have come a long way.
Few know more, VW South American has several exclusive cars. The SP1|SP2, KarmannGuia TC, VW Brasilia, VW 1500 (Zé Do Caixão) are some of the air refrigerant cars designed by Brazilians for the national market 🇧🇷
Did you know that SP it's an abbreviation for São Paulo? My father used to have one, I miss so much
The title is spot on I Love old VWs but I have never seen this before I thought it was a Toyota 2000GT looks very much like it!!🤯 to the owner super clean and thank you for bringing this to my eye balls.
Y favorite Vw, the vintage yellow number plate is the cherry on the top of this cake. Great video!
Parabéns um belo VwSp2 👏👏
awesome! great story and excellent video
Acabei de realizar o sonho de possuir um
Wow, what a beauty! Head and tail lights of a VW Type 4?
Great car, great production value presentation, cheers! 🎉🎉🎉
Looks spectacular!
Amazing film!
Lovely car ! Reminds me of the VW Passat hatch back.
belíssimo carro. Parabéns de um brasileiro que é apaixonado por esse modelo de carro Também.
There's about 10 000 created, they were only created for the Brazilian market production was in the 70's and There was also an SP1 made only for a year.
We didn’t get these in the U.K.-so rare and beautiful. I guess I can see some similar design lines to the early Scirrocos…very nice. 🙏
My Dad had one with a corver engine back in the day
Wow it belongs in a museum
My Uncle had one in the 70s-80s in Brazil ....it was a status car in Brasil at the time....and probably now!
Very interesting vehicle that! I've also just discovered this channel. RAD!
A stunning looking car. 👍
Gorgeous!😍
Awesome storie Man geluk!!
Those steel wheels look amazing
Coisa linda de se ver.
That is a video about love!
Our company export worldwide the VW SP2.
i'm never seen it before too,and it is a cool car
Great video, nice story and excellent cinematography ! If this was on Petrolicious, it would get 300k+ views easily...
Yeap, I was not heard of, indeed! And it is quite awesome.
Very cool 😎
Yes I also saw one of these in cape town a driver of the Brazilian embassy used to come to the place that I worked to visit his friend at lusitania fisheries in Wsterkant street it was a creamish color
In 197
1976
Beaut, looks smooth
Those are rare even here in Brazil. Many went overseas. It's costs a small fortune
Up there with my other fave sports car designs, the 356, E-Type and Miura '60's _CLASSICS_
wonderfull machine!!
Love it
i got a hotwheels model of one!
Awesome Beautiful
Very cool.
I would love to see what a guy like Chip Foose could do to something this cool.
Still got SP plates lol
Nice car! I wonder if you can use parts from a VW bug for repairs?
Awesome, great video, good job cars.co.za
Exclusive model from 70's VW Brazil... has been only made here and the only way to get 1 it's buying from collectors that will make it no cheap task, but you pay only for the exclusivity and Design , being officially the prettiest VW ever... it's a 1.7L so not sporty at all , a base 911 from the same era would be faster but not rare as much... maybe you could swap a 930 engine , i would recommend👍🇧🇷
I have a Hot Wheels Volkswagon SP2 in racing paint. I thought there were some in racing, couldn't find any photos on google.
Nice car.
I ve met this guy. I went to his place and talked to him about vws. Peace and love
this is a 100% brazillian car it's make all the brazillians orgulhous!
Never seen this before in my life
Strange nobody never show the SP1.
Love the video Please what did u pay for it
There are many of these in Brazil.
Very famous in Brazil.
4:18 .. what's the name of the song?
Would love to know what you paid for it.
3:34 name of the music pls??
What a sexy car
great find guys, vw ftw!
A 155 were exported to Nigeria, wonder how many survive today
Wild how much someone must go through sometimes to buy a car. Makes it that much more sentimental!
It looks like a Jensen Interceptor
Existe o SP1 raro até no brazil.
How would tow this if it needed to be recovered
Next video a toyota ea86
Marcio Piancastelli was the italian-brazilian lead designer, such a masterpiece.
Never seen one
it somehow makes you wonder what a porsche 911 engine would do for this car...
I guess they were never offered as RHD?
No. In Brazil VW made only LHD.
Looks like a better karmann ghia