**INTRODUCTION**
The small-scale production car segment in Brazil, also known as off-the-shelf cars, reached its peak in terms of volume and quality of finish at the end of the 1980s. After years of stagnation in terms of new products, the market had been closed to imports for years, small manufacturers had already developed a lot of technique and inventiveness in the production of off-the-shelf cars, and we had a good number of models and factories in full operation at that time.
It was in this productive environment that former motorcycle racer Almir Donato decided to build a two-door, 2 + 2, three-volume coupe.
**THE ALDEE BRAND AND THE ALDEE GT**
The Aldee brand was founded in 1983 by motorcycle racing champion Almir José Donato, when he founded Almir Donato Equipamentos Esportivos in São Paulo (SP). He began his activities by manufacturing accessories, transforming pickup trucks into double cabins and even building small motorcycles, but soon developed his first automobile, the beautiful Aldee GT 1.8 Street, launched at the 2nd Extra-de-Série Vehicle Show in the first half of 1987.
The car used the physical and mechanical platform, AP 1.8s engine, of the VW Gol GTS, produced by Metalúrgica Demoral in São Paulo, Volkswagen Gol structure (platform, firewall and engine cradle). The entire body of the VW model was “cut out”, leaving only the floor structure, with the engine compartment, the propeller and the gearbox. The fiberglass body was placed on top of this structure.
The great advantage of adopting this solution was greater torsional rigidity of the assembly, in addition to greater lightness, which made the Aldee an outstanding sports car with excellent dynamic behavior. The entire assembly weighed 972 kg (2142.89 lbs). In the same way, the entire interior of the car was changed, bringing touches of refinement, modernity and exclusivity.
The design had clean, eye-pleasing lines, with a wedge-shaped front and high rear. The Aldee GT was born, Aldee being the nickname for Almir Donato Sports Equipment.
Although the mechanical base was of VW origin, exclusive parts were developed for the Aldee, unlike other off-the-shelf models of the time. The interior highlights include the digital electronic panel, electric sunroof and set of front and rear seats with a special pattern. The small three-spoke steering wheel gave it a very sporty feel.
The exterior of the Aldee was also impressive, especially with its well-resolved sports coupe design. The low front and high rear solution is extremely pleasing to the eye.
The exclusive 14-inch rims were mounted on 195-inch tires with a 60-inch profile. The cherry on the cake were the retractable headlights, which in the 1980s were synonymous with sportiness and modernity. Consumers at the time could choose their Aldee in Ferrari red, blue, white and champagne, paying a trifle of up to two million cruzados, the currency of the time.
At the front, retractable headlights and taillights and a grille combined in a slender and elegant horizontal set; inside, leather upholstery, a dashboard with digital instruments and a sunroof and electrically operated rear-view mirrors.
The trunk was spacious: 340 liters (12 ft³). The Aldee soon showed excellent sports performance, its performance improving even further after the XV Auto Show in 1988, when it began using the VW AP 2.0 engine.
Until 1990, 16 units of the GT were manufactured, the last of which was transformed by Almir into a racing car. The preparation of the 2.0 engine increased the power to 180 hp, allowing speeds of up to 200 km/h (124.27 mph) for this first sports version, equipped with a new tubular chassis, known as the Aldee Street/Racing. Its victory in the 1990 Brazilian Mil Milhas (1.6 category) encouraged Almir to produce other models, using the same bodywork as the Street, but with more profound changes to the structure and mechanics.
Thus the Aldee Racing was born. The main differences were the tubular chassis of its own design and the lighter bodywork; the VW 2.0 engine, which in the first cars of the series was mounted at the front, was moved to the rear from 1993 onwards. With the reduction in weight, the car gained an additional 10 km/h (6.21 mph) in top speed, continuing its victorious career in endurance races, frequently surpassing the greatest stars of world sport, such as BMW, Porsche and Ferrari. The Racing was produced in 54 units.
SOURCES
https://www.lexicarbrasil.com.br/464/
https://blogdocarelli.blogspot.com/2023/04/aldee-o-fora-de-serie-das-ruas-que-fez.html?m=1
The Aldee GT a Brazilian three volume coupe made with Volkswagen parts.
