**A BIT OF FNM’S HISTORY**
Opened on June 13, 1942, the Fábrica Nacional de Motores (National Motor Factory) was an initiative of Getúlio Vargas to industrialize Brazil. Initially, it produced Wright-Cyclone aircraft engines, but these soon became obsolete, so its production capacity had to be used in other ways. In 1947, it became a publicly traded corporation and signed a contract with the Italian company Isotta-Fraschini for the production of the first Brazilian trucks, the FNM D-7300 models. However, the bankruptcy of the Italian brand forced the Brazilian company to look for a new partner, which it found in, the also Italian, Alfa Romeo. This began the production of the D-9500 series trucks and later the JK-2000 sedan (Brazilian version of the Alfa Romeo 2000). In 1968, it came under the control of Alfa Romeo and, from 1974, it began to market the 2300 sedan (a Brazilian exclusive car that used the Alfa Romeo 2150 platform and had a style based on the Alfa Romeo Alfetta) under the Cuore brand.
**THE ONÇA**
FNM was still experiencing serious organizational problems until the company’s presidency was taken over by Col. Jorge Alberto Silveira Martins. As proof of the progress his management had brought, he decided it was time to design a car model, instead of just manufacturing Alfa Romeo designs.
Contacts were then made with Brasinca (a coachbuilder famous for its transformations and the Brasinca 4200 GT Uirapuru sports car) and with Rino Malzoni’s Lumimar (which would later become Puma Veículos S/A), and the latter’s design, designed by Anísio Campos, was chosen.
The car was named Onça, in keeping with the nationalist tone that marked the time, because after all, if the English had Jaguar, we would have Onça. The first prototype was taken to the Feira Brasileira do Atlântico, and the public’s impression was not very positive, leading to a complete reevaluation of the design.
The first prototype had heavy lines and double headlights that did not please the public. Source: Personal Archive – https://nivelandoaengenharia.com.br/wp-content/uploads/FNM-On%C3%A7a-1.png
Under the leadership of legendary Italian designer Rino Malzoni, the FNM Onça had a striking and sporty look, with new lines that evoked the power and agility of felines. The inspiration from the recently launched Ford Mustang was evident, but the Onça had its own identity maintaining the identity of the Italian brand with the presence of the cuore and the mustaches as well as with details that made it unique. The light and resistant fiberglass body contributed to a more fluid and sporty design, while the interior was luxurious, with leather seats, AM radio, ventilation, Walrod steering wheel and high-quality finishes, offering a luxurious and immersive environment. The choice of fiberglass, in addition to making the vehicle lighter, allowed for the creation of more complex and bold shapes, hallmarks of Italian design.
The project was presented to the FNM board and approved, and was conducted internally under code AR0200, within Project 109, using as a base the FNM TIMB platform, with a wheelbase shortened by 29 cm (11.42 in) and an overall length 22 cm (8.66 in) shorter. The smaller dimensions, combined with the fiberglass-reinforced plastic body, meant that the Onça weighed only 1100 kg (2425 lbs) 260 kg (573.2 lbs) less than the TIMB.
Under the hood, the FNM Onça housed a 1,974 cc, four-cylinder in-line Alfa Romeo engine capable of delivering 115 horsepower (more than the JK’s 95, due to the higher compression ratio generated by the pistons with new top geometry and also due to the two double Weber carburetors). This engine, combined with the five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, gave the Onça thrilling performance and a unique driving experience. The four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes on the front wheels ensured dynamic and safe behavior, even on the most challenging curves.
The model was ready in time for the 1966 Auto Show, where it attracted attention amid other major launches such as the Uirapuru convertible, Ford Galaxie and Puma DKW.
The Onça during its launch at the 1966 Auto Show. Source: WebMotors – https://nivelandoaengenharia.com.br/wp-content/uploads/FNM-On%C3%A7a-4.png
The car’s logo was inspired by the feline that gave it its name. Source: WebMotors – https://nivelandoaengenharia.com.br/wp-content/uploads/On%C3%A7a-Logo.png
In the first test carried out by FNM chief engineer Hamílcar Barone, a curious problem occurred, reported here by Roberto Nasser, owner of one of the rare remaining Onças:
“After passing the gatehouse, (Barone) stopped at the beginning of the straight, mile-long avenue that connects the factory to the Petrópolis-Rio highway, called the engine to speak, used the whip and let go of the reins. The Pirelli Cinturato 175 x 80 x 400 tires spun, the swirling of gases passing through the hemispherical chambers, in a cross flow, in the intake-burning-exhaust cycle, made the Alfa’s aural signature, and translated the engine’s satisfaction in moving something lighter, more compatible with its vocation. First at 5,000 rpm, quick change, protest from the second gear synchronizer, slight slippage, the elastic joints of the driveshaft compressed. At 5,700 rpm, in third, full throttle, the roar of the gases was still present. At one hundred kilometers per hour, suddenly, a noise and everything went dark: above their heads, a rapid noise of something being ripped off. The roof lining came off and fell on the occupants, like a large, empty airbag. Barone managed to stop the car in a straight line, with a fright, but without damage.”
The reason for the roof detachment was no less curious: it happened because the air intakes in the front fenders had channeled the air into the roof pillars, inflating the lining until it tore. These intakes no longer exist in the production model.
The mechanical platform was produced in Xerém in Rio de Janeiro and then transported to Matão, in the interior of São Paulo, where it was cut to reach the dimensions already mentioned and received the body and paint. It then returned to Xerém where it received the finishing touches and was then sold. This was one of the reasons for its high price, and may also have been one of the reasons for the premature end of its production.
In total, eight bodies were produced, seven of which were delivered to FNM and one of which had its mold kept by Malzoni. Of these, five were assembled by the company and the remaining two were acquired by an employee, who assembled one using the remains of a crashed JK. Currently, the whereabouts of only three of these units are known.
**TECHNICAL DATA**
ENGINE
·Location: Front
·Mounting: Longitudinal
·Type: Gasoline-powered, four-cylinder in-line, two valves per cylinder, water-cooled
·Displacement: 1975 cc
·Compression ratio: 8.25:1
·Fuel supply: Two double-barrel Weber carburetors
·Power: 115 hp at 5900 rpm
·Torque: 17.0 kgfm (166.71 Nm) at 3600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: Manual, five-speed, rear-wheel drive
STEERING: Mechanical, rack and pinion type
BRAKES: Drum on all four wheels
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT.
·Length: 4425 mm (174.21 in)
·Width: 1671 mm (65.8 in)
·Weight: 1100 kg (2425 lbs)
PERFORMANCE (Top speed): 180 km/h (112 mph)
SOURCES
1: https://nivelandoaengenharia.com.br/pt/blog/2016/09/18/fnm-onca-o-felino-brasileiro-em-extincao/
2: https://garagemmaster.com.br/o-sonho-brasileiro-que-durou-pouco-a-historia-do-fnm-onca/
The FNM Onça a Brazilian coupe that was inspired by the Mustang, mixing it’s style with that of Alfa Romeo into one car. Car’s history on the post below. Last image comparing it to the Mustang.
