**PHOTOS**
1: Labate 1903, with VW mechanics, was the first “calhambeque” built by Cláudio Labate (source: Fusca&Cia).
3: Labate 1922, with Opala mechanical elements, assembled in 2005 on a 1929 Ford model A chassis; the original body was altered and complemented with fiberglass elements (source: Opala&Cia).
4: Steering wheel of the Labate 1922. It was supposed to be more normal, but due to a mistake, the steering column was too short. To remedy this, Cláudio created this steering wheel design, which in the end ended up matching the car’s eccentric style.
5: Labate 1929.
7 & 8: Labate 1934 (source: Paulo Roberto Steinhoff/ carro.mercadolivre).
9: Going beyond all kitch limits, this Labate carriage (also called Labate 1934) has a maroon velvet rear seat on a metal structure completely decorated with golden flowers (source: Paulo Roberto Steinhoff / carro.mercadolivre).
**HISTORY**
These vehicles were designed by Cláudio Labate, a self-taught man whose career in the field began in 1977, when he built the Bugster, one of the first Baja Bugs in Brazil.
Starting in 1991, Labate began building “calhambeques” (a generic term that in Brazil refers to various models of automobiles produced in the early days of the automobile industry, especially those built up until the end of the 1930s), completely free interpretations of real models from the first decades of the 20th century, with style and construction details and finishing decided empirically. The cars bore his name, accompanied by the year of manufacture of the model that, theoretically, had inspired him. Half a dozen examples were produced, among them Labate 1903 (with VW mechanics and rear engine), 1922 (four-cylinder Chevrolet Opala engine), 1929 and 1934 Limousine and carriage (Ford Windsor V8 engine). There are plans to build other units, each one different from the other.
Labate now rents out its “old” spaces for weddings and receptions.
These cars were made by Cláudio Labate, a self-taught Brazilian man. They’re weirdly beautiful pieces coming from a creative mind.
