Amazonas Motos Especiais

Amazonas Motos Especiais
Company type	privately held company
Industry	automotive
Founded	1978; 46 years ago ; re-launched-2006
Founder	Luiz Antônio Gomide ; José Carlos Biston
Defunct	2009; 15 years ago
Headquarters	Manaus, Brazil
Key people	Guilherme Hannud Filho

Amazonas Motos Especiais, commonly shortened to Amazonas or AME, was a Brazilian manufacturer of motorcycles and automobiles.^[1]^[2]

History

In 1978, production of motorcycles began in plants in São Paulo and Manaus.^[1] The vehicles were also exported to the United States and to Europe and Japan.^[1] In 1986 there was a change of ownership.^[1] From 1987, automobiles and kit cars were also produced.^[1] Production ended in 1988. In total, about 700 motorcycles and a few cars were produced.^[1]

Production

The range included large motorcycles similar to those from Harley-Davidson.^[2] An air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine from VW do Brasil with 1600 cc displacement powered the vehicles.^[3] A sidecar was available from 1982.^[2]

In March 1987, the Porsche 550 replica was presented at a São Paulo International Motor Show.^[1] A tubular frame formed the basis.^[1] An open body made of fiberglass was mounted on it.^[1] The VW engine with either 1600 cm³, 1800 cm³ or 2160 cm³ displacement was placed behind the seats in mid-engine design.^[1] Production of 10 to 16 vehicles per month was planned. Already in the same year, the production of this model ended when Porsche decided to give the license to Chamonix NG Cars.^[1]

Relaunch

In 2006, the company resumed activities with new models and with the collaboration of the Loncin Corporation, with its headquarters in the Manaus.^[4]

Fate

No motorcycle has left the assembly line since 2009, after the partnership with the Chinese brand ended, the company went bankrupt.^[5]

Past models

Cruisers
- Amazonas 1600 (1978-1988)
- Amazonas 250 (2006-2009)
Scooters
- Amazonas 110 (2006-2009)
- Amazonas 125 (2006-2009)
- Amazonas 150 (2008-2009)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Scharinger, João. "Lexicar Brasil" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-08-14.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Amazonas 1600 tinha moto VW e título de maior do mundo" [Amazonas 1600 had VW motorcycle and the title of world's greatest]. duasrodas.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). 18 Feb 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
^ "Motovolks, opção nacional" [Motovolks, a national choice] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-08-14.
^ "Amazonas está de volta" [Amazonas is back again]. motonline.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 Feb 2007. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
^ "Indian, Kasinski e Buell: relembre marcas de motos que deixaram o Brasil" [Indian, Kasinski and Buell: remember the motorcycle brands that left Brazil]. Auto Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). 16 Aug 2018. Retrieved 2022-08-15.