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a white jeep that is parked in front of a buildinga white jeep that is parked in front of a buildinga white jeep parked in front of a large buildingan image of a jeep parked in front of a buildingan image of a white utility vehicle parked in front of a housea dog standing next to a white jeep parked in a drivewaya white jeep parked in front of a gatea white and black jeep parked in front of a large buildinga black and white jeep with a steering wheel and dashboarda black leather seat in the back of a cara white jeep with a black top parked in front of a buildingtwo seats in the back of a car with a seat belta steering wheel and dashboard of a car with a view of a house in the backgrounda steering wheel and dashboard of a car with a view of a grassy fielda steering wheel and dash board of a cara close up of a steering wheel in a cara close up of a car seat with a remote control in ita baseball bat sticking out of the back of a car seata close up view of the engine of a cara close up view of the front end of a trucka close up of a metal plate with a number on ita close up of a sign on the side of a trucka tire in the trunk of a car with it ' s hood opena large white truck with a glass top on the back of ita white car with a black top parked in a gravel lota black cover on the top of a white jeepa picture of a rear end of a white trucka white truck with a winch attached to it ' s sidea close up of a white vehicle with a black grilla close up of a white hummer truck parked on a gravel lota cat that is sitting on the tire of a cara close up view of a truck wheel with a logo on ita close up of a vehicle with a dog in the back seata baseball bat sticking out of the back of a cara close up of a black and white vehicle with its door opena close up of a white car with the word gurgel on ita close up of the rear end of a white trucka small piece of luggage sitting on the back of a trucka cooler sitting on top of the back of a trucka close up of a car door handle with a small bird on ita close up of a white jeep with its hood upa close up of a badge on the back of a white truck
Premium Artcurial

43 - 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12 No reserve
See original version (French)

Estimate €25,000 - €35,000
Sale commission
Description
1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12 No reserve Manufacturer: 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12 Model: No reserve Registration document: French registration certificate Chassis No.: Chassis No. X12783014 - Car belonging to photographer and film director Mathieu César - Ideal holiday car, suitable for all terrains - Rare in Europe, reliable and easy to maintain - Exotic and exclusive, fewer than 1,000 built - No reserve   After working in the United States at General Motors, the engineer Joao Conrado do Amaral Gurgel from São Paulo founded his first company in the 1960s and produced various go-karts, buggies, children’s go-karts and leisure vehicles. Subsequently, an agreement was reached with Volkswagen Brasil in 1970, and production began on the Xavante utility vehicles, based on a VW chassis and mechanical components with fibreglass bodywork. Soon, a proprietary, patented tubular space-frame chassis was adopted, along with a highly ingenious system called ‘Seletraction’ with selective rear braking, which, like a limited-slip differential, allowed power to be transferred to one wheel when the other had lost grip. It made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1979, and each year the Xavante received significant improvements, as seen on the 1978 model featured in this sale.   Imported from Brazil in 2023, the car in this sale was the subject of a full feature in the November 2023 issue (#490) of Auto Rétro magazine. It has been fully serviced: the 1600 cm³ engine, the braking system, the steering, the electrical system, the oil has been changed and a new battery fitted (invoices available). The chassis and underbody are in very good condition, as confirmed by a recent assessment by YAB Expertise Automobile; the doors are well-aligned and the paintwork is of a very high standard. It is fitted with front and rear skid plates, a manual winch on the front bumper, a sand shovel mounted on the driver’s door and a holder for a 20-litre jerrycan. The black vinyl upholstery is in very good condition and the tyres are new. This charming five-seater car, a cross between the Jeep Willys and the Citroën Méhari, stands out for its modular bodywork. The doors, side windows and soft top are removable, whilst a ‘Bikini top’ clips onto the windscreen, which can be folded down. A fixed roll bar ensures good protection in the event of an accident. This charming vehicle was purchased at Artcurial in February 2025 by Mathieu César, a renowned photographer and, more recently, a film director whose debut film, *Abracadabra*, starring Romain Duris, is due for release next January. As the owner of a pleasure boat moored in a small harbour in the south-east, she used it to get about with elegance and originality! This rare, reliable car with its stunning looks awaits you for drives off the beaten track or along the coast. A protective cover is supplied with the car. French title Chassis no. X12783014 - Owned by photographer and director Mathieu César - Ideal holiday car, suitable for all road surfaces - Rare in Europe, reliable and easy to maintain - Exotic and exclusive, fewer than 1,000 built - No reserve 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12   After working in the United States for General Motors, engineer João Conrado do Amaral Gurgel from São Paulo set up his first company in the 1960s, producing a range of go-karts, buggies, children’s ride-on cars and leisure vehicles. An agreement was signed with Volkswagen Brasil in 1970, and production began on the Xavante commercial vehicles, based on a VW chassis and mechanical components with fibreglass bodywork. An in-house, patented tubular trellis frame was soon adopted, along with an ingenious ‘Seletraction’ system featuring selective rear braking, which, like a self-locking differential, allows power to be transferred to one wheel when the other loses grip. It made its first European appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in 1979, and each year the Xavante underwent significant improvements, as evident in the 1978 model for sale here.   Imported from Brazil in 2023, the car for sale was the subject of a full article in the November 2023 issue of Auto Rétro magazine (no. 490). The 1600 cc engine, braking system, steering and electrical system have been completely overhauled; the oil has been changed and the battery replaced (invoices included). The chassis and underbody are in very good condition, as confirmed by the recent expert report drawn up by YAB Expertise Automobile. The windows are well aligned and the paintwork is of very good quality. It is fitted with a sump guard at the front and rear, a manual winch on the front bumper, a sand shovel attached to the driver’s door, and a 20-litre jerry can holder. The black vinyl upholstery is in very good condition and the tyres are new. This charming five-seater, a cross between the Jeep Willys and the Citroën Méhari, stands out thanks to the ability to adjust its body components. The doors, side windows and soft top are removable, and the windscreen can be fitted with a ‘Bikini Top’ hood, which can be folded down. A fixed roll bar provides protection in the event of an accident. This delightful motor car was acquired at Artcurial in February 2025 by Mathieu César, the celebrated photographer and, more recently, filmmaker, whose directorial debut, *Abracadabra*, starring Romain Duris, is due for release next January. As the owner of a pleasure craft moored in a charming little harbour in the south of France, César chose this wonderfully distinctive car for his local excursions — an elegant and decidedly original way to travel. This rare, reliable car, boasting stunning looks, is waiting to take you off the beaten track or to the seaside. A protective cover is supplied with the car. 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12 No reserve Manufacturer: 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12 Model: No reserve Vehicle registration document: French title Chassis No.: Chassis no. X12783014 - Owned by photographer and director Mathieu César - Ideal holiday car, suitable for all road surfaces - Rare in Europe, reliable and easy to maintain - Exotic and exclusive, fewer than 1,000 built - No reserve 1978 GURGEL XAVANTE X12   After working for General Motors in the United States, engineer João Conrado do Amaral Gurgel from São Paulo set up his first company in the 1960s, producing a range of go-karts, buggies, children’s ride-on cars and leisure vehicles. An agreement was signed with Volkswagen Brasil in 1970, and production began on the Xavante commercial vehicles, based on a VW chassis and mechanical components with fibreglass bodywork. An in-house, patented tubular trellis frame was soon adopted, along with an ingenious ‘Seletraction’ system featuring selective rear braking, which, like a self-locking differential, allows power to be transferred to one wheel when the other loses grip. It made its first European appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in 1979, and each year the Xavante underwent significant improvements, as evident in the 1978 model for sale here.   Imported from Brazil in 2023, the car for sale was the subject of a full article in the November 2023 issue of Auto Rétro magazine (no. 490). The 1600 cc engine, braking system, steering and electrical system have been completely overhauled; the oil has been changed and the battery replaced (invoices included). The chassis and underbody are in very good condition, as confirmed by the recent expert report drawn up by YAB Expertise Automobile. The windows are well aligned and the paintwork is of very good quality. It is fitted with a sump guard at the front and rear, a manual winch on the front bumper, a sand shovel attached to the driver’s door, and a 20-litre jerry can holder. The black vinyl upholstery is in very good condition and the tyres are new. This charming five-seater, a cross between the Jeep Willys and the Citroën Méhari, stands out thanks to the ability to adjust its body components. The doors, side windows and soft top are removable, and the windscreen can be fitted with a ‘Bikini Top’ hood, which can be folded down. A fixed roll bar provides protection in the event of an accident. This delightful motor car was acquired at Artcurial in February 2025 by Mathieu César, the celebrated photographer and, more recently, filmmaker, whose directorial debut, *Abracadabra*, starring Romain Duris, is due for release next January. As the owner of a pleasure boat moored in a charming little harbour in the south of France, César chose this wonderfully distinctive car for his local excursions — an elegant and decidedly original way to travel. This rare, reliable car, boasting stunning looks, is waiting to take you off the beaten track or to the seaside. A protective cover is supplied with the car.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Cars on the Champs
Auction location
Auction time 10/25/2026 at 4:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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