Amazonas 1600: The Brazilian motorcycle powered by a VW Beetle engine

In the late 1970s, Brazilian mechanic Daniel Rodríguez developed the Amazonas 1600, a unique large-scale motorcycle designed to circumvent strict national import restrictions. At the time, protectionist policies prevented the Brazilian police and public from accessing large-displacement Japanese motorcycles.

To meet the needs of the national police force, Rodríguez utilized the readily available 1,584 cc air-cooled boxer engine from the Volkswagen Beetle, which was already being manufactured locally. The resulting machine weighed over 400 kg and featured a distinctive four-cylinder flat engine configuration.

The civilian version of the Amazonas 1600 produced approximately 53 hp, while the version intended for law enforcement reached 68 hp. The motorcycle was characterized by its heavy build and high torque, utilizing a four-speed gearbox and a belt final drive.