“SooperPulga” 1973 Pulga Mk1
(Thanks to @Mr.Computah for letting me have some “fun” with the Pulga )
When you think of a Contendiente Pulga Mk1, what often comes to mind is a tiny Spanish car with a quaint, little 850cc i3 engine in the rear, powering the rear wheels. What doesn’t quite spring to mind is a track tearing, spatial rending monster that wants to kill its driver.
Well that is exactly what Contendiende did, with a little help from Nohda, proving that you dont have to own a million dollar hypercar to outdo everyone on the track, but instead purchase a small 1973 Pulga, and shove a superbike engine in the rear.
Now, you may think this sounds a little silly, and it is. The Pulga is a small little city car designed to do nothing more than ferry its passengers from one parking spot to another; but dont worry, this Pulga is hiding a little secret.
Pull away the body panels, which are of course custom made from lightweight kevlar reinforced fibreglass, and you will indeed find a 1973 Pulga Mk1 Chassis. Except for the suspension, because that is lifted straight from a Conte Enemigo WTCC race car.
Going to the back where the new 1.0L Nohda inline 4 sits. Now this isn’t any ordinary Nohda inline 4. No, this Nohda inline 4 is “borrowed” from the 2013 Nohda SB0013 World Superbike, and has been modified to fit a turbocharger. Which lets the car produce around 380hp and redlines at 11,000 RPM. This is then mated with a gearbox and differential lifted a 2016 Conte Pulga rally car, and what you have is a go kart on steroids.
The lack of weight (the car only weighs in at roughly 600kg), mixed with the tricked out engine, gearbox and differential means the “SooperPulga” goes from 0-60 in just 2.5 seconds, much faster than most sports cars, and considering that it is still RWD, quite amazing.
The only thing left to do now is to take it down to the local test track in Dunsfold and take it for a whirl
“After taking the car round the track several times, I noted that on most occasions, the car tried to kill me. Whoever had the bright idea that shoving a superbike engine in such a lightweight car is a crazed lunatic…if you want me Ill be back at home on the sofa watching reruns of Top Gear on Dave”
Matt Sierra
After being dragged back into the Pulga, I set off on the timed lap. Fighting the wheel (as it had no power steering) I managed to get the car around the track in an astonishing 1.13.31. This made it about .5 seconds faster than the Pagani Huayra while only costing a fraction of the cost, roughly $30,000 at 100% markup. Of course, you wont get everything the Huayra has like nice seats, soundproofing, a radio, carpets or even airbags, but at least you will have a certain smug face as you pass it in the corners.
Overall, this “SooperPulga” is without a doubt, the epitome of the “Thinn Meme” Matt Sierra signing out…
Oh and one extra thing…
Cough 380hp from a 1 Liter inline-4. I think you’ll find this is higher 