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{{Short description|Automobile manufacturing company}}{{EngvarB|date=May 2018}}
⚫ ]
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}


{{Infobox company
'''Bufori''' is a modern brand of rare automobiles resembling 1930s coupes. The company is owned by ] brothers Anthony, George and Gerry Khouri. In ], Gerry Khouri began work on a hobby, the simple aim of which was to build three special sports cars, one each for the three brothers. Out of this hobby emerged Bufori Motor Car Company.
| name = Bufori Motor Car Company
| logo = buforiLOGO-BIG.gif
| type = ]
| foundation = 1986 by Khouri Brothers (Anthony, George and Gerry)
| location_city = ], ]
| location_country = ]
| area_served = Southeast Asia
| key_people = Gerry Khouri, Anthony Khouri, George Khouri
| num_employees = 108 (2012)
| industry = ]
| products = ]s
| revenue = Unknown
⚫ | homepage =
}}


'''Bufori''' is an Australian-Malaysian brand of hand-built ] inspired by American 1930s ]. The company is owned by three Australian Lebanese brothers Anthony, George and Gerry Khouri. In 1986, Gerry Khouri began to build three special sports cars in his garage, one each for the three brothers, which led to the formation of the company. The name ''Bufori'' is an ] that stands for B – Beautiful, U – Unique, F – Funtastic, O – Original, R – Romantic, I – Irresistible.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bufori.com/history/ |title=Official Bufori Website}}</ref>
⚫ The Bufori Motor Car Company Pty. Ltd. is a proprietary company limited by shares and registered in ] as is the Bufori Motor Car Company (M) Sdn. Bhd. is in ]. Originally, all of the manufacturing and sales operations were conducted in Australia. However, as of January ] the full production of the Bufori range of sports cars is carried out at the new facilities at Kepong, a suburb of ], in Malaysia.


⚫ The Bufori Motor Car Company Pty. Ltd. is a proprietary company limited by shares and registered in Australia, as is the Bufori Motor Car Company (M) Sdn. Bhd. in ]. Originally, all of the manufacturing and sales operations were conducted in ], but in 1998 full production moved to new facilities in ], a suburb of ], in Malaysia.
The Bufori Motor Car Company has evolved and developed into a reputable manufacturer of exotic handmade sports cars. Bufori has produced two models to date: The MK II roadster and the MK III coupe. Each vehicle is fully customizable with a base price of ]110,000.


The production facility in Kuala Lumpur has an installed capacity of 300 vehicles per year, and the company employs 108 ]. Each unit is built by hand using traditional techniques in a 25-step production process. The body of a Bufori is made out of ] and ] composite material, which is light and ultra-strong. Every Bufori is ] and can be customised according to the owner's wishes.
==Company history==
⚫ ]


The Bufori MKI, MKII and MKIII La Joya are displayed at the Malaysian National Automotive Museum based at the ] since 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmm.gov.my/en/national-automobile-museum-sepang |title= Official website of National Automobile Museum, Sepang}}</ref>
The Bufori evolved from the Australian version of the '''Madison''' kit car, as produced by GP Vehicles of Great Britain. The local rights to this Volkswagen Beetle based kit car were bought by an Australian Company which also traded under the GP Vehicles name.


==Current models==
Substantial changes had to be made to comply with design and safety rules in Australia. GP Vehicles' three man operation was producing three cars per year (some with ] engines), along with about five to six kits. Prices ranged from $15-17,000 for a completed car, $4-8,000 for a kit. They also built three front engined versions of this vehicle; two had 2 litre ] engines and the third larger prototype had a 3.8 litre ] (GM) V6.


===Bufori Geneva (2010 – present)===
Gerry Khouri bought three of the ]-based kits with the aim of building one for himself, one for a friend, and one for resale as a complete car to finance the purchases. He eventually purchased the Australian rights and all moulds and jigs from GP Vehicles. The VW based cars were improved and renamed by Bufori and uprated in terms of fittings. Sales of the original kits ceased as this was thought (rightly so in most cases) to produce an inferior car. Bufori did go on to build two more V6 engined vehicles (one of which completed the ]), but sadly nothing more came of this model.
⚫ ]
A four-door car defined as a "Luxury Saloon", which was introduced at the 2010 ] (hence its name). It features a 6.1L ] ] ] producing 430&nbsp;hp. The ] was later on updated to a 6.4L V8 producing 470&nbsp;hp. The interior of the car is highly customisable. The rear centre console can accommodate an automatic ], a Chinese ] with instant boiling water, a fridge, a cigar ] or a ]. The rear lounge seats are electrically adjustable and feature heating & cooling as well as a ] massage device. The seatback trays are electrically actuated. The rear doors are rear-hinged (so-called "]") and can be closed electrically by the press of a button. The car is also equipped with a ] and an adjustable ].


==Former models==
Instead, the decision was made to upgrade the original body style to incorporate electric windows and to iron out some of the existing assembly problems with that body. This process was overseen by George Khouri, who had no previous experience in building cars. The result of this was that no cars were produced for nearly a year. (Meanwhile the V6 model - at an advanced state of development - sat in the corner of the workshop.)


===Bufori Madison (1986–1988)===
Eventually the '''Mark II''' was ready for production and was well received. By this time prices had risen to $45,000. After nearly a year of sales, someone decided to undertake a costing on the production. It was discovered that the cost to produce the Mark II was around $63-65,000 - and that was before sales tax was added!
]
Two-seat ] with soft top; 1.6L, ], 4 ], rear-mounted, ] ]; ]; ]; ].


===Bufori MK I (1988–1992) ===
Production was eventually moved to Malaysia under a (minor party) joint venture with a Malaysian company, but never really got off the ground before the joint venture partners fell out. The Malaysian company seized all of the assets, which were in turn seized by their receivers. The Khouris were able to buy them all back at auction.
Two-seat ] with soft top; 1.6 – 2.1L, Volkswagen, 4 ], rear-mounted, ], ], rear-mounted boxer engine; ], ] or ]; ].


===Bufori V6i (1992–1994)===
A new joint venture company was set up some time later, and with a change in Malaysian laws, the Khouris were able to retain control.
⚫ ]
2+2-seat ] with retractable soft top; 3.8L, ], ], ], front-mounted engine; ]; ].


===Bufori MK II – Series 1 and Series 2 (1992–2003)===
== External links ==
]
⚫ {{commonscat|Bufori vehicles}}
Two- and 2+2-seat ] with soft top or removable hard top; 1.8 – 2.2L, 4 ], ], ], ], rear-mounted Subaru ]; ]; ] or ]; ].
⚫ *

⚫ *
=== {{anchor|La Joya}} Bufori La Joya (2004 – 2018)===
]
Two-seat coupe; 2.7L, ], ], ], ], ], mid-mounted engine; ]; ], ], ] and ] composite body, ] ], ], ], ], ], ] set, ].

===Bufori BMS R1 (2009)===
]
The Bufori BMS R1 is the race derivative of the Bufori CS road car that is still to be launched. The car is a joint effort between Bufori Motor Sports (BMS) and Axle Motorsports. The BMS R1 made its global racing debut at the 2009 ] with ] as its driver.

== References ==
{{reflist}}


== See also == == See also ==
⚫ *
*] *]


⚫ {{commons category|Bufori vehicles}}
{{auto-company-stub}}

{{Automotive industry in Malaysia}}
{{Automotive industry in Australia}}


] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 16:37, 8 January 2025

Automobile manufacturing company

Bufori Motor Car Company
Company typePrivate Limited Company
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1986 by Khouri Brothers (Anthony, George and Gerry)
HeadquartersKepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Area servedSoutheast Asia
Key peopleGerry Khouri, Anthony Khouri, George Khouri
ProductsAutomobiles
RevenueUnknown
Number of employees108 (2012)
Websitewww.bufori.com

Bufori is an Australian-Malaysian brand of hand-built automobiles inspired by American 1930s coupes. The company is owned by three Australian Lebanese brothers Anthony, George and Gerry Khouri. In 1986, Gerry Khouri began to build three special sports cars in his garage, one each for the three brothers, which led to the formation of the company. The name Bufori is an acronym that stands for B – Beautiful, U – Unique, F – Funtastic, O – Original, R – Romantic, I – Irresistible.

The Bufori Motor Car Company Pty. Ltd. is a proprietary company limited by shares and registered in Australia, as is the Bufori Motor Car Company (M) Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia. Originally, all of the manufacturing and sales operations were conducted in Australia, but in 1998 full production moved to new facilities in Kepong, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia.

The production facility in Kuala Lumpur has an installed capacity of 300 vehicles per year, and the company employs 108 craftsmen. Each unit is built by hand using traditional techniques in a 25-step production process. The body of a Bufori is made out of carbon fibre and Kevlar composite material, which is light and ultra-strong. Every Bufori is made to order and can be customised according to the owner's wishes.

The Bufori MKI, MKII and MKIII La Joya are displayed at the Malaysian National Automotive Museum based at the Sepang International Circuit since 2003.

Current models

Bufori Geneva (2010 – present)

Bufori Geneva

A four-door car defined as a "Luxury Saloon", which was introduced at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show (hence its name). It features a 6.1L Chrysler HEMI V8 engine producing 430 hp. The powertrain was later on updated to a 6.4L V8 producing 470 hp. The interior of the car is highly customisable. The rear centre console can accommodate an automatic coffee machine, a Chinese tea set with instant boiling water, a fridge, a cigar humidor or a mini-bar. The rear lounge seats are electrically adjustable and feature heating & cooling as well as a pneumatic massage device. The seatback trays are electrically actuated. The rear doors are rear-hinged (so-called "coach doors") and can be closed electrically by the press of a button. The car is also equipped with a thermal night-vision camera and an adjustable air suspension.

Former models

Bufori Madison (1986–1988)

Bufori Madison

Two-seat convertible with soft top; 1.6L, Volkswagen, 4 cylinder, rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine; rear-wheel drive; manual transmission; 4-wheel independent suspension.

Bufori MK I (1988–1992)

Two-seat convertible with soft top; 1.6 – 2.1L, Volkswagen, 4 cylinder, rear-mounted, twin carb, air-cooled, rear-mounted boxer engine; rear-wheel drive, automatic or manual transmission; 4-wheel independent suspension.

Bufori V6i (1992–1994)

Bufori V6i

2+2-seat convertible with retractable soft top; 3.8L, Buick V6, EFI, water-cooled, front-mounted engine; rear wheel drive; 4-wheel independent suspension.

Bufori MK II – Series 1 and Series 2 (1992–2003)

Bufori MK II Series 1 and Series 2

Two- and 2+2-seat convertible with soft top or removable hard top; 1.8 – 2.2L, 4 cylinder, DOHC, EFI, water-cooled, rear-mounted Subaru boxer engine; rear wheel drive; automatic or manual transmission; 4-wheel independent suspension.

Bufori La Joya (2004 – 2018)

Bufori MKIII La Joya

Two-seat coupe; 2.7L, Hyundai GB6A, V6, EFI, quad cam, water-cooled, mid-mounted engine; rear wheel drive; tiptronic transmission, 4-wheel independent suspension, Carbon Fibre and Kevlar composite body, spaceframe chassis, ABS, EBD, traction control, cruise control, Bluetooth set, tyre pressure monitoring system.

Bufori BMS R1 (2009)

Alex Yoong with the Bufori BMS R1 race car.

The Bufori BMS R1 is the race derivative of the Bufori CS road car that is still to be launched. The car is a joint effort between Bufori Motor Sports (BMS) and Axle Motorsports. The BMS R1 made its global racing debut at the 2009 Macau Grand Prix with Alex Yoong as its driver.

References

  1. "Official Bufori Website".
  2. "Official website of National Automobile Museum, Sepang".

See also

Malaysia Automotive industry in Malaysia
Malaysian
vehicle manufacturers
Active
Defunct
Malaysian-foreign
joint venture
vehicle manufacturers
and assemblers
Active
Defunct
Malaysian
coachbuilders
Related topics
Automotive industry in Australia
Australian vehicle
manufacturers
Defunct vehicle
manufacturers
Components
Distributors
Subsidiaries of
foreign companies
Related topics
Categories: