Designed to combine accessibility, reliability and competitive performance, it became a benchmark in the training of young drivers and in national motorsport. Equipped with a low-cost, easy-to-maintain inline four-cylinder engine, it offers a responsive and instructive driving experience, allowing full exploration of the chassis dynamics and independent suspension.
The project was the brainchild of Eduardo Palmeira, known as “Mestre” Eduardo, who continued the tradition of artisanal craftsmanship that had flourished in Portuguese garages during the 1960s. The Aurora V stood out for its structural simplicity and the effectiveness of its tubular design, reflecting the philosophy of Formula V: to prioritise driving skill over sheer power. Created without major resources or formal engineering support, the Aurora V was the result of intuition, experience, and passion for motorsport.
Between 1967 and 1969, driver Rui de Carvalho, known as “Cavagnac”, became the main representative of the Aurora marque, competing against figures such as Joaquim Filipe Nogueira, Carlos Santos, António Barros, Jorge Santos, Fernando Albuquerque Oliveira, Robert Giannone and Carlos Azevedo. In September 1967, he secured the marque’s first circuit victory, winning the 2nd Circuito da Granja do Marquês. Two years later, he would race with this very Aurora V Evolution II, presented here after a meticulous restoration to its original specifications and livery — a true symbol of ingenuity, courage and passion for Portuguese motorsport.
This car was donated to the Museu do Caramulo by Lourenço Ferreira de Almeida.