Difference between revisions of "De Tomaso"
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| − | Originally, De Tomaso produced various prototypes and racing cars, including a [[Formula 1]] car for [[Frank Williams]]'s team in | + | '''De Tomaso''' is an [[Italy|Italian]] [[automobile|car]]-manufacturing company. It was founded by the [[Argentina|Argentinian]]-born [[Alejandro de Tomaso]] (1928–2003) in [[Modena]] in 1959. |
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| + | Originally, De Tomaso produced various prototypes and racing cars, including a [[Formula 1]] car for [[Frank Williams]]'s team in 1970. | ||
== De Tomaso sports cars == | == De Tomaso sports cars == | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Pan.jpg|thumb|350px|'''Pantera at Wheels Of Italy''']] | |
| − | De Tomaso's first road-going production model was the [[De Tomaso Vallelunga|Vallelunga]], introduced in | + | De Tomaso's first road-going production model was the [[De Tomaso Vallelunga|Vallelunga]], introduced in 1963. This striking mid-engined sports car was propelled with a 104 hp (78 kW) [[Ford]] [[Ford Cortina|Cortina]] engine, and had a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). It featured an [[aluminium]] backbone [[chassis]], which was to become De Tomaso's technological trademark, and [[fibreglass]] bodywork. |
| − | The first De Tomaso produced in anything like significant numbers, the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]], introduced in | + | The first De Tomaso produced in anything like significant numbers, the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]], introduced in 1966, was also the first to be developed in association with [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], a firm which was to have a decisive influence on De Tomaso's early life. With the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]] De Tomaso moved from European to American [[Ford]] engines; powered by a 4.7 L iron-block [[V8]] engine and with [[steel]] and [[aluminium]] coupé bodywork from [[Ghia]] – an Italian coachbuilder also controlled by [[Alejandro de Tomaso]] – the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]] could more than compete with contemporary [[Ferrari]]s and [[Lamborghini]]s on looks, if not on cachet. With its flowing panels and almost absurdly raked rear window, the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]] was a true Italian supercar. About 400 examples were built until production ended in 1971. |
| − | The [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]] was succeeded by the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]], the car that was to put De Tomaso on the map – if only briefly. It appeared in | + | The [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]] was succeeded by the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]], the car that was to put De Tomaso on the map – if only briefly. It appeared in 1970 with a 5.8 L [[Ford]] V8 and a low, wedge-shaped body designed by [[Ghia]]'s Tom Tjaarda. Though less visually arresting than the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]], the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] looked set to vault De Tomaso into the ranks of the supercar giants. Through an agreement with [[Ford]], De Tomaso sold [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]]s in the [[United States of America|USA]] through [[Ford]]'s [[Lincoln (automobile)|Lincoln]] and [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] dealers. Between 1970 and 1973, 6,128 [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]]s were produced in [[Modena]], dwarfing the intensity of any De Tomaso production runs before or since. Sadly for the firm (and for American supercar fans), the poor quality of Italian [[steel]] of the time, combined with the oil crises of the early 1970s, caused [[Ford]] to pull out of the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] deal at the end of 1973. (Other supercars of the same era, such as the [[Frua]]-bodied [[AC Cars|AC]] 427 and 428, were to cease production completely for the same reasons.) |
| − | After its brief flowering as a mass-production car, the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] settled down during the 1970s and into the 1980s as an ordinary, small-production but 'invisible' Italian supercar. This was a shame, as it combined the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]]'s sound mechanicals and (almost as) striking looks with a larger engine and a more luxurious interior. Price-wise, it was much more affordable than its rivals from [[Ferrari]], [[Lamborghini]], [[Aston Martin]] and [[Iso]]. [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] production continued at a greatly reduced scale, incorporating a [[Marcello Gandini]] facelift and engine tweaking in | + | [[Image:PanterasWOI.jpg|thumb|300px|left|'''Some Pantera's at Wheels Of Italy''']] |
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| + | After its brief flowering as a mass-production car, the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] settled down during the 1970s and into the 1980s as an ordinary, small-production but 'invisible' Italian supercar. This was a shame, as it combined the [[De Tomaso Mangusta|Mangusta]]'s sound mechanicals and (almost as) striking looks with a larger engine and a more luxurious interior. Price-wise, it was much more affordable than its rivals from [[Ferrari]], [[Lamborghini]], [[Aston Martin]] and [[Iso]]. [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] production continued at a greatly reduced scale, incorporating a [[Marcello Gandini]] facelift and engine tweaking in 1990, until it was finally phased out in 1993 to make way for the radical, [[carbon fibre|carbin fiber]]-bodied [[De Tomaso Guarà|Guarà]]. Today, the Guarà is the sole product made by De Tomaso and it's available in Italy, Austria and Switzerland only. | ||
== De Tomaso luxury cars == | == De Tomaso luxury cars == | ||
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Although car enthusiasts know De Tomaso principally as a maker of high-performance sports cars, the firm also produced luxury coupés and saloons – albeit in tiny numbers – throughout the 1970s and '80s. | Although car enthusiasts know De Tomaso principally as a maker of high-performance sports cars, the firm also produced luxury coupés and saloons – albeit in tiny numbers – throughout the 1970s and '80s. | ||
| − | The | + | The 1971 [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]] was De Tomaso's attempt at a rival to contemporary [[Jaguar]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]] saloons. With the same engine as the [[De Tomaso Pantera|Pantera]] but mounted in the front, the [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]] was clothed in an angular but elegant Tjaarda/[[Ghia]] four-door body which had more than a hint of the [[Jaguar XJ6]] about it, and came with the leather-and-air-con trim level that might be expected in such a car. The [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]] did not have a hope of competing with its rivals, especially those from [[Germany]], on the quality of its build, but it blew them out of the water on rarity-appeal – despite remaining on De Tomaso's books until 1988, only about 300 were ever made. The ultimate rare [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]] is the single example of an estate, built for [[Alejandro de Tomaso]]'s wife. |
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| + | 1972 saw the introduction of a coupé based on the [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]], the [[De Tomaso Longchamp|Longchamp]]. Mechanically this was essentially the same car – the [[De Tomaso Longchamp|Longchamp]] used a slightly shortened [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]] chassis and had the same [[Ford]] V8 engine. The squarer, flatter body, however, was substantially different, without the [[De Tomaso Deauville|Deauville]]'s flowing lines. | ||
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| + | In 1976, [[Alejandro de Tomaso]], with the assistance of the Italian government, took over [[Maserati]] when its owner, [[Citroën]], refused any longer to prop the loss-making company up. The first 'new' [[Maserati]] that the De Tomaso regime introduced, the [[Maserati Kyalami|Kyalami]], was in fact a mildly reskinned [[De Tomaso Longchamp|Longchamp]] with the [[Ford]] engine replaced by [[Maserati]]'s own 4.2-litre V8. The two cars, outwardly identical except for their badges, grilles and headlights, remained in production until 1983, when the [[Maserati Kyalami|Kyalami]] was superseded by the genuinely new [[Maserati]] [[Maserati Biturbo|Biturbo]], introduced two years earlier. The [[De Tomaso Longchamp|Longchamp]] trickled on until 1989. Just 395 [[De Tomaso Longchamp|Longchamp]] coupés and 14 convertibles were built. Total [[Maserati Kyalami|Kyalami]] production was even lower, at just 198. | ||
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| − | + | '''1974 De Tomaso Pantera''' | |
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| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 1.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 3.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 4.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 5.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 6.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 7.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 8.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 9.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 11.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 12.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 13.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 14.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 15.jpg | ||
| + | image:1974 De Tomaso Pantera 16.jpg | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
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* [http://www.detomaso.it The De Tomaso official site] | * [http://www.detomaso.it The De Tomaso official site] | ||
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| + | {{Formula One constructors}} | ||
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| + | {{Car Information and Photos by Marque}} | ||
| + | {{Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque}} | ||
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[[Category:Supercars]] | [[Category:Supercars]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Sports cars]] |
Revision as of 14:27, 8 October 2007
De Tomaso is an Italian car-manufacturing company. It was founded by the Argentinian-born Alejandro de Tomaso (1928–2003) in Modena in 1959.
Originally, De Tomaso produced various prototypes and racing cars, including a Formula 1 car for Frank Williams's team in 1970.
De Tomaso sports cars
De Tomaso's first road-going production model was the Vallelunga, introduced in 1963. This striking mid-engined sports car was propelled with a 104 hp (78 kW) Ford Cortina engine, and had a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). It featured an aluminium backbone chassis, which was to become De Tomaso's technological trademark, and fibreglass bodywork.
The first De Tomaso produced in anything like significant numbers, the Mangusta, introduced in 1966, was also the first to be developed in association with Ford, a firm which was to have a decisive influence on De Tomaso's early life. With the Mangusta De Tomaso moved from European to American Ford engines; powered by a 4.7 L iron-block V8 engine and with steel and aluminium coupé bodywork from Ghia – an Italian coachbuilder also controlled by Alejandro de Tomaso – the Mangusta could more than compete with contemporary Ferraris and Lamborghinis on looks, if not on cachet. With its flowing panels and almost absurdly raked rear window, the Mangusta was a true Italian supercar. About 400 examples were built until production ended in 1971.
The Mangusta was succeeded by the Pantera, the car that was to put De Tomaso on the map – if only briefly. It appeared in 1970 with a 5.8 L Ford V8 and a low, wedge-shaped body designed by Ghia's Tom Tjaarda. Though less visually arresting than the Mangusta, the Pantera looked set to vault De Tomaso into the ranks of the supercar giants. Through an agreement with Ford, De Tomaso sold Panteras in the USA through Ford's Lincoln and Mercury dealers. Between 1970 and 1973, 6,128 Panteras were produced in Modena, dwarfing the intensity of any De Tomaso production runs before or since. Sadly for the firm (and for American supercar fans), the poor quality of Italian steel of the time, combined with the oil crises of the early 1970s, caused Ford to pull out of the Pantera deal at the end of 1973. (Other supercars of the same era, such as the Frua-bodied AC 427 and 428, were to cease production completely for the same reasons.)
After its brief flowering as a mass-production car, the Pantera settled down during the 1970s and into the 1980s as an ordinary, small-production but 'invisible' Italian supercar. This was a shame, as it combined the Mangusta's sound mechanicals and (almost as) striking looks with a larger engine and a more luxurious interior. Price-wise, it was much more affordable than its rivals from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Iso. Pantera production continued at a greatly reduced scale, incorporating a Marcello Gandini facelift and engine tweaking in 1990, until it was finally phased out in 1993 to make way for the radical, carbin fiber-bodied Guarà. Today, the Guarà is the sole product made by De Tomaso and it's available in Italy, Austria and Switzerland only.
De Tomaso luxury cars
Although car enthusiasts know De Tomaso principally as a maker of high-performance sports cars, the firm also produced luxury coupés and saloons – albeit in tiny numbers – throughout the 1970s and '80s.
The 1971 Deauville was De Tomaso's attempt at a rival to contemporary Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz saloons. With the same engine as the Pantera but mounted in the front, the Deauville was clothed in an angular but elegant Tjaarda/Ghia four-door body which had more than a hint of the Jaguar XJ6 about it, and came with the leather-and-air-con trim level that might be expected in such a car. The Deauville did not have a hope of competing with its rivals, especially those from Germany, on the quality of its build, but it blew them out of the water on rarity-appeal – despite remaining on De Tomaso's books until 1988, only about 300 were ever made. The ultimate rare Deauville is the single example of an estate, built for Alejandro de Tomaso's wife.
1972 saw the introduction of a coupé based on the Deauville, the Longchamp. Mechanically this was essentially the same car – the Longchamp used a slightly shortened Deauville chassis and had the same Ford V8 engine. The squarer, flatter body, however, was substantially different, without the Deauville's flowing lines.
In 1976, Alejandro de Tomaso, with the assistance of the Italian government, took over Maserati when its owner, Citroën, refused any longer to prop the loss-making company up. The first 'new' Maserati that the De Tomaso regime introduced, the Kyalami, was in fact a mildly reskinned Longchamp with the Ford engine replaced by Maserati's own 4.2-litre V8. The two cars, outwardly identical except for their badges, grilles and headlights, remained in production until 1983, when the Kyalami was superseded by the genuinely new Maserati Biturbo, introduced two years earlier. The Longchamp trickled on until 1989. Just 395 Longchamp coupés and 14 convertibles were built. Total Kyalami production was even lower, at just 198.
1974 De Tomaso Pantera
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 1.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 3.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 4.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 5.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 6.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 7.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 8.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 9.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 11.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 12.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 13.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 14.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 15.jpg
- 1974 De Tomaso Pantera 16.jpg