Brand history De Tomaso
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De Tomaso is an Italian car manufacturer that was founded by Alejandro de Tomaso in 1959. The company's initial focus was on racing cars and components. De Tomaso collaborated with several notable engineers and designers, including Carroll Shelby and Ghia, to develop their early models. De Tomaso introduced its first road-legal car, the Vallelunga, in 1963. It featured a mid-engine layout and utilized a steel backbone chassis. The Vallelunga was powered by a variety of engines, including Ford and Fiat units. In 1967, De Tomaso unveiled the Mangusta, which became one of the company's most famous models. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Mangusta featured a sleek and aggressive design with gull-wing doors. It was powered by a Ford V8 engine and offered impressive performance for its time. The Pantera, introduced in 1971, is perhaps De Tomaso's most well-known and successful model. It was a collaboration between De Tomaso and Ford, utilizing a mid-engine layout and a powerful Ford V8 engine. The Pantera gained popularity globally and was sold through Ford's Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the United States. De Tomaso faced financial difficulties throughout its history, leading to changes in ownership. Ford's involvement with De Tomaso ended in the late 1970s, and Alejandro de Tomaso himself acquired the company. In the following decades, ownership changed hands multiple times, leading to inconsistent production and financial stability. In the early 2000s, De Tomaso introduced the Deauville concept at the Geneva Motor Show, signaling a potential revival of the brand. However, the company faced numerous setbacks, and production of new vehicles was limited.
1963
The De Tomaso Vallelunga, introduced in 1963, was the company's first road-legal production car. Designed by Tom Tjaarda, it featured a mid-engine layout and a lightweight steel backbone chassis. The Vallelunga's body was constructed of fiberglass, further reducing weight. It was powered by various engines, including units sourced from Ford and Fiat. The Vallelunga's nimble handling and attractive design set the stage for De Tomaso's future success.
1967
The De Tomaso Mangusta, unveiled in 1967, is one of the brand's most iconic models. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it featured a mid-engine layout and a striking and aggressive appearance. The Mangusta boasted gull-wing doors, a sleek body design, and a rear clamshell engine cover. It was powered by a Ford V8 engine, offering impressive performance. With a limited production run, the Mangusta became a symbol of exclusivity and style.
1970
De Tomaso introduced the Deauville, expanding its lineup to include a luxury sedan. The Deauville was designed as a four-door, four-seater vehicle, offering a more practical and refined driving experience compared to De Tomaso's sports cars. It featured a spacious and luxurious interior, advanced features for its time, and a powerful V8 engine. The Deauville aimed to compete with other high-end luxury sedans on the market.
1971
The De Tomaso Pantera, introduced in 1971, is perhaps the brand's most well-known model. It marked a significant collaboration between De Tomaso and Ford. The Pantera featured a mid-engine layout and a powerful Ford V8 engine, initially a 5.8-liter unit. The sleek and aggressive design of the Pantera, penned by Tom Tjaarda, turned heads wherever it went. It achieved considerable success, particularly in the United States, where it was sold through Ford's Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.
1972
The De Tomaso Longchamp, introduced in 1972, was a grand tourer that combined luxury and performance. It featured a sleek and elegant design with a long hood and a fastback roofline. The Longchamp was available in both coupe and convertible variants. It shared its platform with the Deauville and utilized powerful V8 engines sourced from Ford. The Longchamp offered a comfortable and luxurious driving experience with impressive performance.
1979
The De Tomaso Guara, unveiled in 1979, was a sports car designed to succeed the Pantera. It featured a striking and aerodynamic design, with a low-slung body and pop-up headlights. The Guara was powered by a mid-mounted V8 engine, delivering exhilarating performance. However, due to financial difficulties, production was limited, and only a small number of Guaras were built during this period.
1980
Building upon the success of the Pantera, De Tomaso introduced the Pantera GT5 in 1980. It featured an updated design with wider fenders, aggressive aerodynamic enhancements, and improved cooling. The GT5 also had revised suspension and braking systems, offering enhanced performance and handling. It retained the mid-engine layout and the powerful Ford V8 engine, providing exhilarating driving dynamics.
1985
The De Tomaso Deauville II, introduced in 1985, was an updated version of the luxury sedan that the brand had previously released. The Deauville II featured a more modern design with improved aerodynamics and refined interior appointments. It maintained its four-door, four-seater layout and continued to offer a spacious and luxurious driving experience. The Deauville II was powered by a V8 engine, providing ample power for comfortable cruising.
1988
De Tomaso acquired a majority stake in Maserati and produced several models based on the Maserati Biturbo platform. While these models carried the Maserati name, they were developed and manufactured under the ownership of De Tomaso. Notable examples include the Maserati Biturbo-based models such as the Maserati Karif, a compact sports car, and the Maserati Shamal, a high-performance luxury coupe.
1989
The Pantera Si, introduced in 1989, was the final iteration of the iconic Pantera model. Designed by Marcello Gandini, the Pantera Si featured a more modern and rounded design compared to its predecessors. It incorporated composite body panels and advanced technologies, including active aerodynamics. The Pantera Si was powered by a 5.0-liter Ford V8 engine, delivering impressive performance. However, financial difficulties limited production, and only a handful of Pantera Si models were built.
1993
The De Tomaso Guarà, introduced in 1993, was a successor to the earlier Guara model. It was a mid-engine sports car designed by Carlo Gaino of the Synthesis Design Center. The Guarà featured a lightweight aluminum chassis and a composite body. It was available in both coupe and convertible versions. Power came from a range of engines, including V8 units sourced from Ford and BMW. Production of the Guarà was limited, making it a rare and sought-after De Tomaso model.
1996
The De Tomaso Biguà, also known as the Deauville Spyder, was a convertible sports car introduced in 1996. It was based on the Guarà platform but featured significant design modifications. The Biguà had a sleek and aerodynamic body with a retractable soft-top roof. It offered seating for two occupants and provided an exhilarating open-top driving experience. However, like the Guarà, production of the Biguà was limited.
2001
The De Tomaso Biguà, introduced in 2001, was a concept car showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. It aimed to revive the nameplate from the previous decade. The Biguà concept was a two-seat convertible sports car with modern design elements. It featured a powerful engine and aimed to capture the spirit of the original Biguà. However, financial difficulties prevented the concept from progressing to full-scale production.
2007
De Tomaso showcased a concept car called the De Tomaso Pantera at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept aimed to revive the iconic Pantera nameplate from the brand's past. It featured a modern design with aggressive lines and a mid-engine layout, paying homage to the original Pantera's styling cues. However, financial constraints prevented the concept from progressing to full-scale production.
2009
The De Tomaso SLC Concept, unveiled in 2009, was a concept car presented at the Geneva Motor Show. It was designed to be a luxurious grand tourer, combining performance and comfort. The SLC Concept showcased a sleek and elegant design, with a long hood, flowing lines, and a spacious interior. However, like the previous attempts, financial difficulties hindered the progression of this concept into a production model.
2011
De Tomaso unveiled a luxury SUV called the Deauville at the Geneva Motor Show. The Deauville aimed to capture the essence of the original De Tomaso Deauville sedan but in an SUV form. It featured a sleek and muscular design with a spacious interior, luxurious appointments, and advanced technologies. However, due to financial difficulties, the production and commercial success of the Deauville were limited. The De Tomaso SLC Concept, showcased in 2011, was an attempt to revive the brand with a luxurious grand tourer. It featured a sleek and aerodynamic design, with an emphasis on performance and comfort. The SLC Concept aimed to offer a blend of luxury, power, and elegance. However, like the previous attempts, financial constraints prevented the concept from progressing to full-scale production.
2012
De Tomaso also presented a concept car called the De Tomaso Pantera at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept aimed to revive the iconic Pantera nameplate, paying homage to the original model. It featured modern styling with a mid-engine layout, bold lines, and powerful performance. However, financial constraints prevented the Pantera concept from moving forward into production.
2019
The De Tomaso P72 is a modern supercar that was unveiled in 2019 as a tribute to the original De Tomaso P70 racing car from the 1960s. The P72 is a limited-production model that showcases De Tomaso's commitment to craftsmanship, performance, and design. The P72 boasts a retro-inspired design that pays homage to the classic racing cars of the past. It features a sleek and aerodynamic body with flowing lines and muscular curves. The car's proportions and styling elements evoke a sense of timeless elegance and performance. The P72 is equipped with a powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine, although specific details about the engine have not been publicly disclosed. It is expected to offer impressive performance figures, including high horsepower and torque outputs. The De Tomaso P72 is a highly exclusive model, with limited production numbers. Only 72 examples are planned to be produced, making it a rare and sought-after collector's car. Interior combines modern luxury with classic design elements. It features high-quality materials, including fine leather upholstery, polished metal accents, and carbon fiber trim. The cockpit is designed to offer a driver-focused experience, with intuitive controls and supportive seating.