De Tomaso, a name synonymous with automotive excellence, traces its origins to the vision of Alejandro de Tomaso. Established in 1959 in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, the marque quickly garnered attention for its innovative approach to design and performance. With a passion for engineering and a relentless pursuit of perfection, De Tomaso emerged as a trailblazer in the world of high-performance automobiles, captivating enthusiasts with its distinctive creations.
Founder Alejandro De Tomaso
Alejandro de Tomaso was an Argentine-Italian entrepreneur and automotive enthusiast who founded the renowned De Tomaso Automobili car manufacturing company. Born on July 10, 1928, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he displayed a keen interest in engineering and racing from a young age. His passion for automobiles led him to pursue studies in mechanical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy.
De Tomaso’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1959 when he established De Tomaso Automobili in Modena, Italy. He chose Modena due to its proximity to other prominent Italian automotive manufacturers, creating a conducive environment for collaboration and innovation. Under his leadership, De Tomaso Automobili quickly gained recognition for its distinctive designs and high-performance vehicles.
One of De Tomaso’s most notable achievements was the creation of the Pantera, a mid-engine sports car that combined Italian styling with American muscle. Launched in 1971, the Pantera became an iconic model for the brand, showcasing De Tomaso’s ability to blend elegance with potent performance.
Throughout his career, De Tomaso demonstrated a knack for forging strategic partnerships and acquisitions to bolster his company’s portfolio. In the 1980s, he acquired prestigious Italian marques such as Maserati and Innocenti, expanding De Tomaso’s influence in the automotive industry.
Despite facing financial challenges and setbacks over the years, De Tomaso remained committed to his vision of creating exceptional automobiles. His passion for engineering and innovation drove the company forward, leaving a lasting legacy in the automotive design and performance world.
Alejandro de Tomaso passed away on May 21, 2003, leaving behind a rich legacy of automotive innovation and entrepreneurship. Today, he is remembered as a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the history of Italian sports car manufacturing.
Early Endeavours and Racing Success
De Tomaso’s early forays into automobile production were marked by a series of ambitious projects. The company’s first production car, the Vallelunga, debuted in 1963. With its mid-engine layout and innovative chassis design, the Vallelunga showcased De Tomaso’s engineering prowess and set the stage for the brand’s future endeavours.
However, it was in motorsports that De Tomaso truly made a name for itself. The company’s collaboration with Carroll Shelby resulted in the iconic Shelby-De Tomaso P70, a formidable racing machine that competed in endurance events with notable success.
The Pantera: A Legend is Born
Among the illustrious lineup of vehicles crafted by De Tomaso, none perhaps captivates the imagination and commands attention quite like the Pantera. Launched in 1971, the Pantera epitomises the marriage of Italian style and American muscle, cementing its status as an enduring automotive icon.
The Pantera’s design, penned by American designer Tom Tjaarda, is a testament to its timeless appeal. With its sleek, aerodynamic silhouette and aggressive stance, the Pantera exudes a sense of power and sophistication. Its mid-engine layout, a departure from traditional Italian sports cars of the era, provided optimal weight distribution and enhanced handling dynamics.
Beneath its striking exterior lies a formidable powertrain sourced from Ford. The heart of the Pantera is a potent V8 engine, initially a 5.8-litre unit delivering exhilarating performance. This engine was coupled with a robust ZF transaxle, providing seamless power delivery to the rear wheels. The result is a driving experience that is as thrilling as it is refined, capable of propelling the Pantera to impressive speeds easily.
Performance on the Road and Track
From the moment it roared onto the scene, the Pantera garnered acclaim for its blistering performance both on the road and on the racetrack. With a top speed exceeding 150 mph and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under six seconds, the Pantera was a force to be reckoned with in the realm of high-performance sports cars.
On the track, the Pantera showcased its racing pedigree in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship. Modified for competition, the Pantera demonstrated remarkable agility and endurance, further solidifying its reputation as a formidable contender in motorsport.
Global Impact and Enduring Legacy
The Pantera’s allure transcended borders, captivating enthusiasts worldwide with its combination of style, performance, and affordability. Its success in the United States, in particular, helped elevate De Tomaso to prominence in the competitive American automotive market.
Throughout its production run, which spanned over two decades, the Pantera underwent various iterations and improvements, reflecting De Tomaso’s commitment to continuous refinement and innovation. Each model year brought enhancements in performance, comfort, and reliability, ensuring that the Pantera remained at the forefront of automotive excellence.
Luxury Cars
While De Tomaso was primarily known for its high-performance sports cars, the company also ventured into the luxury car segment, albeit on a smaller scale. Some notable luxury models produced by De Tomaso include the Deauville and the Guara.
The Deauville
Introduced in 1970, The De Tomaso Deauville was a four-door luxury sedan aimed at discerning clientele seeking a blend of comfort, performance, and exclusivity. Named after the picturesque French resort town of Deauville, this elegant grand tourer featured a spacious interior crafted with luxurious materials and appointments.
Under the hood, the Deauville was powered by a potent V8 engine, delivering ample power and refined performance, befitting its luxury status. Coupled with a smooth automatic transmission, the Deauville offered a serene driving experience ideal for long-distance journeys.
In terms of design, the Deauville exuded understated elegance, with clean lines and classic styling cues that complemented its upscale image. While not as widely recognised as some of De Tomaso’s sports car offerings, the Deauville nonetheless represented a significant departure for the brand into the realm of luxury automobiles.
The Guara
Introduced in 1993, the De Tomaso Guara represented a departure from the marque’s traditional focus on high-performance sports cars. While maintaining the brand’s commitment to exhilarating driving dynamics, the Guara sought to combine elements of luxury and comfort with its potent performance capabilities, resulting in a unique and captivating offering.
Designed by Carlo Gaino of the Italian design firm Synthesis Design, the Guara’s styling was a departure from the angular, aggressive lines of its predecessors. Instead, it featured a more fluid and contemporary design language, characterised by smooth curves, aerodynamic contours, and sleek proportions.
The Guara’s low-slung profile and wide stance gave it a commanding presence on the road, while subtle design details such as the distinctive front grille and sculpted side panels added to its visual appeal. The use of lightweight materials, including aluminium and composite materials, helped to optimise performance without compromising structural rigidity or safety.
Beneath its sculpted exterior, the De Tomaso Guara boasted impressive performance credentials befitting its sports car lineage. Power was provided by a range of potent engines, including V8 and V6 units sourced from reputable manufacturers such as Ford and BMW. These engines, coupled with advanced chassis dynamics and suspension tuning, delivered exhilarating acceleration, precise handling, and confidence-inspiring agility.
Thanks to its lightweight construction and advanced engineering, the Guara offered a dynamic driving experience characterised by responsive steering, sharp cornering capabilities, and a balanced chassis. Whether tackling twisting mountain roads or cruising along the open highway, the Guara exhibited a versatility and poise that appealed to driving enthusiasts seeking both performance and comfort.
Acquisition of Maserati
In 1975, Alejandro de Tomaso purchased a controlling stake in Maserati, which was struggling financially at the time. This acquisition marked a significant expansion of De Tomaso’s automotive empire and signalled his ambition to revive the storied Italian marque.
Under De Tomaso’s ownership, Maserati underwent a period of revitalisation and restructuring. One of the key initiatives was the development of new models to reestablish Maserati’s presence in the luxury sports car market. This led to the introduction of iconic models such as the Maserati Biturbo, which helped rejuvenate the brand and restore its reputation for performance and craftsmanship.
Additionally, De Tomaso’s stewardship of Maserati saw investments in modernising production facilities, improving quality control processes, and enhancing research and development capabilities. These efforts laid the foundation for Maserati’s resurgence as a respected manufacturer of high-performance luxury vehicles.
While De Tomaso’s ownership of Maserati lasted for over a decade, the company eventually sold its stake in Maserati to Fiat Group (now Stellantis) in 1993. This transaction marked the end of De Tomaso’s direct involvement with Maserati, but it left a lasting legacy, as the groundwork laid during De Tomaso’s ownership played a crucial role in Maserati’s subsequent success and evolution as a premier luxury automotive brand.
Revival Stage
De Tomaso is currently in the revival stage and hasn’t officially started series production of any new models yet. However, they have announced their first offering to be the P72 supercar, which is a modern interpretation of a classic De Tomaso design. This hints at their potential focus on reviving their sporty heritage.
Unveiled in 2019, the P72 pays homage to the legendary De Tomaso P70 sports car of the 1960s. It serves as a nostalgic tribute to the design language of that era while incorporating modern elements to appeal to contemporary driving enthusiasts.
Exterior Design
The P72 showcases a timeless and sophisticated design characterised by smooth curves reminiscent of classic sports cars. Its long hood, low-slung profile, and muscular stance emphasise its performance capabilities. Look for subtle nods to the P70, such as signature headlights and taillights, adding to its nostalgic charm.
Performance and Engineering
While full specifications are yet to be revealed, De Tomaso has disclosed some exciting details. Expect a robust 5.0-litre supercharged Ford Coyote V8 engine, likely developed in collaboration with Roush Performance for enhanced performance. The P72 is designed to deliver a pure driving experience, possibly featuring lightweight construction and a thrilling 6-speed manual transmission.
Production and Availability
Details regarding production volume and launch date are currently limited due to the revival stage of the brand. Initial reports hinted at possible production at the renowned Nürburgring in Germany, but confirmed information is pending. As a supercar with potential exclusivity, anticipate the P72 to be a limited-production vehicle commanding a high price tag.
What’s Next?
Prepare for a seismic shift in the automotive landscape with the impending arrival of the De Tomaso P900, a hypercar that redefines performance and exclusivity. While still shrouded in anticipation, here’s what you need to know about this track-focused marvel:
Unlike its road-legal counterpart, the P72, the P900 emerges as a ferocious beast tailored exclusively for the racetrack. With its uncompromising focus on performance, this hypercar transcends the realm of everyday driving to deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience reserved for the most discerning enthusiasts.
De Tomaso has set the bar high by committing to a production run of just 18 units for the P900, cementing its status as an ultra-exclusive collector’s item coveted by the elite few who can afford its astronomical price tag.
Power Unleashed
Under the sleek carbon fiber skin of the P900 lies a powerhouse engine; a groundbreaking, ultra-lightweight V12 powerplant engineered to achieve carbon neutrality through the utilisation of synthetic fuels. While availability might be delayed until later in 2024, its promise of unparalleled performance sets a new benchmark in hypercar technology.
Featherweight Champion
The pursuit of automotive perfection takes form in the P900’s commitment to an astonishingly low weight target of a mere 900 kilograms. Achieved through the extensive implementation of carbon fibre throughout its construction, the P900 sets the stage for blistering acceleration and unmatched agility.
Aerodynamic Brilliance
Harnessing the expertise of Formula 1 aerodynamicists, the P900 boasts a design honed to slice through the air with precision and purpose. Sculpted in the crucible of an F1 wind tunnel, expect advanced aerodynamic features such as an active rear wing utilising DRS technology to optimise downforce and stability at high speeds.
Price and Exclusivity
With a price tag likely to soar beyond the $3 million mark, the P900 beckons to those with a penchant for the extraordinary. Priority in securing this automotive masterpiece is granted to existing De Tomaso P72 customers, adding an extra layer of exclusivity to an already rarefied offering.
Ongoing Evolution
While the curtain has been lifted on the P900, some details, including precise performance figures, remain shrouded in secrecy. However, De Tomaso remains committed to excellence, offering prospective owners a comprehensive driver training program and dedicated support for track events, ensuring that the P900’s potential is fully realised on the asphalt.
De Tomaso’s legacy is a testament to boundless innovation and automotive passion. From the iconic Pantera to the modern P72 and beyond, each vehicle represents a fusion of style, performance, and adventure. As the brand’s legend lives on, it continues to inspire generations of enthusiasts worldwide, reminding us all of the enduring power of automotive excellence. Here’s to De Tomaso, forever igniting our love for the open road and the thrill of the drive.
