RE: De Tomaso Longchamp | Spotted

RE: De Tomaso Longchamp | Spotted

Wednesday 9th October 2019

De Tomaso Longchamp | Spotted

Everyone knows the Mangusta and Pantera; don't forget there was a front-engined De Tomaso, too...



Even a remarkably fresh-looking example of De Tomaso's famous Pantera was judged worthy of Brave Pill status earlier this year. Dependable Ford V8 or not, the presence of the words '1970s' and 'Italian' in any automotive discussion is generally enough to set alarm bells ringing. In the case of today's Spotted, though, could their chime be alerting you to an opportunity not to be missed?

Production of the Longchamp began in 1973, the model being a two-door variant of the Quattroporte-rivalling Deauville saloon. Much like the Pantera, it made use of a 5.8-litre Cleveland V8, putting out 330hp, resulting in a 0-62 time of around six seconds and a 150mph top speed. Multiple variants had been devised by the time the model was retired in 1989, but as an early example which was later uprated, our Spotted benefits from the best of both worlds.


The Longchamp's original styling was based on the Lancia Marica prototype, but where that car featured swooping lines and delicate details, the De Tomaso took on an altogether more aggressive physique, in no small part thanks to a little mid-life touch up. Having been bought by Le Mans racer Claude Dubois, it was returned to the De Tomaso factory in 1981 following the launch of the sportier GTS. There it was uprated to this standard, with the associated flared wheelarches, wider Campagnolo wheels wrapped in Pirelli P7 tyres and improved suspension setup all being added to the car. At the same time it retained features like its original Ford Granada headlights which, to these eyes at least, are preferable to the dual lamp items fitted to later cars.

Though the word manual - of which just 17 were built - appears at the top of the ad, the photos and text confirm that, unfortunately, the only manual interaction you'll have with the transmission will be to shift the three-speed auto 'box into 'D'. Nonetheless, do so and there's enough muscle under the bonnet to match the car's beefy exterior, meaning it's sure to offer plenty of the thrills - and hopefully fewer of the spills - associated with classic Italian exotics. As a well-sorted example that's well known to the dealer selling it, there's a good chance that this Longchamp won't be a longshot when it comes to reliable curio ownership.


See the original ad here

Search for a De Tomaso here





Author
Discussion

Cotty

Original Poster:

41,325 posts

299 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
Not a huge fan of this, although I do like the Mangusta, Pantera and this Vallelunga



Edited by Cotty on Wednesday 9th October 13:48

sparkyhx

4,200 posts

219 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
Cotty said:
Not a huge fan of this, although I do like the Mangusta, Pantera and this Vallelunga



Edited by Cotty on Wednesday 9th October 13:48
Is that a fuel tank in the front? yikes

helix402

7,913 posts

197 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
Ford Granada headlights by the look of it. I remember sitting in a Pantera with the same ignition barrel as my friends XR3i.

bobtail4x4

4,011 posts

124 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
the blue one looks a bit X/19 ish

mhurley

823 posts

148 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
This is the convertible , even rarer
Only 14 ever made

irocfan

44,120 posts

205 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
Love this!

groomi

9,324 posts

258 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
sparkyhx said:
Is that a fuel tank in the front? yikes
Where do you think the tank is in a Porsche, Beetle and Imp etc?

BRR

1,879 posts

187 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
I really like that

siwhit

72 posts

196 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
Looks like a MK1 Granada

Kawasicki

13,768 posts

250 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
Love it, since I was a kid in the 80's!

EyeHeartSpellin

687 posts

98 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
As usual, see something I really like I didn't know about, think I will seriously go for that must be about 10k. See 60k. Be sad.

Turbobanana

7,229 posts

216 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
I think this has been for sale forever.

They are a real event to see in the flesh, looking far better than in any pictures. My ideal type of car design: lots of straight lines. I believe the basic architecture is the same as the Maserati Kyalami, but with a big solid boat anchor of Ford muscle rather than an Italian thoroughbred.

sinbaddio

2,600 posts

191 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
I need a car that has 'acqua' and 'benzina' on the gauges cool

Any suggestions for sub £5k?

dinkel

27,448 posts

273 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
My mate Phil had one:


And yes, first PH Sunday Service in Feb 2007 and after a cracking Dawn Raid / London Tunnel Run. Amazing day.

BVB

1,156 posts

168 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all

Lovely looking car, but has someone stuck old Ford Granada headlights in this example?

BVB

1,156 posts

168 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
ah, it waqs the GTS that had nicer lights.

Frimley111R

17,110 posts

249 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
I only knew of this car thanks to Top trumps!

bangerhoarder

661 posts

83 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
BVB said:
Lovely looking car, but has someone stuck old Ford Granada headlights in this example?
article said:
At the same time it retained features like its original Ford Granada headlights which, to these eyes at least, are preferable to the dual lamp items fitted to later cars.

Europa1

10,923 posts

203 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
sinbaddio said:
I need a car that has 'acqua' and 'benzina' on the gauges cool

Any suggestions for sub £5k?
That dashboard is rather fabulous.

soxboy

7,046 posts

234 months

Wednesday 9th October 2019
quotequote all
bangerhoarder said:
BVB said:
Lovely looking car, but has someone stuck old Ford Granada headlights in this example?
article said:
At the same time it retained features like its original Ford Granada headlights which, to these eyes at least, are preferable to the dual lamp items fitted to later cars.
The quad headlights are from early Audi Quattro/ coupe