De Tomaso

Research, History, Reviews, Media & More

Introduction / Featured Stories / Model Guides / News & Updates

De Tomaso: The Iconic Blend of Italian Design and American Muscle

De Tomaso is a legendary car manufacturer that brought together Italian design finesse with American V8 power, creating some of the most memorable sports cars of the 20th century. Founded by an Argentinian racing driver, De Tomaso left a lasting mark on the automotive world with its bold, high-performance vehicles. This post explores the founding of De Tomaso, the history behind the brand, its most iconic models, and the milestones that defined its journey.

The Founding: Alejandro de Tomaso’s Vision

De Tomaso was founded in 1959 by Alejandro de Tomaso, an Argentinian racing driver of Italian descent who moved to Italy to pursue his passion for motorsport. Born in Buenos Aires in 1928, Alejandro initially raced for Maserati and Ferrari before deciding to establish his own car company in Modena, Italy. His goal was to create high-performance sports cars that combined the best of Italian engineering with the reliability and power of American engines.

De Tomaso initially focused on developing race cars, but Alejandro soon shifted his attention to creating road cars that would appeal to sports car enthusiasts. The combination of American V8 engines and Italian styling became the hallmark of De Tomaso, and the brand quickly gained a reputation for producing exotic, fast, and aggressive cars.

The Evolution of De Tomaso: From Race Cars to Iconic Road Cars

De Tomaso’s journey from race car manufacturer to producer of some of the most recognizable sports cars is marked by several key developments and iconic models:

1. Early Years and Racing Heritage (1960s):

   • In its early years, De Tomaso focused on building race cars for Formula One and endurance racing. The company’s first car was the De Tomaso Vallelunga, a lightweight sports car with a mid-engine layout, introduced in 1963. The Vallelunga was powered by a Ford four-cylinder engine and featured a fiberglass body, showcasing De Tomaso’s engineering capabilities. Although it had limited success, the Vallelunga set the foundation for De Tomaso’s future road cars.

   • De Tomaso also experimented with other racing machines, such as the De Tomaso 505 Formula One car, but the brand’s success on the racetrack was limited. However, these racing ventures gave Alejandro valuable experience in automotive engineering and chassis development.

2. The De Tomaso Mangusta: Italian Styling Meets American Power (1967-1971):

   • The De Tomaso Mangusta, introduced in 1967, was the brand’s first major success. Designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Mangusta featured a striking design with gullwing engine covers and a low-slung, aggressive stance. The car was powered by a Ford-sourced 4.7-liter V8 engine, giving it impressive performance to match its eye-catching design.

   • The Mangusta’s combination of Italian styling and American muscle made it a standout in the world of exotic cars. With a top speed of around 155 mph (250 km/h), the Mangusta quickly earned a reputation for speed and performance. However, only about 400 units were produced, making it a rare and highly sought-after car today.

3. The De Tomaso Pantera: A Global Icon (1971-1992):

   • The De Tomaso Pantera, introduced in 1971, became the most famous and successful model in the company’s history. Designed to replace the Mangusta, the Pantera was a mid-engine sports car powered by a 5.8-liter Ford Cleveland V8 engine, producing over 330 horsepower. The car’s aggressive design and impressive performance made it an instant hit.

   • What set the Pantera apart was its affordability compared to other Italian exotics, thanks to its American powertrain. Ford even distributed the Pantera through its Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the U.S., further boosting its popularity. The Pantera remained in production for over two decades, with more than 7,000 units built during its lifespan, making it De Tomaso’s longest-running and most successful model.

   • The Pantera also saw various iterations, including the Pantera GTS and the GT5, which featured wider bodywork, larger wheels, and enhanced performance. The Pantera’s legacy lives on as one of the most iconic cars of the 1970s and 1980s.

4. Diversification and Expansion (1980s-1990s):

   • During the 1980s, De Tomaso diversified its portfolio by acquiring several struggling automotive brands, including Maserati, Innocenti, and Moto Guzzi. Under Alejandro’s leadership, De Tomaso helped revitalize Maserati, introducing models like the Maserati Biturbo, which was one of the first production cars to feature a twin-turbocharged engine.

   • Despite these acquisitions, De Tomaso continued to produce its own cars, including the De Tomaso Longchamp and De Tomaso Deauville, both of which were luxury grand tourers aimed at competing with brands like Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz.

5. The Final Chapter and Rebirth (2000s-Present):

   • Alejandro de Tomaso passed away in 2003, and the company struggled in the following years. However, De Tomaso’s legacy remained strong, and in 2014, the brand was acquired by new investors who aimed to revive it. In 2019, De Tomaso unveiled the P72, a modern hypercar that pays homage to the brand’s racing heritage and iconic design language.

   • The P72 features a retro-inspired design with flowing curves and a luxurious interior, reminiscent of the golden age of motorsport. Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine, the P72 is a limited-production car aimed at re-establishing De Tomaso as a boutique manufacturer of high-performance sports cars.

Special Milestones and Achievements

Throughout its history, De Tomaso achieved several significant milestones and made lasting contributions to the automotive world:

• A Blend of Italian Style and American Power: De Tomaso’s unique combination of Italian design and American V8 engines set the brand apart from other sports car manufacturers, creating a distinctive identity that appealed to enthusiasts worldwide.

• Success with the Pantera: The Pantera became De Tomaso’s most successful and iconic model, thanks to its blend of performance, affordability, and striking design. The car’s long production run and global popularity solidified De Tomaso’s place in automotive history.

• Revitalizing Maserati: De Tomaso’s acquisition of Maserati in the 1970s helped save the brand from financial difficulties, and the introduction of the Biturbo series brought Maserati into a new era of performance and innovation.

• The Return of De Tomaso with the P72: The recent revival of De Tomaso with the P72 hypercar demonstrates the enduring appeal of the brand’s philosophy of combining style, performance, and exclusivity.

The Enduring Legacy of De Tomaso

De Tomaso’s legacy is one of innovation, passion, and a commitment to building unique, high-performance vehicles that capture the imagination of car enthusiasts. The brand’s iconic models, particularly the Pantera and Mangusta, continue to be celebrated for their design and performance, and they remain highly sought after by collectors.

Despite the challenges the company faced, De Tomaso’s impact on the automotive world is undeniable. With the revival of the brand and the introduction of the P72, De Tomaso is once again poised to make its mark on the world of high-performance sports cars, continuing Alejandro de Tomaso’s vision of blending Italian flair with American muscle.