De Tomaso Vallelunga, 1964
Chassis No.: VLD €275 000 | Sold English registration title Chassis n°VLD 1611 First model of the legendary Italian brand Rare original DOHC engine History known from the beginning Pleasant and efficient car, technology derived from racing Unique on the market The inimitable Argentinean driver and businessman Alejandro de Tomaso founded his own brand in Italy in 1959, after a short career as a driver in South America and Italy, notably at the wheel of Maserati and Osca. After a few cars exclusively for racing, he decided to start building road cars, in partnership with Ford. The Detroit giant, which was unable to buy Ferrari, wanted to take revenge and tried to compete with il Commendatore on its own ground. The first road car appeared in 1964. Named Vallelunga, it was first open car, followed the next year by a coupe bodied by Fissore. While the first three prototypes were made of aluminum with a tilting rear end, the following production models were made of fiberglass with a traditional rear window. Built with the know-how acquired in competition, the newcomer is distinguished by a bold and avant-garde design. After the sublime ATS, developed by Carlo Chiti and Romolo Tavoni, both from Ferrari, with the financial support of Count Volpi, this is the second production car with a central engine. It benefits from a highly elaborate chassis, coupled with a light and rigid suspension system directly derived from that of the brand’s Formula 3. Under the rear hood is a Ford engine, in this case a Kent 1500 derived from the series. Despite its sporty qualities and its unequalled beauty, the Vallelunga, produced in about fifty copies, will not be a great commercial success. However, its price of 3.5 million lire is very close to that of a Lancia Flaminia Supersport Zagato, and half that of a Ferrari 250 GT berlinetta. The famous British colonel Ronnie Hoare, who was the Ferrari importer in England, wished for a more powerful engine| his wish was granted by the brand with the optional Ford-Lotus DOHC 1600. With 135 hp and a 5-speed gearbox, the performance, handling and style of this car were rare at the time. It is estimated that only twenty Vallelungas have survived. The confidential production of the model means that no two examples are alike. The car illustrated in these pages is particularly interesting, as it was built on chassis number VLD 1611, the suffix D – for destra – indicating a rare right-hand drive version. It is also the “Competition” version, originally equipped with the Ford-Lotus twin cam engine. It was discovered in England, in a test of the Autosport magazine published in November 1965, then in the hands of the driver Rob Lamplough. It was then exported to Australia where it remained until 2014, when it returned to Europe. It is at this time that it will ben - efit from cosmetic and mechanical care (invoices of €7,000 attached to the file), allowing an optimal use of this authentic thoroughbred. We offer you here a rare opportunity to buy an Italian myth, much rarer than a Ferrari or a Maserati. Definitely the choice of a connoisseur... https://www.aguttes.com/lot/123086/722d9749-e0e4-4b6a-8a48-9fcdba43bf44
