De Tomaso Vallelunga (1964)

Designed by Ghia, the De Tomaso Vallelunga features one of fords most widely used engines in motorsport, the 1600cc Kent engine. The Inline 4 Cylinder, which was enlarged to 1600cc develops a credible 135HP, thanks to the Cosworth enhanced cylinder heads as well as dual Weber 40DCOE2 carburetors. The Hewland 4-speed Transmission is mounted in a VW housing, rotated around for mid-engine placement.

Other alterations included flared wheel arches giving the car its wide bodied look, as well as wider wheels to sufficiently fill them, plexiglass side and rear windows and a race style fuel filler resulting in a total weight of approximately 570Kg thus creating a superb power to weight ratio even in today's standards. The front suspension featured innovative for the time unequal length double wish bone style, with coil springs, tube shocks and anti-roll bar. The rear employing independent suspension, single upper arm, reversed lower A-arm, coil springs, tube shocks and rear anti-roll bar.

This Vallelunga went directly to Spain in 1965, when purchased by a wealthy Spanish playboy to compete in the Barcelona hill climbs. It achieved a number of successes before being sent back to the De Tomaso factory for further race modifications and chassis strengthening. First registered in October 1966 it was one of two Vallelungas displayed at the 1966 Barcelona Motorshow. A total of just 58 cars were produced, including 3 alloy bodied pre-production cars, 50 fiberglass bodied cars, and 5 wide body competition variants, of which this car is believed to be the only one known to have such modifications to the body and chassis.

The car was later sold to its second Spanish owner in 1973 and was put into storage until the decision was made to sell the car, when it was exported to America in 1988. The car was restored and achieved 3rd in class at the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car was purchased by its most recent keeper in mid-2006 and later exported to the UK. Under DK's care, the most recent proprietor has used the car sparingly, keeping the car stored in their state of the art, air conditioned facility amongst their comprehensive collection. DK Engineering have maintained the car periodically to date, and the car has recently benefitted from a full major service as well as new sump gaskets, and the re re-tuning of the carburettors.

Today the car is presented in the stunning combination of Red over a Black Hide. In superb condition throughout, this Vallelunga is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner immediately and is an opportunity to own what is a truly rare and innovative Italian sports car of the 1960s. Viewings are available at our showroom, which is based just outside London.