-De Tomaso. For those who seek perfection and fun combined. -
American muscle combined with Italian flair. Sounds fabulous. Until De Tomaso came up with what to us is one of the most felicitous concoctions ever made. The square headlights from a Ford Granada, rear lights from an Alfa Romeo and the beating heart borrowed from the Ford Cleveland. The end result? A 5.8 litre engine, linked to an automatic 3-speed gearbox. Something with big bangs, good insertion and fast home. No high-pitched whine like we are used to from the average Italian, but a dark brown, brutal roar. Saves a lot of head gaskets, we can tell you!
The Longchamp was manufactured in Modena for no less than 17 years. No, Mr. rational collector, don't give up immediately, the production numbers were different than you might expect. Only 409 were made, of which 395 were coupé and 14 cabriolet. As soon as you get in, you understand why. Rows of -handmade- Veglia clocks and gauges surrounded by real thick chrome. Rocker switches covered in leather and the smell of an average pampered cow leather workshop. And of course not everything was straight and seamless; after all, it was Modena, not Munich. Ours? On Dutch soil since 1989, originally delivered in the country of the pioneers and cheap petrol; the USA. Almost fully documented, golden yellow with a dark brown full leather interior, perfectly maintained and ready for many more smiles a litre. Now looking for a new rational driver with an Italian heart. A presto!
