De Tomaso Vallelunga

The De Tomaso Vallelunga is a classic sports car that was manufactured by the Italian carmaker De Tomaso from 1963 to 1967. It was the company's first production car and was designed by Italian designer, Franco Maina. The Vallelunga was named after the racing circuit in Vallelunga, Italy, where it was first unveiled in 1963.

The car was built on a tubular chassis and featured a mid-engine layout, with a 91 cu in (1,498 cc) Ford Cortina engine mounted behind the driver. The engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, capable of producing 104 hp.

The Vallelunga's body was made of fiberglass, which was a relatively new material at the time. This lightweight material, combined with the car's compact size, made it a nimble and agile sports car that was great for both racing and street driving.

Despite its innovative design and impressive performance, the Vallelunga was not a commercial success. Only 53 cars were built during its four-year production run due to a number of factors, including high costs and limited marketing.

Photo: "De Tomaso Vallelunga c.1965" by andreboeni

Today, the De Tomaso Vallelunga is a rare and highly sought-after classic car, prized for its unique design, racing pedigree, and historical significance as the first production car from the legendary Italian carmaker.

Appearances in Pop-Culture

The De Tomaso Vallelunga has been featured in various video games over the years, particularly in racing games where it is often included as a high-performance sports car.

One of the most memorable appearances of the Vallelunga in video games was in "Gran Turismo 2" for the PlayStation, where it was part of the "Italian Sports Cars" class and could be purchased in the game's dealership.

In addition to its appearances in movies and video games, the De Tomaso Vallelunga has also been featured in various automotive publications and car enthusiast forums. Its unique design and engineering make it a popular subject for discussion among car enthusiasts and a sought-after collector's item.

The De Tomaso Vallelunga has left a lasting impression on popular culture, finding its place in the history of the sports car industry and capturing the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world.

Last Sale

The last sale of this exceptional model was on May 1, 2022. The car was sold for a serious €324,860 ($342,260) at an auction in Cassel (France). In excellent condition, restored-original, with steering wheel on the right side.

Rumours: Is a New Model on the Horizon?

Now, more than 50 years later, De Tomaso is set to launch a successor to the Vallelunga. According to reports, the new model will be a plug-in hybrid, featuring a modern design and cutting-edge technology.

The car will be built using lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber, and will feature a mid-mounted engine. The powertrain is expected to be a hybrid system, featuring a small displacement engine coupled with an electric motor.

The combined output is rumored to be around 600 hp, making the car capable of reaching speeds of over 200 mph. We have nothing left but to wait!