De Tomaso Longchamp GTS Spyder

Alejandro De Tomaso began making racing cars in Modena, Italy, in 1959 and soon branched out into powerful V8-engined road machines, the most famous being the mighty Pantera that was launched in 1970. First shown at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, the De Tomaso Longchamp 2+2 Coupe was based on the Deauville saloon and used a shortened version of the four-seater’s chassis. Designed by Tom Tjaarda of Ghia, the styling was influenced by his previous Lancia Marica prototype and had ruggedly chunky good looks and a luxury interior that appealed to the hairy-chested GT man of the era.

Power came from a 330bhp Ford Cleveland 351Ci (5.7-litre) V8 driving through an automatic gearbox that could propel the car to 149mph. The suspension was independent front and rear with coil springs and wishbones; steering was power-assisted rack-and-pinion with vented disc brakes all round. In 1980 a GTS variant was launched with wider wheels, flared wheelarches and revised suspension settings. A convertible Spyder model was also offered with coachwork by Carrozerria Pavesi of Milan. Only 409 Longchamps were built before production ended in 1989 of which just 14 were Spyders.

This very rare left-hand drive 1982 De Tomaso Longchamp GTS Spyder is thought to be one of only three such cars in the UK. It has been in the current ownership since 1988 when it was imported from South Africa. Metallic Maroon with a cream leather interior, it was fitted with a new 400Ci (6-litre) high performance engine built by Terry Hoyle Racing Engineers (Ferarri specialists) in 2000, costing £12,500. The spec includes special high compression pistons and a new crank; Australian closed chamber heads; new Holley 650 carburettor; lightweight Weiand manifold and hi-torque starter motor. The automatic gearbox was also fully overhauled at the same time.

The car has only done some 5,000 miles since the work was completed and is said to be in very good condition throughout with awesome performance and a thunderous exhaust note! Rust-proofed from new, it has an MOT until November 2010 and is taxed until September. This is a real beast of a car that is sure to prove a real talking point at any car show and will certainly get you noticed in the golf club car park. It has just been driven some 220 miles to the saleroom and performed faultlessly.