De Tomaso Deauville

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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.

Like many wealthy Italians, he was a big fan of the new Jaguar XJ6 saloon and decided to launch his own rival at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. He employed American-born Tom Tjaarda of Carrozzeria Ghia to design the graceful four-door bodywork while the chassis was largely that of the contemporary Maserati Quattroporte with Jaguar-style independent rear suspension and disc brakes all round.

However, under the bonnet lurked a massive Ford Cleveland 5.7-litre V8, as used in the Pantera, which gave the luxury saloon near supercar performance. Driving through a three-speed Ford automatic gearbox, it had 330bhp on tap and could sprint to 60mph in just over 7 seconds on its way to a top speed of almost 150mph.

Although the car was widely admired and proved very reliable in service, it was far too expensive compared to a Jaguar and just 244 examples were sold before production came to an end in 1985 – including two armoured versions, one for the Belgian Royal Family and one for the Italian government.

One of only eight Deauvilles known to be in the UK, this rare right-hand drive car was first registered in February 1978 and has been in the Stondon Motor Museum Collection since 2003. Presented in striking metallic Emerald Green with a sumptuous cream leather interior, it appears to be in good cosmetic condition throughout.

When offered for sale in a previous Brightwells sale, the history file contained nine old MOTs going back to 1988, showing that the car was in regular use from then until 2001, clocking up some 27,000 miles during that time. Bidders are advised that at present, the documents file only contains a current V5C and a photocopy of the old blue V5.

The car is still said to be in running order and has been very little used for the last 12 years and will doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before being put back into use. Altogether a most glamorous and useable super-saloon that is sure to attract a huge amount of attention wherever it goes.

AMENDMENT: Additional documents for this car have now been located including 9 old MOTs from 1988 to 2001, a few bills and two original De Tomaso Deauville sales brochures.