1966 Vallelunga  |
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1965 DeTomaso Vallelunga Fantuzzi Spyder news, pictures, and information | ||
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This DeTomaso Vallelunga Spyder with coachwork by Fantuzzi was shown at the 2006 Quail Gathering making its first appearance outside of Italy in 41 years.
The Vallelunga series was produced from 1965 through 1967 with a total of 58 examples being created. This was the first road car made by DeTomaso and a prototype version was first shown in 1963. It was also one of the earliest vehicles to utilize a mid-engined layout. Though cars such as the Porsche 550 Spyder and Ford GT40 had used this design before, this was the first road-going example to utilize this configuration.
The body and chassis was constructed of lightweight material which made the four-cylinder engine with just over 100 horsepower more than adequate to give this small car sports-car status. The bodywork was comprised of a lightweight fiber-glass construction. Top speed was reported to be around 112 mph.
The name 'Vellelunga' was named after an Italian racetrack. After 1967 the production of the Vallelunga ceased as the company turned its interests to the Mangusta which was powered by an eight-cylinder engine.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2006
The Vallelunga series was produced from 1965 through 1967 with a total of 58 examples being created. This was the first road car made by DeTomaso and a prototype version was first shown in 1963. It was also one of the earliest vehicles to utilize a mid-engined layout. Though cars such as the Porsche 550 Spyder and Ford GT40 had used this design before, this was the first road-going example to utilize this configuration.
The body and chassis was constructed of lightweight material which made the four-cylinder engine with just over 100 horsepower more than adequate to give this small car sports-car status. The bodywork was comprised of a lightweight fiber-glass construction. Top speed was reported to be around 112 mph.
The name 'Vellelunga' was named after an Italian racetrack. After 1967 the production of the Vallelunga ceased as the company turned its interests to the Mangusta which was powered by an eight-cylinder engine.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2006
The DeTomaso was introduced in the early 1960s and produced until 1968. It was an exotic, mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car that was based on a roadster designed by Carrozzeria Fissore. It was named after the Autodromo di Vallelunga first shown as a concept car at the Turin Motor Show in 1964. DeTomaso planned to sell the design of the concept to another automaker but an interested party could not be found. As a result, DeTomaso undertook the project with the vehicle assembly outsourced to Ghia.
The Vallelunga was powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder Kent engine sourced from the Ford Cortina. It produced just over 100 horsepower. The chassis was a pressed steel backbone with tubular subframes. A Volkswagen Beetle transaxle was used and fitted with Hewland gearsets. The entire package was clothed in a fiberglass body along with many drilled aluminum parts. At all four corners were disc brakes.
Only 53 production examples were produced (a total of 58 examples when including the prototypes and race cars). Production ceased before the vehicles problems could be resolved, such as quieting the noisy, high-torque engine or working out the drive train vibration issues. It was replaced by the DeTomsao Mangusta which used a modified Vallelunga chassis and powered by a Ford Boss 302 motor.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe Vallelunga was powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder Kent engine sourced from the Ford Cortina. It produced just over 100 horsepower. The chassis was a pressed steel backbone with tubular subframes. A Volkswagen Beetle transaxle was used and fitted with Hewland gearsets. The entire package was clothed in a fiberglass body along with many drilled aluminum parts. At all four corners were disc brakes.
Only 53 production examples were produced (a total of 58 examples when including the prototypes and race cars). Production ceased before the vehicles problems could be resolved, such as quieting the noisy, high-torque engine or working out the drive train vibration issues. It was replaced by the DeTomsao Mangusta which used a modified Vallelunga chassis and powered by a Ford Boss 302 motor.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
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 1965
DeTomaso
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| DeTomaso Vallelunga |
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