1965 De Tomaso Vallelunga Competizione
English traffic document
Chassis no. VLD 1611
Engine No. 8465061
- Collection of a Parisian amateur
- Rare and original model
- Equipped with its original Twin-cam engine
- One of the rare right-hand drive examples
- Recent mechanical work
Alejandro de Tomaso started his racing career in Argentina before racing in Italy for Maserati and Osca and establishing his company in 1959, focusing on racing car production. After his prototypes, his first road car appeared in 1964, the Vallelunga, a sports car followed the following year by a coupe. With a body designed by Fissore, the first three prototypes were made of aluminum with a tilting rear, the following examples being made of fiberglass with a traditional bezel. This car is distinguished by a bold design reflecting the experience of competition. Thus, it is the second mid-engine production car, after the ATS, and it has a complex chassis and a suspension system directly inspired by Formula 3 combining lightness and rigidity. It is then powered by a 1.5 liter Ford Kent engine derived from the series and therefore reliable.
Despite its sporting qualities, the Vallelunga will not be a commercial success. With a selling price at the time of 3.5 million lire, that of a Lancia Flaminia Zagato and more than half that of a Ferrari Berlinetta, only around fifty were produced. copies by Fissore and Ghia who will ensure their marketing. Colonel Ronnie Hoare, Ferrari importer in England, will propose to fit a more powerful block, a Lotus twin-cam of 1600 cm3 and 135 hp associated with a five-speed gearbox. From the first examples, the twin-cam engine option was offered by the factory on request and appears in the sales brochures which highlight the Vallelungas in competition. If the press articles are cautious about the release of the prototype, the tests of the production versions including that of José Rosinski in Sport Auto report very good road behavior.
Today there are only around twenty of these cars, slightly different from each other. The model presented is the VLD 1611 chassis (D for "destra"), "competition" version equipped with the twin-cam engine powered by two Weber DCOE40 carburettors and coupled to a five-speed gearbox. It would have been the subject of the Autosport article in November 1965 during its visit to Maranello Concessionaires, in England. It was then sold to driver Rob Lamplough, before being exported to Australia where it remained until 2014. It was owned by Fred Vogel before racing in the hands of Andrew Osmon and Peter Bell. Restored in Australia at the end of the 2000s then acquired by Sam Calabro, it was regularly maintained there.
Cleared from customs when purchased in Europe, it was the subject of nearly €7,000 in costs by its current owner (restarting, repair of the expansion tank, repair of the electrical system of the central console, repair of the brake and clutch master cylinder, bleeding of the clutch and brake hydraulic circuits, etc.). The registration documents, log book, maintenance invoices, a photo file, a copy of the sales brochure and important documentation on the model will be given to the buyer.
A fast-paced test confirmed to us how the Vallelunga, equipped with a lively and reliable engine, is very agile thanks to its light and balanced chassis ensuring exemplary road behavior. A rare and original car, it magnificently embodies the Italian sporting culture of the 1960s in its purest aspect.
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British title
Chassis no. VLD 1611
Engine no. 8465061
- Collection of a Parisian enthusiast
- Rare and original model
- Fitted with its original twin-cam engine
- One of the rare right-hand drive examples
- Recent mechanical work
Alejandro de Tomaso started his racing career in Argentina before driving in Italy for Maserati and Osca. In 1959 he established a business building race cars. After producing various prototypes, his first road car, the Vallelunga, appeared in 1964. This was a sporty barchetta, and was followed by a coupe version in 1965. With a body designed by Fissore, the first three prototypes in aluminum had a sloping rear . The subsequent fiberglass examples came with a more traditional rear windscreen. The car's bold design evolved from experience gained in competition. It was only the second production car with a mid-engine set-up, after the ATS, and had a complex chassis with Formula 3 inspired suspension that was both light and rigid. The car was equipped with the reliable Ford Kent 1.5-litre engine.
In spite of its sporty characteristics, the Vallelunga was not a commercial success. With a price tag of 3.5 million lira, the same as a Lancia Flaminia Zagato, and over half that of a Ferra