1966 By Tomaso Vallelunga
French traffic document
Chassis no. 4236620
- Probably the most original Vallelunga in the world
- Only 53 copies produced
- Superb drawing and excellent performance
The Vallelunga prototype was designed and produced by Carrozzeria Fissore, an open spider and two coupes being produced in 1963/1964. The Vallelunga featured a beam chassis and a 1.5-liter Ford Kent four-cylinder engine that was also structural, an accepted practice in competition cars but rare in touring automobiles. De Tomaso's long experience in motor racing was also reflected in the Vallelunga's running gear, with completely independent suspension by wishbones and coil springs, rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes on all four wheels. The production Vallelunga was fitted with a fiberglass bodywork beautifully designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, inspired by both the Ferrari 250 LM and the Dino 206. Compared to the cars made by Fissore, it displayed many differences in detail such as for example access to the engine, which was via a glass tailgate rather than a rear section that lifts up as on the prototypes.
Although only a modest tumbler engine, the Ford Kent engine was both robust and easy to prepare, and in the Vallelunga it was fed by a Weber carburettor. Around fifty Vallelungas were manufactured in 1965-1966 before De Tomaso evolved into the Mangusta. About three factory competition cars also left the workshops, as well as perhaps three aluminum-bodied cars.
The car we are offering was sold to its first owner in 1966, probably in France. It was then sold in 1971 to its second owner, in Haut-Rhin, where it remained until its recent death. At that time, it was undergoing body painting work and had been partially stripped, before the operation was stopped. Other than that, the car has never been restored and probably hasn't been driven much since the 1970s. The current owner says it works, but it obviously requires a careful restart before it can be driven again. the road.
A De Tomaso Vallelunga as unique and original as this probably does not exist anywhere else in the world. As such, it is sure to attract the attention of any serious collector.
French title
Chassis #4236620
- Most original Vallelunga in the world
- Only 53 built
- Gorgeous design with great performance
The Vallelunga prototype was styled and constructed by Carrozzeria Fissore, an alloy-bodied spider and a pair of closed coupes having been completed in 1963/64. The Vallelunga was assembled around a backbone chassis frame and was powered by a 1.5-litre Ford Kent 4-cylinder engine which performed double-duty as a stressed chassis member, a practice becoming accepted in competition car construction of the time but rare within road cars . De Tomaso's long racing experience was also reflected in the design of the Vallelungas running gear, which included all-independent suspension by wishbones and coil springs, rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes. The production Vallelunga featured striking glass-fibre coupe bodywork styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro with more than a hint of Ferrari 250LM and Dino 206 combined. Compared with the Fissore-styled cars, there were numerous detail differences, the most obvious concerning access to the engine bay, which was via a glass hatch rather than the hinged clamshell-type rear body section of the prototypes.
Although just a humble pushrod power unit, the Ford Kent engine was both robust and immensely tunable, and when installed in the Vallelunga it was fitted with Weber carburettors. Power was transmitted via a Hewland transaxle. Approximately 50 production Vallelungas were made during 1965-66 before De Tomaso moved on to manufacture the Mangusta. About three factory race cars were produced and possibly three aluminum skinned cars left de Tomaso.
The car on offer was sold to its first owner in 1966, probably in France. It then passed to its second owner in 1971 in the Haut-Rhin area (Alsace) where it remained in the same ownership until recently, when the owner passed away. At that moment, the car was in the process of being re-painted and some of the paint had been stripped when the work stopped. Apart from this, the car is untouched from new and has probably not seen much use since the 70s. The current owner has told us that the car is running but will need fully re-commissioning before it can be put into proper use again.
An opportunity to acquire a unique and untouched de Tomaso Vallelunga like this will surely not come round again and must not be missed by the serious collector.
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