De Tomaso Automobiles

By: Wallace A. Wyss . (OFFICIAL MERCIAN MANUALS REPRINT)

The De Tomaso signature sits beneath the Pantera with a pride and glamour that no one would want to take away. This svelte yet ferocious beast typifies the marque, a range of cars that, it apart, goes almost unknown throughout the world. Here is an original, still unique, attempt at cataloguing all the cars which have borne the De Tomaso insignia. The word attempt is used carefully — such is the complexity of the now established De Tomaso empire, that no one will ever know the meaning of the description 'complete' when applied to his menagerie.

There's a biography of the founder and linchpin — Alejandro.
His 'home construction' racing cars are analysed in depth, as is his personal driving career with Maseratis and Oscas.
His prototype and styling cars are shown off.
His pre-Pantera production cars are discussed — the spine chassis Vallelunga and Mangusta.
Reams of fresh data are added to the Pantera story, bringing it right up to date. Even customized and turbocharged versions come in for review The Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz lookalikes — the Deauville and Longchamp.
His Maserati connection.
His motorcycle empire with Moto Guzzi and Benelli are not dismissed either.

Here's the full, detailed story of the man and the cars which have firmly assigned the name of De Tomaso to the world's automotive establishment. How did the ex-patriot Argentine 'make-it' in the big, wide automotive world? Read on.

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