Difference between revisions of "De Tomaso Vallelunga"

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The '''Vallelunga''' was an extremely rare [[MR layout|mid-engined]] [[sports car]] produced by [[De Tomaso]] from [[1965]] through [[1967]].  The Vallelunga was based on De Tomaso's [[Formula One]] racing technology, and the [[spyder|spider]] version was first shown as a [[concept car]] at the [[Turin Motor Show]] in [[1963]].  It entered production (by [[Ghia]]) two years later, with 53 coupe models built.
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The '''Vallelunga''' was an extremely rare [[MR layout|mid-engined]] [[sports car]] produced by [[De Tomaso]] from [[1965]] through [[1967]].   
  
The Vallelunga became one of the first mid-engined cars ever built when it entered production.  It served as an inspiration to [[Lamborghini]], [[Ferrari]], and [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]] who all introduced MR cars within a few years of the De Tomaso.
 
  
The engine was a 1592 cc [[straight-4]] from [[Ford]] with 104 hp (78 kW) at 6200 rpm.  The small car weighed just 585 kg (1290 lb) and had an [[independent suspension]] all around.
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==History==
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The Vallelunga was based on a roadster designed by Carozzeria Fissore and named after the [[ACI Vallelunga Circuit|Autodromo di Vallelunga]] first shown as a [[concept car]] at the Turin Motor Show in [[1964]].  De Tomaso had hoped to sell the design of the concept to another company, perhaps [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], but when there were no takers had the car produced by [[Carrozzeria Ghia|Ghia]].
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==Specifications==
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The engine was a 1.5L [[straight-4]] [[Ford Kent engine|Kent engine]] from the [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[Ford Cortina|Cortina]] with 104 [[Horsepower|hp]] (78 [[watt#Kilowatt|kW]]) at 6200 [[revolutions per minute|rpm]].  A [[Hewland]] transaxle was fitted.  The [[chassis]] was a pressed steel backbone with tubular subframes.  [[Suspension (vehicle)|Suspension]] was double wishbone and coil springs at all four corners with uprights sourced from [[Triumph Motor Company|Triumph]].  The small car weighed just 726kg (1600lb) with a fiberglass body and loads of drilled [[aluminium]] parts.  Brakes were [[Disc brake|disc]] all around.
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==Demise==
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Unfortunately the chassis was not as stiff as one would have hoped, and drive train vibrations were a constant problem.  Only 53 cars were built before it was quickly replace by the [[De Tomaso Mangusta]].  The Mangusta used the  Vallelunga chassis re-engineered to take a [[Ford Boss 302 engine]] with a body by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]].
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Rosetti, Giancarlo.  [http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/0502ec_de_tomaso_vallelunga/ De Tomaso Vallelunga Just the beginning for Alexjandro] ''European Car Magazine'' Accessed [[October 24]] [[2007]]
  
 
[[Category:De Tomaso vehicles|Vallelunga]]
 
[[Category:De Tomaso vehicles|Vallelunga]]
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[[Category:MR layout vehicles]]

Revision as of 13:53, 20 November 2007

The Vallelunga was an extremely rare mid-engined sports car produced by De Tomaso from 1965 through 1967.


History

The Vallelunga was based on a roadster designed by Carozzeria Fissore and named after the Autodromo di Vallelunga first shown as a concept car at the Turin Motor Show in 1964. De Tomaso had hoped to sell the design of the concept to another company, perhaps Ford, but when there were no takers had the car produced by Ghia.

Specifications

The engine was a 1.5L straight-4 Kent engine from the Ford Cortina with 104 hp (78 kW) at 6200 rpm. A Hewland transaxle was fitted. The chassis was a pressed steel backbone with tubular subframes. Suspension was double wishbone and coil springs at all four corners with uprights sourced from Triumph. The small car weighed just 726kg (1600lb) with a fiberglass body and loads of drilled aluminium parts. Brakes were disc all around.

Demise

Unfortunately the chassis was not as stiff as one would have hoped, and drive train vibrations were a constant problem. Only 53 cars were built before it was quickly replace by the De Tomaso Mangusta. The Mangusta used the Vallelunga chassis re-engineered to take a Ford Boss 302 engine with a body by Giorgetto Giugiaro.


Rosetti, Giancarlo. De Tomaso Vallelunga Just the beginning for Alexjandro European Car Magazine Accessed October 24 2007