De Tomaso Longchamp
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| De Tomaso Longchamp | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | De Tomaso |
| Production | 1973–1989 |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 2-door convertible |
| Engine | V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm (102.4 in.) |
| Length | 4600 mm (181.1 in.) |
| Width | 1830 mm (72 in in.) |
| Height | 1295 mm (51 in.) |
| Weight | 1815 kg (4001 lb) (GTS) |
| Related | Maserati Kyalami |
| Designer | Tom Tjaarda under Ghia |
The De Tomaso Longchamp is a two-door 2+2 coupe produced by the Italian automaker De Tomaso. The Longchamp was a coupe version of the Deauville model, using a shortened Deauville wheelbase; these two models are the only front-engined cars made by De Tomaso. The car was first exhibited at the 1972 Turin Motor Show. The Longchamp GTS variant was introduced one year later; it had wider wheels and flared wheel arches. A cabriolet variant came at the 1980 Turin Motor Show. The cabriolet was made by Carrozerria Pavesi of Milan; very few of those were the GTS version.
The car was designed by Tom Tjaarda of Ghia. The Longchamp was designed with a long hood to accommodate a 351 in³ (5766 cc) Ford Cleveland V8. The 351 Cleveland, a popular upgrade in late 1960s Ford "muscle cars," produced 330 hp (246 kW) and gave 240 km/h (149 mph) top speed; the engine was the same as that used in the Pantera; gearbox was a 3-speed Ford C-6 Cruise-o-Matic automatic gearbox. Around 17 cars were equipped with a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox. At some later point the engine power was reduced to 270 hp.
The suspension was independent front and rear with coil spring and wishbone suspension; steering was power assisted rack and pinion with disc brakes all around, rear ones being inboard brakes. The interior of the car was quite luxurious and it was almost fully covered with leather.
The GTS variant had improved suspension, Campagnolo wheels with Pirelli P7 tyres, and some components and exterior details were changed. It was available with a rigid or flexible roof.
A total of 409 Longchamps were built (395 coupes and 14 spiders) until 1989, with only a couple per year built during the last years.
De Tomaso Modena S.p.A. car timeline, 1960s–2010s
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