De Tomaso Lonchamp Spyder....

Author
Discussion

gruffgriff

Original Poster:

1,698 posts

249 months

Tuesday 26th February 2008
quotequote all
...new in classifieds today: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/391411.htm
Just for something to look at, alas it`s in Sydney. Looks lovely, if a little over-polished. What do you think Transmitter Man?

Youtube link failed but this gets there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ZJlP8e9jc


Probably just as well I don`t have sound at work, will have to re-visit later at home. Bet it sounds good! smile

Edited to add advert link - doh!

Edited by gruffgriff on Wednesday 27th February 12:19

TCEvo

13,385 posts

208 months

Tuesday 26th February 2008
quotequote all
Damn that looks good - factory build or later conversion? Never seen one before.

gruffgriff

Original Poster:

1,698 posts

249 months

Wednesday 27th February 2008
quotequote all
A couple more here:
http://www.qv500.com/detomasoregistryindexlongcham...
and a few in the non-GTS Lonchamp section of the same qv500 site.

Rear bodywork looks like the other GTS Spyders to me, so I`d say factory. Blinkin rare!

Jderh

6,225 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th February 2008
quotequote all
Pretty nice looking. Well, nice looking than this one:






Pictured rusting away in Barcelona, Spain.

Edited by Jderh on Wednesday 27th February 20:19

gruffgriff

Original Poster:

1,698 posts

249 months

Thursday 28th February 2008
quotequote all
Hmm, running a grubby smoker has some perverse appeal, but I fear that one is too far gone...

Well, that Youtube vid was an aural disappointment, didn`t think much of the commentary!

Transmitter Man

4,253 posts

230 months

Thursday 28th February 2008
quotequote all
There's muddy records of just how many 'factory' spyders were produced via the Parvesi coachbuilding firm up the road.

Some cars were definitely converted at a later date from coupes.

Factory GTS/GTSE Spyders were I feel sure counted on one hand.

The very last 6 cars built post 86 were called GTSE's and had not just the wide arches but running boards and the quad lamps which get away from those IMO aweful Granada MK 1 headlamps.

That blue is not over polished, that's just how the blue looks in bright daylight. Not dissimilar to one of the later Mercedes blues.

Wheels are Campanolo replica's and are taller than the original magnesium wheels, heavier too but allow one to run a wider range of modern rubber.

Tyres suitable for the GTS/GTSE 10 x 15" rear wheels are getting difficult to find!

Nice car.

I'll stick with the coupe.

BTW the last GTSE Spyder is for sale here in Chelsea. The price makes the car above a steal even adding a few grand for importing from Aus.

Phil
79 De Tomaso Longchamp GTS

gruffgriff

Original Poster:

1,698 posts

249 months

Friday 29th February 2008
quotequote all
Thanks Phil. Single fugures?! Truly a rare beast then!
I think that blue quite suits it, it`s just the brightwork that looks too shiny to my eye. Factory correct painted wheels like yours would be more appropriate? But as you say, looks good value, especially if it`s spent all it`s life in dry Aus!

TCEvo

13,385 posts

208 months

Friday 29th February 2008
quotequote all
Agree, the wheels look wrong on the Spyder, too bling. Pity about the brown one above, good looking cars those. Thinking about it don't think I've ever seen a couple either.

Transmitter Man

4,253 posts

230 months

Sunday 2nd March 2008
quotequote all
Gary,

What some DT owners have done that have gone to larger camagnola wheel clones made out of billet ali is to bead blast them to get rid of the shine and to have them powder coated in the right shade of grey.

I am seriously considering going this route when changing from the stock 15" rims.

However there are some serious rims offered for DT's. Let this page load, Enter then let load again then click on the top centre black car:

http://www.wildpantera.com/

These are one-off custom made rims from Aus.

I want some!

...but would have them painted to have that understated look. Can you have understated 18 x 14" rims?

Phil
79 De Tomaso Longchamp GTS

gruffgriff

Original Poster:

1,698 posts

249 months

Monday 3rd March 2008
quotequote all
Phil, I can`t think of any way of muting the visual impact of those monsters! Very OTT, but they seem to work!

Fabulous bodywork on the black car - I like the subtle contrast of high gloss and satin finishes on various panels. Someone`s thought about the stone chips those tyres would undoubtedly cause!

I had the pleasure of a static sit in a RHD Mangusta, alas it was boxed-in by an Espada and various Jags, but it fitted nicely.

Transmitter Man

4,253 posts

230 months

Tuesday 4th March 2008
quotequote all
I've just never taken to the Mangusta.

Don't know why.

It's just like the early Pantera L compared to the later GT5 or GT5S.

I do smile at the fact that DT got to fit the see-thru engine cover about 30 years before Ferrari:-)

Phil
79 De Tomaso Longchamp GTS

dinkel

27,123 posts

264 months

Saturday 8th March 2008
quotequote all
Other than that it is a bit high on the (front)wheels it's pretty much allright to me:




Nice DT spider.



gruffgriff

Original Poster:

1,698 posts

249 months

Monday 17th March 2008
quotequote all
I agree, shape needs nothing but stance isn`t quite right. Front and rear track could do with a little stretch too.
Unusual pop-up lights on that red one - not that I`ve seen loads, but never seen that feature on any others.