De Tomaso

Founded in Modena in 1959 by Argentine-born racer Alejandro de Tomaso, the company began as a builder of racing prototypes, including a Formula One chassis for the Frank Williams team in 1970. The brand reached global prominence in the late 1960s and 1970s with the introduction of the Mangusta and the iconic Pantera, the latter featuring a wedge-shaped design by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia and a Ford-sourced V8 engine. This partnership with Ford allowed De Tomaso to sell the Pantera through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the United States, cementing its reputation as a manufacturer of 'Italian soul with American muscle.' Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Alejandro de Tomaso expanded his industrial footprint, acquiring brands such as Maserati, Innocenti, and the motorcycle manufacturer Moto Guzzi. During this period, the company produced a range of luxury grand tourers and saloons, including the Deauville and Longchamp. However, by the 1990s, the brand faced increasing financial pressure, and production of the Pantera ceased in 1993, followed by the short-lived Guarà. Following Alejandro's death in 2003, the company entered a period of insolvency and underwent several failed attempts at revival by various investment groups. In 2014, the rights to the De Tomaso brand were acquired by Hong Kong-based Ideal Team Ventures (ITV), the same group responsible for the Apollo Automobili resurgence. Under the leadership of Chairman Norman Choi, the brand was officially relaunched at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed with the P72, a bespoke hypercar inspired by the stillborn 1960s P70 racing project. This marked a strategic pivot toward ultra-limited production runs and high-margin bespoke manufacturing. Today, De Tomaso operates as a boutique hypercar marque with a focus on internal combustion purity and artisan craftsmanship. Recent developments include the announcement of the track-only P900, powered by a bespoke naturally aspirated V12, and the establishment of technical partnerships with premier German engineering firms to ensure production quality. The company continues to position itself as a custodian of the classic supercar era, resisting the industry-wide shift toward electrification in favor of 'soulful' mechanical engineering.