1965 De Tomaso P70
- Engine
- Ford small-block V8 with Gurney Weslake aluminum cylinder heads
The De Tomaso P70 is a one-off rear-engined open prototype conceived around 1964–65 through a collaboration between Alejandro de Tomaso, Carroll Shelby, Peter Brock, and coachbuilder Medardo Fantuzzi. Built on de Tomaso's spine-chassis architecture and clothed in aerodynamically advanced bodywork featuring a rear airfoil, the car was intended for Can-Am competition but was abandoned after Shelby withdrew from the project. It was rebadged as the Ghia De Tomaso Sport 5000 and shown at the 1965 Turin Motor Show before spending decades stored in the de Tomaso factory. Rediscovered in 2004, it was subsequently restored and exhibited at several prestigious concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$720,000
- 2004 → 2013-04-01Private saleBelgian collectorpartial documentation
Acquisition was facilitated after Philippe Olczyk located the car in 2004; the new owner commissioned reassembly and partial restoration work by various Modena specialists, including fabrication of missing bodywork and fitting of a Ford small-block engine.
- 2013-04-01 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Initiated a more thorough restoration and displayed the car at several prestigious concours events from 2013 onward.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryAlejandro de Tomasopartial documentation
Car was built under de Tomaso's direction, presented at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, and subsequently stored disassembled in a corner of the factory for many years.
Competition
- 19651965 Turin Motor Show
Presented under the Ghia De Tomaso Sport 5000 designation following repositioning of the project after Shelby withdrew.
- 20052005 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
Displayed in an unfinished, unpolished condition as part of the initial reassembly phase.
- 20132013 The Quail, A Motorsports GatheringMotor Trend Editor's Choice Award
Shown as part of a tribute to designer Pete Brock following completion of the more comprehensive restoration.
- 20162016 The Quail, A Motorsports GatheringBest Post-War Racing Car
- 20162016 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Maintenance & restoration
- 2004RestorationVarious Modena workshops
Chassis was rebuilt with replacement suspension and brake components; a new front bodywork section was fabricated; new cast aluminium wheels were made to the original design; a Ford small-block engine fitted with Gurney Weslake aluminium cylinder heads was installed.
Surviving original components included the chassis, rear clamshell body, cockpit, seats, and dashboard.
- 2013Restoration
A more extensive restoration was carried out following the current owner's acquisition in April 2013, bringing the car to a higher state of completion and finish.
Work preceded the car's display at the 2013 Quail Motorsports Gathering Pete Brock tribute.
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