Founded in 1959 under the visionary leadership of Argentinian racing star Alejandro De Tomaso, the De Tomaso enterprise was founded on a basic yet powerful concept: to design and build High-performance sports car that perfectly combines the appeal of Italian design with precision engineering.
Background
The brainchild of Shelby and De Tomaso’s collaboration, called the ‘Prototipi’ or ‘P70’, thanks to its planned 7.0-liter engine. However, as the project progressed, the dynamic between the two dominant figures led to the dissolution of their partnership, just as the cars were about to be completed. The Shelby – De Tomaso P70 exists as a unique mechanical testament to what could be a winning alliance. With its innovative ultra-lightweight central chassis and cleverly integrated Ford V8 engine, the P70 boasts a power-to-weight ratio that easily surpasses or surpasses the competition.
The rebirth of a legend
In 2019, the world saw the launch of the P72, a loving tribute to the legendary sports cars of the 1960s and 70s, most notably the iconic De Tomaso P70. Even today, the P70 remains something of an enigma, an unlikely collaboration between two of the most formidable figures in international motorsport, Carroll Shelby and Alejandro de Tomaso. Together, they envisioned a race car that could dominate the Porsches, Ferraris and Fords.
To celebrate De Tomaso’s 60th anniversary, we are proud to present the first project for our revival, P72. This elegant creation pays heartfelt homage to the De Tomaso P70, taking inspiration and visual cues from the original racing car. The P72 creates a new segment, placing maximum emphasis on driver interaction and a return to analog nostalgia. Along with its advanced chassis dynamics, the P72 boasts a full carbon fiber body that exudes a timeless aesthetic, combined with a manual transmission. It is a medium that transcends generations.
Production starts in H2 2024
The P72 remains the epitome of exclusivity, with just 72 coupes expected to be produced globally, with every single one already on order. Production will be carried out by HWA Engineering Speed, the company founded by Hans Werner Aufrecht. Many people will recognize this name as the co-founder of AMG, which was eventually sold to Mercedes in 1998.
