De Tomaso Vallelunga History

Shown as a prototype at the 1963 Turin Motor Show, the Vallelunga entered limited production in 1964 as De Tomaso's first road car. Named for the Vallelunga racing circuit outside Rome, it was a compact mid-engine coupé carrying a 104 hp four-cylinder engine shared with the Ford Cortina, mounted just ahead of the rear axle.

Early bodies were built by Carrozzeria Fissore; production later transferred to Ghia, where fibreglass-bodied cars were assembled. Total output was approximately 50–65 cars across the production run to 1967. The Vallelunga established De Tomaso's template — Ford mechanicals in an Italian chassis — that would define every road car the company built thereafter.