Hi all,
I regularly click on and view the material on this site. i think its great so i signed up.

Here is a pic of my Longcamp Spyder!

Absolutely fantastic looking car!

I’ve just bought my first De Tomaso from down under, it left Melbourne yesterday and it is now heading towards the UK in a 20’ container!

I get the impression there are even fewer cars in Australia than in the UK which is difficult I know, it would be good to hear a bit more about the car

Yours

Robert J. Baker

Spyder, - Beautiful car! Must be very rare and I thnk we all deserve to see more photos of it!

thanks
The car is a 1982 model. i have had it for about 4 years. Previous owner did most of the work on it, including suspension, brakes and engine. Engine is a 351 ford clevland with some work to it. Carby is a holley 770 street avenger vacuum secondary(just fitted, previously was a carter) and manifold is edelbrock performer. Car performs magnificently! Will be Dyno tuned within the next month or so because carby is new and jets need to be set right. Transmission is a C6, pretty much indestructable. Aluminium radiator with cooling fans. Aircondition as well.
Wheels were picked up from the USA. They are 17inch... with 285/45 series tyres on the back and 255/45 on the front
Interior is cream leather with the wood grain dash.

found another shot.
yes it is very rare in australia.
i have only seen one other around.
It only comes out on summer days and when it does it stirs alot of attention!!

Hi,

That's a lovely Longchamp Spyder - do you know how many were made in right-hand drive?

Also, what's the story behind this car - was it delivered new to Oz?

Like Rob Baker, I also have a De Tomaso heading for the UK in a container (albeit from the US) so there should be at least 2 new DT's in Blighty come April.

Sincerely,

Ben Tyer

Many thanks for the extra pics. Am I correct in thinking that all Lonchamp’s were hard top but were shipped off the production line to Pavesi (sp) to have the work done or indeed done after market? I also seem to recall that it was a hugely expensive operation.

Ben if you want to talk importing De T’s to the UK and so as to avoid hijacking the thread my email is:

Robert@rbaker16.fsnet.co.uk

Are you a member of the DDC UK yet?

Great looking car, did you buy it from Anthony Meany?

I have been creating a registry of the remaining Longchamps, I have found about 80 so far. There are about 10 in Australia. I have a 78 GTS, #3001, that Mrs DeTomaso drove for 6 years before sending it to the US.

According to the factory there were 395 coupes and 14 spyders made. The official factory spyders started in 1982, the earlier ones were modified by the owners (I know of 4). 14 cars came with a 5 sp ZF transmission, the rest had the Ford C6 automatic. I know of 5 RHD cars, 3 of which are spyders, all are GTS.

Enjoy your car.
Scott Martin

Beautiful......absolutely beautiful!

Thankyou all,
From what i know it was delivered new to Oz and sold through a dealership. i have dealership booklet with it. I have been told that they came without an engine and was fitted with the ford 351 here in Oz. I was recently stopped on the road by one of the mechanics who used to put them together, the guy was nearly in tears. said he hadnt seen one for years.

I bought it from a guy by the name of Peter.

i will keep you all posted after the dyno tune.
Lets see what rear wheel horsepower she has!