http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7650045562/m/7570073273/p/1
The previous owner, who posted as "Detomaso SJJ1" wrote some half-baked explanation of why this car should be considered a DeTomaso (basically he claimed to have photos -- which he did not post -- of Alejandro DeTomaso turning wrenches on the car). The fact is, the car was never referred to as anything other than a Guanci until this person decided to sell it. Even the January 1982 issue of Motor Trend Magazine, which he kept going on about, refers to the car as a Guanci. Still, being mildly curious, I decided to do a little detective work on the Internet. In particular, I noted Detomaso SJJ1's postings on the above-mentioned thread in September of 2005 when he wrote as follows:
"ok I sold the car for $75,000 to a museum in London England."
"I sold the car to the owner of the Southward Car Museum which is in Wellington, but the owner said the car was going in his private collection that he has in London England."
"Evidently the museum that bought the car knew more about it than I did because they have every model that De Tomaso has ever built including the other red SJJ1. They were all over this car like stink on crap. I have never seen anyone jump on a car so fast."
I sent an e-mail to the Southward Museum Trust, asking if they own or have ever owned any automobiles manufactured by DeTomaso. The reply is reproduced below:
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:48:34 +1200 (New Zealand Standard Time) From: "Sue"
To: phavlik...
Subject: Re: DeTomaso cars
Reply-To: "Sue"
Hi Peter
No we have no vehicles manufactured by DeTomaso.
Regards
Stan Bellamore
Manager
After that, I wrote Detomaso SJJ1 off as not credible. However, I think more than one SJJ1 Guanci seems to have been produced (I have observed from various internet photos at least three distinctive front end treatments and perhaps four colours). If anyone is interested, here's a couple of links:
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26571
http://clubopel.org/foro/viewtopic.php?t=13820&start=0&...e3b8b0bf3356af70bc27
If anyone wants to double check Detomaso SJJ1's story, then a call or e-mail to Tom Tjaarda should settle the following claim:
"Alejandro De Tomaso met John Guanci through one of John's best friends, Tom Tjaarda"
Personally, I don't plan to waste any more time on this.