When we bought our Longchamp, we wanted to have a coupe that was different than a Mercedes or other Luxo-Euro GT vehicle. By the time we imported, Federalized and ironed out all the bugs including the damage caused by Lufthansa with their expert handling, we had more money invested in the car than if we had bought a 928 or MB. I must say though, we had something different and better yet, it had an Isis badge on the snout that we could brag about. If DeTomaso had built an SUV in 1984 when we bought the Longchamp, we would have bought it if we could reasonably have afforded it. This is because we are DeTomaso addicts. We wanted a Deauville as well but ended up buying a DeTomaso era Quattroporte (what a nightmare but supremely comfortable) and we could still brag it was a DeTomaso in a way.
We carry around a lot of stuff now wherever we go and we live in the country where we could use a 4WD as well. If cost was not a factor (and it certainly is) we would be interested in the new DT SUV just because it is a DeTomaso. HOWEVER, if there is not a connection, a reaching-out to us old owners and the new DeTomaso is intent on carving out a new market space of Generation X, Y, Z or whatever and to hell with us old farts (sorry George! for using the F-word), this type of disconnect would turn me off to the car altogether. I can definitely see a market for this car within our large group or network of existing DeTomaso owners and enthusiasts. A good friend of mine bought a Bigua which later became the Qvale Mangusta. He told me he couldn't stand the looks but he wanted it because it was a DeTomaso, at least at the outset. I felt the same way when I first saw the Bigua in Modena at the European Meeting. It did not strike me as an automobile representative of the spirit of DeTomaso but I did tell the importer to put me on the list for one. It is about loyalty and passion for the marque. If the new owners can rekindle some of that enthusiasm, you might be surprised if there wasn't a few of the new SUV's at a future Concorso in our corral. Somebody has to haul the trophies and Lambrusco to the display area!
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