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By the time the De Tomaso Pantera was introduced in 1971, De Tomaso Automobili was already taking steps to flesh out its model line. The design house "Ghia" was selected to design and provide body construction for two new cars, the Deauville 4-door sedan, and the Longchamp 2-door coupe.
The Deauville was designed to deliver high-performance luxury transportation for four. Tom Tjaarda was chosen as the lead stylist for both. Tjaarda developed a flowing-yet-muscular design, handsome from any angle, and retained the inverted trapezoidal grill concept first seen on the Mangusta.
The chassis, a full monocoque unit, employed fully independent suspension, the rear system featuring inboard disc brakes, and dual coil-over-shock absorber units.
Twin fuel tanks and twin fuel pumps were fitted with a dash-mounted switch and gauge so the driver could select which tank was being employed. The first Deauvilles were built in 1972. For power, the Deauville relied on the same 5.7 liter (351 cu. in.) Ford Cleveland V-8, as employed by the Pantera, rated at 300 horsepower (DIN) and mounted in front for this application.
Backing the engine was a Ford 3-speed automatic transmission; no manual transmission was offered. The Deauville is noted not only for its on-road performance but its interior comfort.
The comfortable yet supportive seats could be had in various leather and leather/cloth combinations, and the dash and door panels were wood-trimmed. Full instrumentation, factory air-conditioning, power window lifts, power steering, and a tilt steering wheel were all standard.
The center console extended into the rear of the passenger compartment, providing heat and air to the rear occupants. Approximately 240 were constructed, making it the second-rarest production De Tomaso (next to the Vallelunga) and the only 4-door sedan built to date by the company.
Source: www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au
Images: Ghia; De Tomaso
