This is the 1965 DeTomaso P70 also sometimes known as the Ghia DeTomaso, the De Tomaso Sport 5000 Fantuzzi Spyder, and the De Tomaso 70P due to it’s slightly confusing history. This car was the result of a joint project between two legends of the automotive industry, Alejandro de Tomaso of Argentina, and Carrol Shelby of the USA. The purpose behind bringing the car to life was to dominate in the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC). Many different issues came about when this project first went underway, one of them being personality issues between Alejandro and Carroll. As a successful former racecar driver and speciality car builder himself, Carrol Shelby had a vision for the car and wouldn’t expect anything less. Just as the P70 project was getting underway, Shelby had been hired by Ford to compete in endurance races with the very famous GT40, which effectively canceled the P70 project. A second car, built using a very similar chassis design as the P70, known as the Sport 5000 Spyder was built and eventually raced at the 1966 Grand Prix of Mugello, however, it didn’t finish even one lap. The original P70 was designed by American automotive and trailer designer, Pete Brock, and was constructed using an aluminum body on a steel backbone chassis from the De Tomaso Vallelunga. After the first initial design was completed, Shelby requested a re-working of the project, which would now also include the help of Italian automotive engineer, Medardo Fantuzzi. After Shelby pulled out of the project entirely, the P70 was left to be finished off by Italian automobile design and coachbuilding firm, Carrozzeria Ghia SpA.
How many made? Only 1. A second car was built (SP5000001) known as the Sport 5000 Spyder, however, it’s not exactly the same as the car shown here. The Sport 5000 has a noticeably taller windscreen, amongst a number of other changes. It’s very easy to get the two cars confused.
Engine: 289ci Hi-Po Gurney-Westlake V8 Engine with 350bhp at 6,000rpm through a 5-Speed Manual.
Debut: 1965 Turin Auto Show
Top speed: Unknown
0-60mph: Unknown
Photo credit: @intrepidaesthete
Research: @rarecarsonly