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- 1963 Vallelunga
De Tomaso1963 De Tomaso Vallelunga Dimensions, Size & Specs| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1963 |
| Production Years: | 1964 - 1968 discontinued in 1968 |
The De Tomaso Vallelunga, produced between 1964 and 1968, is a noteworthy example of classic Italian sports car design from the mid-1960s. This coupe was the first road-going car conceived entirely by Alejandro de Tomaso, marking an important step in his automotive manufacturing legacy. The Vallelunga’s name, meaning "valley of light," reflects the sleek and lightweight nature of the vehicle. It featured a compact layout designed around a mid-engine configuration, which was quite innovative at the time and aimed to optimize driving dynamics and weight distribution. The body was styled with clean, aerodynamic lines typical of Italian design during this era, giving the Vallelunga a sporty yet elegant appearance suitable for both road use and spirited drives. Under the hood, it was powered by a 1.5-liter Ford engine, delivering a balanced combination of performance and reliability. The car’s lightweight chassis and modest power output allowed for nimble handling and a direct connection to the driving experience. With approximate dimensions that placed it in the compact sports coupe category, the Vallelunga’s length and width made it agile in tight corners, while its low height contributed to a low center of gravity. Measuring about 3.9 meters (around 154 inches) in length, it was smaller than many contemporaries, emphasizing its focus on driving agility over sheer size or luxury. The Vallelunga holds a special place in the history of De Tomaso as a precursor to more famous models like the Mangusta and Pantera, demonstrating early ambition to compete with established Italian sports car marques. Today, it remains an appreciated collector’s car due to its rarity and distinctive engineering approach, combining mid-1960s innovation with Italian design prowess. Enthusiasts value the Vallelunga for its historical significance as well as its pure driving feel, making it a gem in the world of vintage Italian coupes.
Discover the standout features that make the 1963 De Tomaso Vallelunga a leader in its class
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The De Tomaso Vallelunga from the 1964-1968 production period is a compact sports coupe with a length of approximately 3930 mm (154.7 inches), width of about 1670 mm (65.7 inches), and a low height near 1100 mm (43.3 inches). These dimensions contribute to its sleek and aerodynamic design, making it smaller and lighter than many contemporary sports cars of its time. Its compact size enhances handling and agility, characteristics valued in race-inspired cars of the 1960s.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga is notably lightweight for a sports coupe from the 1960s, with an approximate curb weight near 740 kg (1631 lbs). This low weight is due to its innovative use of a steel backbone chassis combined with lightweight aluminum body panels. Compared to other sports cars of its era, which often weighed upward of 900 kg (1984 lbs), the Vallelunga's weight contributes to its nimble handling and improved acceleration, making it highly competitive on both road and track.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga has a wheelbase measuring approximately 2280 mm (89.8 inches). This relatively short wheelbase plays a critical role in the car's agile handling characteristics. A shorter wheelbase typically allows quicker cornering and easier maneuverability, which aligns well with the Vallelunga's design as a lightweight sports coupe. However, it may result in a slightly choppier ride on rough roads, prioritizing performance over comfort.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga is a strictly two-seater coupe designed primarily for sporty driving. The interior is compact, optimized for the driver and passenger with minimal rear or additional seating space. While exact passenger cabin dimensions are not widely documented, the low roofline (approximately 1100 mm or 43.3 inches in height) and the focus on a lightweight design make the interior snug, emphasizing driver engagement over spacious comfort.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga offers limited cargo space consistent with its sports car nature and compact size. Since the vehicle was designed as a performance-focused coupe with a mid-engine layout (the engine is placed behind the seats), the trunk space is minimal and mainly suitable for small luggage or essentials. Exact volume measurements are scarce, but the trunk space would typically be constrained compared to conventional sedans or grand touring coupes, prioritizing weight distribution and design compactness.
Yes, the De Tomaso Vallelunga easily fits into a modern standard garage. Typical modern garages have minimum dimensions of around 2400 mm (7.9 feet) in width and about 5400 mm (17.7 feet) in length. Given the Vallelunga's compact size — about 3930 mm (154.7 inches) long and 1670 mm (65.7 inches) wide — it leaves ample space for clearance. Its low height (approximately 1100 mm or 43.3 inches) also ensures it fits comfortably in most garage settings without any vertical clearance issues.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga was a pioneering model and did not have a direct predecessor within the De Tomaso lineup; it essentially paved the way for future De Tomaso sports cars. As such, it introduced innovative design features like a steel backbone chassis with aluminum panels, setting a new benchmark for lightness and agility. Because it was the first road-going De Tomaso model, its comparison lies more in its influence on successors rather than predecessors. The Vallelunga set a foundation with compact, lightweight, and driver-focused design that marked a departure from heavier grand tourers of the era.
Compared to sports coupes of the 1960s, such as the Lotus Elan or Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, the De Tomaso Vallelunga stands out with its particularly compact and lightweight construction. Its length of 3930 mm (154.7 inches) is slightly shorter than many contemporaries, and it features a narrower width at 1670 mm (65.7 inches). The very low height (~1100 mm or 43.3 inches) also contributes to a distinctive low-slung profile. These tight dimensions coupled with its advanced chassis design made it notably agile and nimble compared to bulkier, heavier Italian and British sports coupes of the period.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga was powered by a mid-mounted, four-cylinder Ford-derived engine, initially a 1.5-liter pushrod unit producing approximately 105 to 120 horsepower depending on the tuning and model year. This configuration was paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, emphasizing driver engagement and precision. The mid-engine layout was a technical innovation for De Tomaso at the time, delivering superior balance and handling characteristics. This powertrain setup suited the Vallelunga’s lightweight and compact platform, offering spirited performance without excess weight.
The De Tomaso Vallelunga features a compact fuel tank suited to its lightweight and performance-focused design, typically holding around 60 liters (15.85 US gallons). This capacity balances the need for reasonable driving range with minimizing weight and preserving the car's balanced weight distribution. Given the mid-engine packaging and the focus on racing and sporty driving dynamics, the fuel tank size reflects a compromise between endurance and agility, adequate for spirited drives and track use, though not designed for long-distance touring without frequent refueling.
