Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare and highly collectible Australian delivered, factory right hand drive De Tomaso Longchamp GTS Spyder.

The De Tomaso Longchamp is a rare car in any form, with just 409 examples understood to have been built, comprising 395 Coupes and only 14 Spyders. Of those 14 Spyders, it is understood that approximately half were built to the more desirable GTS specification and just four were factory right hand drive GTS Spyders. This particular car is one of those four and remarkably it was built specifically for the Australian market. With its original factory build sheets, extensive period correspondence and documentation from Carrozzeria Pavesi still on file, this is an exceptionally rare De Tomaso with outstanding provenance and a fascinating Australian connection.

The documentation confirms the car was ordered by Automobili De Tomaso (AUST) Pty Ltd of Haberfield, New South Wales on the 2nd October 1980 and subsequently shipped to Australia on the 8th June 1981. It was ordered in Rosso Fuoco (Fire Red) with a beige leather interior and black soft top.

Interestingly, the build documentation also confirms the car was destined for Australia without an engine. By this time De Tomaso was sourcing its Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engines from Australia, giving this already exotic Italian grand tourer a particularly interesting Australian flavour.

The history file also contains important original documentation from Carrozzeria Ernesto Pavesi in Milan, which identifies the chassis number and records Pavesis work on the car. The Longchamp was converted to Spyder configuration, which included strengthening the body and installing an electrically operated soft top. An original Pavesi invoice dated the 21st May 1981 confirms the work was completed shortly before the car was shipped to Australia. Further documentation from Carrozzeria Campana records work to transform the car to GTS specification.

This De Tomaso Longchamp GTS Spyder was specially ordered for Australian De Tomaso importer Ken Mathews and there is extensive correspondence on file between Mathews and the De Tomaso factory dating from the time the car was ordered.

Adding further to the cars provenance, it appeared on the cover of a period De Tomaso Australia Pty Ltd brochure and was later the subject of a feature article in the September 2002 issue of Australian Classic Car (ACC) magazine. At the time of the ACC article, the car was owned by well-known Blue Oval enthusiast and owner of Ford Muscle Parts, Bob Matic.

The ACC article provides some interesting insight into the cars earlier history. Matic purchased the Longchamp GTS Spyder circa 1998 and recalled that he had first heard about the car approximately four years earlier. He understood there had been a lady owner before him and possibly only one owner prior to her.

It is understood Matic subsequently sold the car to a private collector in Melbourne, who kept the car in his garage alongside a De Tomaso Pantera GT5, but apparently never used it.

The current owner acquired the car approximately five years ago and had it recommissioned shortly thereafter. The car has been used sparingly over the past five years and at the time of our photography, the odometer was showing 82,974 km.

When featured in ACC, the Longchamp was fitted with aftermarket alloy wheels. These have subsequently been removed and the car is now fitted with the correct style Campagnolo alloy wheels, which are such a distinctive feature of the GTS. They are shod with Nankang tyres, 225/50R15 at the front and substantial 295/50R15 tyres at the rear. Combined with the dramatically flared wheel arches, the wheels give the GTS a muscular and purposeful stance.

The ACC article confirms that Matic had the car repainted soon after acquiring it. The paintwork is therefore approaching 30 years old, but it has stood the test of time remarkably well. It remains in excellent condition with a strong depth of colour and a deep gloss finish.

There are, of course, a few minor imperfections consistent with the age of the paint. The most noticeable is some light gravel rash around the lower section of the rear wheel arch flares. Fortunately, this is right at the bottom of the flares and is not particularly noticeable when walking around the car.

Panel fit can sometimes be an issue with low-volume, coachbuilt convertibles, but the panel gaps on this car are very good. Importantly, the doors have not sagged and they continue to open and close with a reassuringly solid thud.

The headlights and front indicators are all in good condition. The tail light lenses also present well, although on close inspection there is some evidence of the retaining screws having been overtightened around the reverse light sections on both sides. The bumpers, exterior trim and badges are all in good condition.

The electrically operated black soft top opens and closes at the push of a button. It remains in excellent condition and operates as it should. Even the rear window, which can often deteriorate or discolour with age on a convertible, remains clear and in good condition.

Open the door and you are greeted by a wonderfully period Italian interior. It appears to retain much of its original trim and presents very well, displaying a light patina consistent with the cars age and mileage.

The beige leather seats are comfortable and provide plenty of support. They remain in good condition with no significant rips or tears, while the rear seats appear to have seen very little use. The door cards are also in good condition and the timber inserts complement the extensive timber veneer used throughout the dashboard and centre console. The dashboard of a Longchamp is quite a sight. It is luxurious, purposeful and unmistakably Italian. Extensive timber veneer is complemented by an impressive array of Veglia instrumentation, auxiliary gauges and switches, including a wonderfully period 300 km/h speedometer. Everything is logically positioned and the gauges are clearly visible from the drivers seat.

On our recent test drive all the instruments appeared to be in good working order. Overall, the dashboard presents well, although we did notice that the plastic cover for the DEF warning light is missing and there is a small crack in the veneer adjacent to the radio.

The boot is clean, tidy and neatly carpeted and considering the Longchamps conversion to a Spyder, offers a surprisingly useful amount of luggage space.

The engine bay presents well and houses one of the most interesting aspects of this particular Longchamp its Australian-built Ford 351 Cleveland V8. The engine is topped by a large chrome air cleaner and De Tomaso-branded finned rocker covers, making for an appropriately purposeful presentation.

According to the ACC article, Matic decided to rebuild the engine after acquiring the car. Although it was running, he wanted to ensure its reliability. The engine was subsequently removed and fitted with new pistons, rings and bearings. The crankshaft was reground and the cylinder heads were ported and polished.

After spending time admiring the Longchamps dramatic exterior and wonderfully period interior, there is really only one question left to answer . . . how does it drive?

We make ourselves comfortable behind the steering wheel, insert the key into the ignition and fire up the big Cleveland V8. First impressions are good. The engine starts easily and quickly settles into a smooth idle.

It might seem unusual to hear the unmistakable rumble of an Australian-built Ford V8 from behind the wheel of an exotic Italian grand tourer, but somehow it works perfectly. In fact, it is a large part of the Longchamps character. This is very much an Italian grand tourer with an Australian muscle car heart.

Foot on the brake, select drive on the automatic transmission and away we go.

It doesnt take long to feel comfortable behind the wheel. There is plenty of power on tap from the 351 Cleveland and the car responds eagerly to the throttle. It is an incredibly easy car to drive and very quickly encourages you to keep going.

On this sunny Brisbane afternoon there is only one way to enjoy the car, so the roof is down. Even with the top lowered, the Longchamp is remarkably civilised. Wind buffeting is relatively subdued and it is easy to have a conversation with your passenger.

That changes rather quickly when the opportunity presents itself and you give the throttle a firm push. The big Cleveland V8 immediately makes its presence known, the exhaust note hardens and the Longchamp surges forward. It is a wonderful combination of Italian grand touring sophistication and old school V8 muscle.

The Longchamp is not a small car, yet from behind the wheel it feels surprisingly compact. The power assisted steering is another pleasant surprise. You might expect it to feel heavy, but it doesnt. The steering is precise and has just the right amount of feel. The car steers, handles and stops very well.

All too quickly our test drive comes to an end and it is time to return this rather special De Tomaso to our showroom.

As can be seen in the photographs, the car has been lowered slightly at the front, which was most likely done during Matics ownership. Our preference would be to return the car to its original ride height, though ultimately that decision will be for its next owner.

The car has recently been serviced and detailed and as a result it is ready for its next owner to show, use and enjoy.

The De Tomaso Longchamp has always been an unusual and intriguing alternative to the more obvious Italian grand tourers of its era. The GTS Spyder takes that exclusivity to another level.

This particular car is even more special. It combines an exceptionally rare specification with factory right hand drive, Australian delivery, fascinating provenance and an extensive history file that includes its original build sheets, Carrozzeria Pavesi documentation and period correspondence. Its appearance on a period De Tomaso Australia brochure and subsequent feature in Australian Classic Car only add to its story.

An Italian grand tourer powered by an Australian-built 351 Cleveland V8, this De Tomaso Longchamp GTS Spyder is something special and unquestionably one of the more unique and exciting cars we have offered for sale in some time.

Highlights

- Exceptionally rare car: one of only 14 Longchamp Spyders built and one of just four factory right hand drive GTS Spyders.
- Australian delivered and specially ordered for Australian De Tomaso importer Ken Mathews.
- Outstanding provenance, including the original factory build sheets & period documentation.
- Australian-built Ford 351 Cleveland V8.
- Featured on the cover of a period De Tomaso Australia Pty Ltd brochure and the September 2002 issue of Australian Classic Car
- Well presented and ready to be used and enjoyed.

Price $209,950.