1978 DeTomaso Longchamp GTS
(THLCPN03001)
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Well, we ended up selling the Longchamp. But I've left the history and info as I know it here. The car is now in Michigan with a new owner and he says he's enjoying it!
In addition to #3001 (which you'll see more about below), I have some links and pictures from other Longchamp owners.
Lars Holgersson has a white Longchamp GTS also which he runs at ralleyes in Australia. Lars sent me several pictures of his car that were taken during the Australian Indycar Rally.
And, for those who like real mean Longchamps, here's John Attard's turbocharged, EFI and nitrous equipped Longchamp!
And Josep-Lluis Aguiló sent me pictures of his recently restored Longchamp. I think he's quite right to be proud considering what he started with!
As for #3001....
Back in 1987, my wife and I attended one of the CECA (Colorado
Exotic Car Association) events in Aspen, Colorado with my Pantera. There was an
absolutely stunning Longchamp GTS convertible there
which a doctor's wife owned. My wife fell in love with it and has been talking
Longchamp ever since.
Trouble is, there aren't a lot of Longchamps around (a total of 410 or so made) and only 5 Spyders in the whole world. When I found out about a GTS for sale in South Carolina, we jumped in the Explorer we had then and drove 1900 miles over the Fourth of July weekend and picked up the car. Drove it back the entire way without a single problem. I was surprised at the amount of comments and looks we got on the way back......
More pictures of #3001 are available.
Original pictures of the car as purchased have been moved.
1978 - Mrs. DeTomaso's personal car until 1982. The previous owner passed
this info on to me and a confirmation was received from Matt Stone.
See the info from Matt.
(I think Matt means he visited Kirk in 1984 and 1985.....)
1982 - Rebuilt and converted to GTS by the factory, then shipped to Kirk Evans
in Ohio.
1987 - Sold to Al Morris in Pickens, South Carolina when Kirk went out of business.
Al Morris also had a Deauville for sale at the time, but it's been sold and is
now in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
1997 - Purchased from Al Morris on July 5th, 1997. It had 23,500 actual kilometers on
the odometer when purchased.
The car has the 'Quattroporte' leather interior, the
A/C system has an updated condensor and rotary compressor. The steering rack was
replaced last year.
The wheels are three piece Campagnolo copies. Both the front and back are 10"
wide, but the rears are offset another 1/2" to the outside of the car.
The car had not been driven very much in the last 10 years, so I've had to
do the following over the last month.
- Welded and trued up the exhaust manifolds plus new gaskets
- New custom built exhaust system from transmission area all the way back
(Glass packs and Ansas at the rear; same as before)
- Changed automatic transmission fluid and filter, flushed brake fluid
- New tires (BFG T/A's; 245/50 front and 265/50 rear; the 305's were too big!)
- New shocks and springs from Wilkinson plus alignment
- Replace the gas tank switch in the dash
First 'event' was the August 9th visit to the local Space City Pantera meeting
at Dirty's restaurant.
September 7 - Attended the annual Italian Concours event at the Dallas Southfork
ranch. A total of 10 Panteras plus the Longchamp were there. The car generated
LOTS of interest!
1998 - 4-5 May 98 - 'Classic Wheels and Wooden Keels' car show. Our class consisted of four
Panteras, the Longchamp, a Mangusta and an Iso Grifo
August - Car up for sale. $27,500
My wife decided she was too worried about driving it around Houston
30 Oct 98 - Damage to left front fender and hood during an accident
2000 - Replaced the Campagnolo copies which were cracked with the real thing.
8" front Campagnolo, 10" rear Campagnolo
Damage repaired and car repainted.
Had some requests for some more pictures of various parts of the car.
Some better pictures of the interior, along with the engine bay, trunk, etc.
Have a look! 2001 - January - Posted the car on eBay. Reserve not met. No sale. 2002 - 13 May - Sold