De Tomaso Sport 5000

The De Tomaso Sport 5000, also known as the Ghia DeTomaso, the De Tomaso 70P or the De Tomaso P70, was a short-lived sports racing car built by De Tomaso in 1965. Fitted with a 289 cu in (4,736 cc) Ford V8 engine, the Sport 5000 was initially designed to be used as a Grand Tourer; however, only one car was ever built of the planned 50, meaning that it competed solely as a sports prototype in just one race, the 1966 Mugello Grand Prix. De Tomaso Sport 5000: At least ten cars were planned to be produced with the prospect of another forty were planned for later in order that it could meet the FIA’s homologation requirements for it to qualify in the GT class. Despite the good intentions this was the last the world ever saw of the V8 engined DeTomaso racer and this, the lone prototype was quietly retired to a corner of the factory where it would remain until de Tomaso’s death in 2004. With massive involvement from Carroll Shelby and his lead designer, the legendary Peter Brock, this design was as good looking as it was carefully engineered to give unparalleled performance. Many have guessed Shelby believed this new V8 engined DeTomaso could be a possible replacement for the aging Cooper based King Cobras. In any case, Shelby and Brock certainly took the project seriously putting an amazing amount effort and energy into the De Tomaso Sport 5000. Shelby asked Brock to pen a roadster body for the new DeTomaso racing car and the finished designs were sent to Italy to be turned into aluminum. Brock worked alongside Medardo Fantuzzi in the Fantuzzi workshop. The result was a aerodynamic low body, dominated by a large rear wing controlled by driver for variable aerodynamics and featuring full doors to make it eligible for GT racing. The Sport 5000’s name was derived after its 5-litre engine with light alloy cylinder and featuring full heads, pistons and connecting rods which along with four Weber carburetors, special cam, cam timing and ignition timing allowed the small-block Ford to produce up 475bhp at 7300rpm. In 1965 Shelby withdrew his backing of these projects due to mounting pressure from Ford corporate officials and his efforts were needed to turn the Ford GT40 into a Le Mans winner. With Shelby out of the picture, De Tomaso had to look for another backer. In coachbuilder Ghia he found an unlikely sponsor, which led to the car to be renamed to “Ghia De Tomaso” before the Turin debut. The De Tomaso Sport 5000 was officially completed on September 3rd. This itself is one of the more interesting ironies as it was actually built and bodied by Fantuzzi but upon completion was fitted with Ghia body badges still present to this day.