1983 De Tomaso Deauville

This series 2 Deauville was first registered on 20th September 1983. I purchased the car on 5th March 2012, becoming just the fourth owner. The odometer reads in kilometres, and it had 61, 880 kms (38, 675 miles) on it when purchased. It has 70, 203 kms (43, 876 miles) on it now. It’s one of around 20 right hand drive cars out of a reputed total of about 244 built between 1970 and 1986.

The Deauville’s all steel monocoque chassis was designed by Gian Paolo Dallara and it has independent suspension front and rear and ventilated disc brakes all round along with beautifully weighted power steering. It's powered by Ford’s 5763 cc V8 Cleveland engine mated to a three speed Ford C6 three-speed automatic gearbox. It’s got twin fuel tanks, Campagnolo alloy wheels, and a ruched leather interior. It even has a fitted set of inch-thick wool over-rugs from the factory, complete with leather insets.

When bought, the car was MOT’d (though it shouldn’t have been!) and drove, but on inspection it had myriad faults and spent the next year or so at De Tomaso specialists, Three-Point-Four, in Barnsley. The work was extensive, including going through the entire electrical system, re-building the engine including a crank-shaft re-grind, fuel tanks rebuilt, brakes refurbished, gearbox gone through, suspension, exhaust, steering, cooling system and air-conditioning system repaired and refreshed, and the body cleaned and waxoyled. All in all, a proper job with nothing left out. I have full details of all the work carried out – and of course, the bills which totalled more than £18, 000.

It’s highly original, and in really good condition for a 40-year-old car and, as such, it doesn’t need road tax, or should you wish, an MOT (although it will come with one). In my village there’s a garage that specialises in classic cars, which is where the car had around £2, 500 spent on it over the last year. This included a full service and a few glitches sorted including a carburettor rebuild, new tie-rod bushes, new starter motor and a new thermostat.

The car has been on display at the Silverstone Historic and at the NEC Classic Car Show several times and always attracts interest. In my opinion, the car drives beautifully and around 18 months ago, it featured in a video by Jack Pegoraro, on his “Number 27” YouTube channel. I think Jack gives a very fair view on the car – search YouTube for "number 27 Deauville".

I can e-mail a PDF of the history of the car during my ownership including invoices and I have the original guarantee, owner’s manual, parts book, and auction catalogue and press cuttings from when the car was auctioned in 2010 as the auction made the news back then.

I’m a serial De Tomaso owner, having previously owned a GT5 Pantera, Longchamp GTSE, two Deauvilles and even a Daihatsu Charade De Tomaso. Having had three Deauvilles, I am undoubtably biased, but these really do drive superbly and sound wonderful – a proper gentleman’s express. I’ve really enjoyed owning this car for the last twelve years, but it’s just not being driven enough, so it’s time someone else had the pleasure.