>From Erik:
>While on the subject of Lotus / DeTomaso similarities, how about the
>DeTomaso Vallelunga?
I first saw one of those in Atlanta in 1969. It was on the lot of a local=
used
car dealer/criminal who will remain nameless here. Fell in love
immediately.
>I kid you not... This was a very elegant 1600lb. mid engine coupe using=
a
>backbone chassis, Ghia glassfibre bodywork, Ford Kent power (presumably
>116E sideflow, but not verified) and a Hewland Mark series transaxle.
This one also had two 40DCOEs and a header. I don't know if that was
original,
though.
>Anyone here ever driven one?
In 1974, I discovered that a person in Atlanta who I knew quite well (don=
't
want
to say "friend," didn't trust him enough) had bought the car I described
above.
We went for a quick ride in the car one spring afternoon, and I was
mightily
impressed. =
It was very loud, as there was not much of a partition between the
passenger
and engine compartments. And there really wasn't much headroom, even for
my 5' 10" frame. It had the expected immediacy of response to steering
throttle,
and brakes, and was an all-around blast.
I don't really think it needed a Twink. The one obvious advantage the
Vallelunga had over a Europa was a much smaller turning circle.
I may try to see if I can find out whatever happened to that car.
Jay Mitchell
70 S2 Europa
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