De Tomaso Sport 5000 classic cars for sale

Introduction and History of the De Tomaso Sport 5000

Emerging from Modena in 1965, the De Tomaso Sport 5000 is the boldest expression of Alejandro de Tomaso’s ambition to conquer international motorsport. Conceived as a Grand Tourer but adapted into a sports prototype, the vehicle was constructed atop the basis of the earlier P70 project, with technical input from Carroll Shelby and a body designed by Pete Brock, executed by Medardo Fantuzzi. Though fifty units were planned, only one Sport 5000 was ever built, debuting at the Turin Motor Show in November 1965 and entering competitive action at the 1966 Mugello 500 km—the sole race for this chassis. The car’s development and brief career symbolise the rare confluence of American horsepower and Italian artistry found in 1960s sport prototypes.

Model History

The Sport 5000 follows the pioneering De Tomaso P70, sharing the same backbone steel chassis but with a significant evolution in bodywork and competitive specification. Unlike its predecessor, which saw limited traction, the Sport 5000 was explicitly developed for international long-distance and Can-Am-type racing, with intended drivers Pierre Noblet and Umberto Maglioli. Though its planned outings at Sebring and Le Mans did not materialise, the car stands as a unique technical progression. No direct successor followed—the car remains a singular artefact, highlighting De Tomaso’s brief foray into top-tier sports prototypes.

Highlights of the De Tomaso Sport 5000

What sets the Sport 5000 apart are its ultra-rare status as a one-off, its innovative use of a Ford-supplied and Shelby-tuned 289 cui V8 as a load-bearing component, and a lightweight steel backbone frame complemented by a Colotti five-speed transaxle. Pete Brock's striking aerodynamic body, originally featuring a remote-adjustable rear wing, typifies purposeful 1960s design. FIA-homologation features—like an upright windscreen with wiper and practical side doors—enabled eligibility for prominent international events. As the only example ever built, the Sport 5000 boasts a motorsport pedigree that includes both its factory race debut and eligibility for historic races like Goodwood Revival and Monterey Historics.

Technical Data

Special Editions and Collectible Models

As a one-of-one production, the De Tomaso Sport 5000 is itself a singular special model. Its unique history, international collaborations, and documented participation in the 1966 Mugello 500 km distinguish it as a landmark in both De Tomaso and Italian motorsport history. There are no alternate versions or successors—this car is the sole specimen.

Weak Spots and Common Issues

There is no data on recurring technical weaknesses, owing to the unique nature of this prototype. Any consideration of maintenance or restoration will require meticulous, bespoke craftsmanship and likely involve international sourcing of components, principally owing to its combination of US powertrain and Italian chassis/bodywork elements.

Engine and Performance, Transmission and Handling

Shelby’s preparation of the Ford 289 V8 ensured competitive power output, while the motor’s stressed installation and the steel-backbone chassis delivered excellent torsional stability and handling potential. The Colotti transaxle provided robust shifting for endurance racing. Race-tuned suspension and a lightweight aerodynamic body gave the car adaptability for high-speed circuits. While its only actual race was the 1966 Mugello 500 km, the chassis and specification were suitable for participation in prestigious endurance races of the era. As the only De Tomaso Sport 5000 ever produced, this is the highlighted model in itself—technical highlights include the Shelby 289 V8, steel backbone chassis, and Colotti transaxle.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

Pete Brock’s design for the exterior was pure function—a low, aggressive stance, pronounced rear haunches, and a high windscreen for FIA compliance. Originally, the car featured a remote-adjustable rear wing, later neutralised according to regulations. Medardo Fantuzzi’s craftsmanship brought Brock’s lines to life, with a racing-leather interior and practical details for endurance events. The vehicle featured conventional doors rather than gullwings, adapted for FIA sports car class. Its hand-formed aluminium bodywork and period-specific paint colours make it unmistakably 1960s Italian in appearance.

Other Relevant Features

The Sport 5000 is eligible for almost every significant historic motorsport event worldwide, from Goodwood Revival to Monterey Historics and the Silverstone Classic, owing to its period provenance and documented racing history. Its combination of American mechanicals with Italian design craftsmanship stands as a case study of international collaboration in motorsport.

Summary

With just a single prototype ever completed, the De Tomaso Sport 5000 embodies the intersection of American racing muscle and hand-built Italian engineering. Conceived for global endurance competition but realised as a singular work of automotive art, its rarity, technical sophistication, and documented event history present an irreplaceable opportunity for collectors seeking a historic 1960s racecar with unmatched provenance.