1983 De Tomaso Deauville Series 2 RHD

Highlights

• One of 20 RHD cars of which only 7 were Series 2 like this car
• Improved Series 2 car with better handling and refinement
• Under 44,000 miles from new
• Part of current marque enthusiast’s collection since 2012
• £18,000 recommissioning work by specialist Three Point Four
• Recent full service, carburettor rebuilt and suspension and cooling system work
• Believed to be one of only around 12 remaining in the UK
• Just four former registered keepers
• Current voluntary MOT valid to May 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

When Jaguar’s XJ hit the showroom, Alejandro De Tomaso and Lee Iaccocca became obsessed. With good reason, because the new car was as beautiful as it was brilliant. They resolved to grab some of its magic, and the result was the Tom Tjaarda-designed Deauville.

The new car so closely mirrors the XJ’s lines and layout that it’s a surprise Jaguar never sued. Tjaarda has argued that the original design predated the Jaguar but was tweaked to suit De Tomaso’s Jaguar focus, and there are rumours it began as a Ghia design study for Jaguar, but it hardly matters now. The XJ went on to sell 403,000 cars over three Series, while the hand-built, expensive DeTomaso mustered 244 customers over 14 years and two series. Of those, just 20 were built in RHD with seven being the revised Series 2 cars like this beautiful 1983 example.

The Series 2 cars were built from 1978 to 1985 and are considered to handle better and be more refined than the earlier cars. This was due to moving the rumbly 5.8L Ford Cleveland V8 back 10cm in the chassis and improving the power steering. They can be identified by the revised dashboard, ruched leather and air vents behind the front arches.

This 1983 car is chassis number 2148 and was originally supplied to Emilia Concessionaires and first registered in September 1983. It has been with its current marque-specialist keeper, the car’s fifth keeper, since March 2012. The car was sent to specialist Three Point Four for comprehensive recommissioning totalling £18,000, all supported by invoices in the history file. More recently, it has benefited from a full service, carburettor rebuild and a number of new components. Finished in smart black with red coachline and cream ruched leather, this is a fine example of one of Italy’s rarest and most interesting saloons.

Key Information

• Mileage: 70,557 km (approximately 43,842 miles) indicated
• Country of registration: United Kingdom
• Technical inspection status: Voluntary MOT valid until 20th May 2027 with no advisories
• Technical specs: 330bhp 5,763cc (351ci) Ford Cleveland V8, three-speed automatic
• Paperwork: History file including invoices for recommissioning works totalling circa £18,000

Recent work notified by seller:

• Service
• Carburettor rebuild and tune-up
• New tie-rod bushes
• New starter motor
• Replacement thermostat
• New ignition coil
• Replacement windscreen seal

The Detail

• Beautifully presented car in black with red coachline
• Paintwork presents very well in photos, with few signs of use for a car of this age
• Bodywork in good order with straight and well-kept panelwork
• Very smart Campagnolo magnesium wheels with Michelin XWX tyres fitted
• No structural advisories on MOT
• Cream leather interior looks barely used and is correct for a Series 2 car
• Ruched leather seats and door cards
• Interior fittings, including headlining, carpets and dashboard in good order
• Revised Series 2 interior similar to Jaguar XJ with light wood veneers
• Comprehensive recommissioning carried out by Three Point Four
• Recent servicing and other work detailed above
• Vendor states the car presents very well
• No advisories on MOT

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