De Tomaso Deauville
The Deauville was Alejandro de Tomaso's answer to the Maserati Quattroporte and Jaguar XJ, a large luxury sedan that could comfortably seat five while delivering genuine sports car performance. Powered by Ford's 351 Cleveland V8 producing 330 horsepower, the Deauville could reach 143 mph and accelerate to 60 mph in under 8 seconds - remarkable for a full-size sedan in the early 1970s. The styling by Tom Tjaarda featured crisp lines and elegant proportions, with a hand-built interior featuring Connolly leather and burled walnut trim. Independent suspension at all four corners provided excellent handling for such a large car. Only about 244 examples were produced, making the Deauville extremely rare today.
Check the chassis number against the De Tomaso registry as few survive. Thoroughly inspect for rust, particularly in the floorpans, trunk, and door bottoms. Verify the Ford 351 Cleveland engine is original and runs properly. Test the automatic transmission through all gears - rebuilds are expensive. Examine the interior wood and leather for condition; replacements are nearly impossible. Ensure all electrical systems function including A/C if equipped. Look for complete service records. Budget for specialist maintenance as knowledge of these cars is rare. Values have been rising as collectors discover this rare sedan.