Wolf in Kevlar clothing is De Tomaso’s answer to McLaren F1

De Tomaso may not have enjoyed the success of fellow Italian marques Ferrari or Maserati, but its founder Alejandro de Tomaso certainly had a knack for choosing model names – after all, who wouldn’t want to own a car called Vallelunga, Mangusta or Pantera?

Or what about a Guarà? Named after a South American canine (aka maned wolf), the Guarà was De Tomaso’s swansong model and was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993, making it a contemporary of the McLaren F1 that had entered production the previous year.

The Guarà was certainly no competitor to the McLaren, but it did offer some interesting similarities: rear, mid-mounted BMW V8 power, a composite body incorporating Kevlar and glass fibre, and several race-inspired features, such as F1-style inboard suspension and Brembo brakes derived from the Ferrari F40.
Its aluminium, backbone chassis and independent, double wishbone suspension were developed with the help of Argentinian grand prix engineer Enrique Scalabroni who worked with Dallara, Lotus and Williams, to name but a few…

The Guarà’s distinctive body – which from some angles seems to combine elements of Ferrari, Jaguar, Corvette, Lotus Elan and Toyota MR2 – was penned by Carlo Gaino of Synthesis Design and made the 1200kg car slippery enough to enable its 279bhp to push it to more than 170mph.
A nicely trimmed interior, meanwhile, belied the fact that there was no power assistance for the brakes or steering, with the latter and the pedal box being fully adjustable to suit the driver.

Throw in a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox and the Guarà is starting to sound exactly like the type of analogue sports car that many modern-day driving enthusiasts are mourning the loss of.

And if you’re among them, this Guarà merits a closer look.

Of the 21 examples of the coupé version built (there were 52 in total, including roadster and barchetta variants) most had Ford engines – with the one on offer being among the mere eight to get the far more desirable BMW 4-litre M60 V8.

It wasn’t registered for the road until five years after it left the De Tomaso factory, originally being acquired by a Belgian enthusiast who is believed to have kept it for around 20 years before it came up for sale and was exported to the US, where it was acquired by the current owner from a New Jersey dealer.

Finished in its original silver paint and with nicely preserved blue leather trim, it has covered a paltry 1600 miles and could well be the best Guarà in existence.
In our opinion, however, it would be even better if someone got behind the wheel and clocked-up a few enthusiastic miles in a car that is renowned for its superb (although same say ‘nervous’) handling and rewarding driving experience.

And it’s rarer than a McLaren F1 and a fraction of the price to boot. Speaking of which – there isn’t one. You’ll have to put your luggage on the passenger seat. Or in the occupant’.

1996 De Tomaso Guarà 
On sale with HK Motorcars, New York, US. £POA. hkmotorcars.com

Nothing says sorry quite like a 280 SL

● Let’s say it’s the 1960s and you’re a two-time winner of the British Saloon Car Championship. You’ve spent far too much time away from home and you want to say sorry to the wife. This automatic 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, inset, was Jack Sears’ apology to the missus. Now on sale at sl shop in Stratford-upon-Avon, it’s “as-new from badge to boot”. £199,995.

● Showrooms still matter, according to research by Market Delivery. The automotive marketing software firm asked 1000 car owners to respond to the question: “When I next shop for a new vehicle, I would prefer not to visit a showroom.” Just 7% agreed; 56% disagreed. “It’s a positive signal for retailers that have a physical presence,” said director Charlotte Murray.
● Originally delivered to Hogan Racing in the US, this 1972 Lola T300, was raced by Brit driver David Hobbs in the ’72 L&M Continental 5000 Championship, with a first outing at Laguna Seca in May. It’s on sale with Klasiko in Malmesbury, Wiltshire for a rather reasonable £64,995 – and comes with spares.

● UK motor trade association SMMT gave a strong reaction after the Budget’s announcement of a 3p-a-mile charge for EVs from 2028, “We should be taking every opportunity to encourage drivers to make the switch to EVs, not punishing them,” said chief executive Mike Hawes.
● Gerry McGovern, chief designer behind Jaguar’s Type 00, might have parted ways with JLR but his divisive concept won a gong at online marketplace Carwow’s annual awards – for Most Talked About Car. LG