THE ULTIMATE THROWBACK: DE TOMASO P72 AND ANALOGUE NOSTALGIA
The De Tomaso P72 is one of the most extraordinary limited-edition supercars of the modern era: a hand-built, analogue masterpiece capped at 72 units worldwide, powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre V8, and driven through a six-speed manual gearbox at a time when every rival has abandoned the clutch pedal. Priced at 1.6 million euros, the P72 is as much a piece of automotive sculpture as it is a road car.
The P70 Legacy and De Tomaso's 60th Anniversary
De Tomaso was founded in 1959 by Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena, Italy. The company rose to prominence through its Pantera, Mangusta, and Vallelunga models, becoming a fixture in European supercar culture. The P72 was unveiled in 2019 to mark the brand's 60th anniversary and pays direct homage to the P70, a 1967 Le Mans sports racer co-developed with Carroll Shelby. Every curve, every proportion, and every material choice in the P72 deliberately echoes that racing heritage.
Powertrain: Supercharged V8 and Six-Speed Manual
The P72 is powered by a Ford-sourced supercharged 5.0-litre V8 producing 750 hp and 900 Nm of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. There is no paddle-shift option, no automatic mode, no alternative. The car is built around the premise that a great supercar should demand something of its driver. The carbon-fibre monocoque chassis is constructed to LMP1 endurance-racing standards, keeping weight in check while delivering the structural rigidity needed to exploit every one of those horsepower. According to Motor1, production of the first customer cars commenced in the second half of 2024 after final dynamic validation.
Interior: Analogue Nostalgia by Design
The P72's cabin is deliberately screen-free. No central infotainment display, no digital instrument cluster, no connectivity suite. Instead, the driver faces an aircraft-inspired panel of machined aluminium switches, analog dials, and hand-stitched leather. The encapsulating glass canopy creates panoramic visibility and a sensation of flying just above the road surface. It is a car designed to be felt, not administered. As Carscoops noted, the P72 represents a deliberate counter-argument to the screen-dominated supercars of the current decade.
Explore Coachbuilt and Limited-Edition Supercars at TheArsenale
If the P72 speaks to your appreciation for handcrafted, driver-focused supercars, explore the curated cars collection at TheArsenale. The Delage D12 F1-Inspired Hypercar and the Salaff C2 Coachbuilt Supercar offer a similar blend of racing pedigree and bespoke craftsmanship, while the Frangivento Asfane Diecidieci represents another Italian take on the artisanal hypercar. Each of these machines proves that the most extraordinary cars are built, not assembled.
Photo: De Tomaso Automobili
