Tales of the Forgotten Zonda: A Lost Concept in Automotive History

Forgotten ONES - Amid the glimmering lights and excited crowds of the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, a car appeared that seemed to come from the future. Its sleek lines, sharp profile, and enigmatic presence drew attention, yet history would soon tuck it away into obscurity. This was the De Tomaso Zonda Concept—a machine that promised both style and power but would ultimately vanish, leaving only whispers of its existence.

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept is designed by Tom Tjaarda of Carrozzeria Ghia (although the first sketch was done by Giullia Moselli ex. Italdesign). (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)

Born from the collaboration of Carrozzeria Ghia and the visionary designer Tom Tjaarda, based on an initial sketch by Giullia Moselli of Italdesign, the Zonda was more than a concept—it was a glimpse into what Italian automotive creativity could achieve when paired with ambition.

Its name, “Zonda,” evoked the hot winds that sweep across Argentina’s Andes Mountains, a poetic nod to the shared roots of Alejandro De Tomaso and Horacio Pagani. Decades later, Pagani would carry the name into automotive legend, but in 1971, it belonged to this singular, mysterious prototype.

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept was made its first debut at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Zwischengas)

The car was designed with the American market in mind, intended to complement the De Tomaso Pantera in Lincoln-Mercury showrooms. This plan reflected the ambition of De Tomaso to merge Italian style with American accessibility.  

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept is built on the DeTomaso Deauville fancy coupe platform with a short wheelbase. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)

Ford’s majority ownership of De Tomaso at the time made this strategy possible. With American industrial support backing Italian design, the Zonda represented a unique collaboration between two continents, aiming to bring European elegance to the streets of the United States.

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept featured with a 'fast' roofline ending in a neat, sloping tail and also had lots of glass, and neat chrome bumpers and detailings. (Picture from: CurbSideClassic)

Beneath its sleek, flowing exterior, the Zonda housed a 351ci V8 engine sourced from Ford’s Cleveland lineup. This engine delivered 350 horsepower, promising a performance that could stand alongside the era’s most respected grand tourers.

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept appears to be a pure two-seater, although it might have had some very tiny 2+2 seats in back. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

The engine was mounted on a shortened wheelbase borrowed from the De Tomaso Deauville coupe. This platform provided a compact but balanced structure, enhancing handling and giving the car a poised, athletic stance on the road, and promising performance that rivaled contemporaries like the Ferrari Daytona and Lamborghini Jarama. 

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept is powered by a 350hp 351ci V8 front-mounted engine taken from Ford Cleveland. (Picture from: PerformanceFord)

Visually, the Zonda evoked comparisons to the Maserati Ghibli, sharing a fastback roofline, pop-up headlights, and a streamlined silhouette created a streamlined, futuristic profile, while curves and angles flowed smoothly to form a cohesive and elegant silhouette.

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept rode on a 99.5-inch wheelbase, and was 176 inches long. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)

The car measured 176 inches in length with a 99.5-inch wheelbase, presenting itself as a pure two-seater, like the Ferrari Daytona. However, it might have included tiny 2+2 seating in the rear, offering a hint of versatility without compromising the car’s sporty character.

The De Tomaso Zonda Concept carries GT (GranTurismo) typical styles with rear deck was a hatchback. (Picture from: PerformanceFord)

A hatchback rear deck added an element of practicality to the design. This subtle feature blended functionality with the Zonda’s unmistakable allure, making it a concept car that could impress both visually and mechanically.

The last appearance of De Tomaso Zonda Concept was repainted in red by Ford before it dissappeared. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)

Yet ambition alone could not secure its fate. Ford deemed the projected $14,000 price too low to be profitable for the American market. With funding and production halted, the Zonda remained a one-off prototype. Over time, its trail grew cold—rumors suggest it was repainted red before disappearing completely, leaving behind only photographs, sketches, and the story of what might have been. 👉Unfortunately, no video of the De Tomaso Zonda exists, so the video shown below features the De Tomaso P72 instead.🙏

Today, the De Tomaso Zonda stands as a fascinating footnote in automotive history. Though overshadowed by the later Pagani Zonda, it embodies a moment when design, engineering, and international collaboration converged in a single, fleeting creation. Its legacy lives not in showrooms or on roads but in imagination—a reminder of the bold ideas that shape automotive dreams, even when reality keeps them out of reach.😎 *** [EKA [30082022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES [20072022] | PERFORMANCE.FORD | DRIVR.BE | OLDCONCEPTCARS | CLASSICCARS.FANDOM | LOTUSESPRITTURBO ]

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