Basic Is Back: A Look at the De Tomaso P72’s Top Nostalgic Features

      De Tomaso

      Subscribe to The Drive’s daily newsletter

      Stay updated with the latest car news, reviews, and features.

      De Tomaso has re-emerged with a new production-ready supercar called the P72. It has garnered widespread admiration, and for good reason—it’s stunning. Additionally, it takes a traditional approach with a 700-horsepower, 605 lb-ft supercharged 5.0-liter cross-plane Ford Coyote V8, tuned by Roush, and paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

      Officially described as “a tribute to an era when man and machine moved in perfect harmony,” this remarkable, screen-free nod to nostalgia is decidedly analog in its features; one might even describe it as straightforward. However, in case you haven't noticed, straightforward is in vogue again. Here are four delightfully retro elements of the P72 that should make a return to performance vehicles beyond Italian carbon treasures.

      That Shifter

      While just having a manual transmission is already an analog triumph, De Tomaso took it a step further by featuring a shifter linkage that is fully and beautifully exposed.

      Granted, fellow bespoke Italian supercar manufacturer Pagani has featured similar shifters for some time, but that doesn’t diminish the elegance of the P72’s design. Additionally, the swooping, elaborately art deco brushed-bronze style of this shifter is something you won't find in the Paganis.

      You Still Twist a Key to Start It

      Unlike most performance cars produced after the S2000 and indeed, nearly all vehicles since around 2012, the P72 includes a push-button start. This is evident with the “START” button located in the center of a row of five buttons beneath the three analog gauges (more on those later). However, to the left of this button is an element not seen by many modern drivers for some time: a slot for a key.

      Top Gear had an opportunity to interact with this vehicle and described the start-up process:

      1. Insert the leather-lined key fob into the triangular recessed area behind the gear knob and press down.

      2. Place the physical key into the steering-column slot and twist.

      3. Press the START button.

      Is it unnecessary? Yes. Is it convoluted? Perhaps a little. Is it incredibly cool? Absolutely.

      Welcome Back, Datsun 240Z

      In another completely unnecessary yet purposeful design choice, the P72 dedicates significant dashboard space to three analog gauges that measure oil pressure, oil temperature, and battery voltage. This classic race car layout harks back to an era of endurance racing when monitoring these metrics was crucial.

      This design trickled into road-going performance cars in the '60s and remained common for a while, but today, it primarily serves a nostalgic purpose. The iconic Datsun 240Z featured a version of this layout, as did all subsequent Z models, including the latest iteration available at your local Nissan dealership.

      So, there’s one aspect the new Nissan Z shares with the De Tomaso P72.

      There Are No Drive Modes

      Popularized by brands like BMW and later embraced by nearly every new car, regardless of how commonplace, drive modes are surprisingly absent in the P72. While the push-rod suspension system does have manually adjustable dampers, that's the extent of the customization. There are no knobs or buttons to tweak throttle response, steering weight, or gauge aesthetics. You simply get in and drive.

      Based on its specifications alone, De Tomaso’s new creation appears to be a car you'll want to experience. It features a carbon unibody monocoque, a fully carbon exterior, and a hand-assembled Ford V8 with a header design inspired by the ’60s. The six-speed manual’s gear ratios are calibrated for enjoyable in-gear performance rather than ultimate speed.

      True to its name, only 72 units of this model will ever be produced, but with this and that electric truck everyone is buzzing about, basic has made a comeback, and it is hoped that brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini will soon follow suit.

      Do you have a tip or a question for the author regarding the P72? You can contact him here: [email protected]