The long-awaited De Tomaso P72 supercar has officially arrived in production-ready form, and it’s turning heads not just with its sculpted retro design and $2.1 million price tag, but with an equally unique start-up sequence that honors the analog spirit of classic motoring.
Unveiled as a concept at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the P72 has since endured a lengthy development cycle. Initially targeted for a 2020 production launch, delays pushed deliveries to late 2025. Now, with all 72 build slots sold out, the boutique automaker has begun showcasing what makes this ultra-rare model unlike anything else on the market.
Inspired by the 1965 De Tomaso P70, the P72 blends vintage motorsport aesthetics with modern engineering. Its dramatic bodywork, open linkage manual shifter, and jewel-like analog gauges are a throwback to the golden era of endurance racing. Inside, drivers won’t find digital displays or touchscreens. Instead, the cabin is centered entirely around mechanical interfaces and sensory connection.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the car’s three-step ignition ritual. To fire up the P72, drivers must:
- Insert the leather-trimmed key fob into a special recess at the top of the exposed shifter and push down.
- Remove the key and place it into a traditional slot located on the steering column.
- Press the engine start button, finally bringing the car to life.
The ritual is intentionally theatrical—designed to immerse the driver in the experience rather than rush it. It’s a philosophy that permeates the car’s overall design, from its exposed mechanical components to its handcrafted cabin.
While performance specs remain closely guarded, the P72 is expected to deliver serious power through a rear-wheel-drive, mid-engine layout.
With only 72 units slated for production, the De Tomaso P72 stands as a rare fusion of art, nostalgia, and engineering, delivering not just exclusivity, but an entirely unique relationship between car and driver.
Eve Nowell