Alessandro (Alejandro) De Tomaso was born in Buenos Aires into an influential political family. He became a racing driver, but left Argentina in a hurry after being involved in a plot to remove the then president, Juan Peron. He relocated to Modena where he continued racing for Osca, Maserati and Scuderia Centro Sud, before retiring and founding De Tomaso Automobili located on the Via Emilia, with the intention of building racing and road cars. I was first aware of him…

Photo: Pete Austin