This 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta fell into sympathetic hands when it was sold 23 years ago to the current owner. He has pampered this worthy beast at every turn, giving it whatever it needed and more. For instance, while the blue lacquer paint was good enough at the time of acquisition, a bump on the hood in the mechanic’s shop prompted not just a repair, but a glass-out paint job. Flaunting a long list of maintenance/improvement/and repair activities, the Mangusta is ready for a new owner. It’s listed here on eBay for $375,000, and it’s located in La Verne, California. Curvette – thanks, as always, for the great tip!
De Tomaso produced only 401 Mangustas from 1967 through 1971; estimates suggest that just over half of those survive. Early examples were propelled by a Ford 289 cu. in. V8 installed just in front of the rear axle; later, De Tomaso swapped to the venerable 302 V8. This one retains its 302, rebuilt and upgraded in 2006. A five-speed, gated-shift ZF transaxle handles gear changes, while braking is courtesy of Girling discs at all four corners. The seller installed an aluminum radiator and an electric fan to cope with the enormous heat generated by the mid-engine configuration. The driving video embedded in the listing suggests that the car runs and drives very well. Notably, reviewers at the time indicated that the car was squirrelly at high speeds thanks to a 68% rear/32% front weight distribution and its flexible backbone chassis construction. However, owners often refute that claim, suggesting that drivers who broke the car loose were driving carelessly. Tellingly, very few Mangustas ever raced.
This example has been reupholstered from stem to stern, incorporating a color change from black to red. This work was completed twenty years ago, but it remains fresh. The “mouse fur” dash is still fluffy! The roster of work includes the tiniest of details – a rebuilt factory clock, which now works well, and a similarly rebuilt Blaupunkt cassette stereo, also working well. The passenger’s side door wasn’t closing correctly, so the owner removed the door and custom-manufactured replacement hinges. That’s the kind of owner I’d like to buy from.
Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the Mangusta while he worked at Ghia. The beautiful lines foreshadowed the Pantera – a much improved and consequently more successful attempt at a sports car. But the Mangusta stands alone, attaining prices in the marketplace that the Pantera has yet to approach. Maybe it’s the gullwing doors over the engine bay, maybe it’s the rarity, maybe it’s the low-volume import exemptions that allowed those low-set headlamps and no bumpers. Whatever is the secret sauce, the asking price here is close to fair, judging by other recent sales.
Me gusta
Undoubtably, one of my halo cars that I’ll never afford. Just a timeless design.
Same. Love the shape, and the colour of this one is just beautiful. I recall seeing video of a guy racing one of these, with big flared fenders, in approximately the same shade of blue.
This:
“I am selling this beautiful 1969 DeTomaso Mangusta on behalf of its owner, a friend and a neighbor.”
would give me pause, even if I had the coin to pursue it.
I think anyone interested in this car is going to show up in person to meet the friend/owner/seller/consignor, the car, and maybe even the mechanic. That’s what I would do, to help offset the uncertainty inherent in this kind of transaction.
Many, many years ago i looked at one on a car lot, it was $11k, i do not think i even had $11 dollars on me. If you can handle the red interior, this might sell at that price.
Have always loved these and the Pantera, flawed but beautiful and exciting cars with an American V8 sound track.
I would not be able to choose between the Mangusta and the Pantera GT5-S, if I was given such a choice.
With 68% of weight on the rear axle…with street tires…and swingarms…on the street…I get why the attrition rate is 50%.
Worse than a 911 of the time LOL. The pendulum effect in corners would be thrilling, for a split second. There must be a lot of frame metal back there, or maybe none up front.
Still a beautiful car to behold.
Damn.
I Love it, More than that, it gets me excited to know I want to get my 63 MGB roadster out of storage, it’s that time of the year. (:-)
Go for a cruise!!!
I would get it just for the name . Say it with me, Mangusta. The handling sounds a little scary.
I was a bigger fan of the Mangustas than the Panteras – the lines seemed smoother and the car is outright sexy! Yes, they were temperamental (most Italian supercars were!), but the looks are beautiful! At least you have a Ford block in it that parts are still available for. As for the handling, here’s a tip – don’t drive stupidly in this car or you will pay a heavy toll!
nice
Looks like GM racing mirrors – released a year before available in the US.
Not sure how a car without a front bumper could be sold – anywhere.
Surprising the door vent windows do not swing open – for ’69.
An inspiration for ’70-73 firebird tailights – or vice-versa?
I was not expecting only 4 lug nuts/wheel.
After all that work and money the owner only drove it 6,000 miles?
Such a shame…
The owner is probably a serious car guy and owns several. It sounds like he was the caretaker here.
I’ll bet he smiled every one if those 6000 miles.
Just add a blower and it could pass for an Italian Mad Max.
Love the looks of these cars! Cool design!
Fun fact: these Mangustas (Translate: Mongoose.) were designed to hunt after Shelby Cobras after a failed collaboration with Carroll Shelby. Doubtful they would have been competitive against the 289 Cobras on the European tracks.
With the tire set up, these look like drag cars which is cool but with only a 302 in it, it would not have been that competitive there either unless bracket racing but doubt one would use one of these for bracket racing.
Still love the overall concept of this car and the looks!
I’d guess that these were intended to be gentlemen sports cars from the get go. The whole layout and look were no conducive to racing, but it was a dramatic departure from the “bulbous fender” of the Dino and Alfas and others prior. The wedge front end.
Of course, this spawned the Pantera, but also many others. A case could be made that these influenced a whole series of cars, like the Bora, the 928, the Esprit, and even the original Countach.
Probably one of the more significant car designs of all time.
I’ve loved the looks ever since I saw a Hot Wheels or Matchbox toy car. Wasn’t aware of it’s handling woes at that age.
There’s one with a SBC, owned by a GM stylist at that time. It’s mentioned on the Dean’s Garage site.