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.
Undoubtably, one of my halo cars that I’ll never afford. Just a timeless design.
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.