The De Tomaso Mangusta is a sports coupé produced by the Italian-Argentine car manufacturer De Tomaso between 1967 and 1971. The name “Mongoose” comes from the animal known for its ability to defeat cobras, a direct reference to the cars Cobra in Carroll Shelby. This name symbolized Alejandro de Tomaso’s desire to compete with the American sports cars of the time.
Origins and historical context
After the success of Vallelunga, Alexander de Tomaso decided to develop a more powerful and sophisticated car. The Mangusta was born as an evolution of the P70 project, an initial collaboration with Carroll Shelby that was unsuccessful. Determined to continue, De Tomaso used the experience gained to create a car capable of competing with brands such as Ferrari e Lamborghini.
Design and technical features
The design of the Mangusta was entrusted to Giorgetto Giugiarothen under the Ghia body shop. The car featured sharp lines and a low profile, with a height of just 110 cm. One of the most distinctive features were the wingspan rear hoods, which revealed the mighty Ford V8 engine mounted in a central-rear position.
The Mangusta was available with two engines:
- For the European market, it had an engine Ford 289 4.7 liter V8capable of delivering approximately 306 HP.
- For the American market, it was equipped with an engine Ford 302 5.0 liter V8with a power of approximately 220 HP.
The transmission was entrusted to a 5-speed ZF manual gearboxwhile the single-beam aluminum frame guaranteed lightness and structural rigidity. The weight distribution, however, was unbalanced towards the rear, affecting the car’s handling.
Performance and driving dynamics
Thanks to the powerful V8 engine, the Mangusta was able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 6.5 secondsreaching a maximum speed of over 250 km/h. Despite the impressive performance, the weight distribution and rigid setup made driving challenging, especially at high speeds.
De Tomaso Mangusta, production and rarity
In total, approximately 401 examples of De Tomaso Mangusta were producedmaking it a rather rare and sought-after car by collectors. Today, its value on the classic car market can exceed 300,000 euros, depending on the condition and originality of the vehicle.
The De Tomaso Mangusta has left a significant mark on the automotive panorama of the 60s and 70s. Its combination of Italian design and American power influenced numerous subsequent cars. Furthermore, its name was revived in more recent years for the Qvale Mangusta, a roadster produced between 1999 and 2002, albeit with completely different characteristics and context.
Source: www.autoblog.it
