1971 De Tomaso Mangusta
RM Sotheby's continues its online sales from June 3 to June 11 with The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection which replaces the Essen auction. I like to browse the different lots to see the cars offered but above all to find unique models that I don't know or very little.
And with this beautiful 1971 De Tomaso Mangusta it's the case. I know the automaker but more for the Pantera than the Mangusta.
The De Tomaso Mangusta has an estimated price between € 200,000 and € 250,000. On this morning of June 5, there are 12 auctions for an amount of € 200,000.
1991 DeTomaso Pantera 90 Si, sold for $US 240,800 last year through RM Sotheby's (source)
History of De Tomaso Mangusta
De Tomaso was an Italian car company founded by Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena (Italy) in 1959 in order to built racing cars. The company was bought by Ford in 1971. But just before coming under the control of Ford, De Tomaso produced between 1967 and 1971 the Mangusta. The name, mongoose, a carnivorous mammal that can kill Cobra, comes from a failed deal between De Tomaso and the famous Carroll Shelby... Just a rumor but I like it 😀.
With the gull-wing doors for the engine and luggage compartment. Cool...
It all started in 1964 with a contract between the two men to produce a new racing car. But as De Tomaso didn't like the design and had some problems to deliver on time the 5 cars requested, Shelby leaves the project to develop the Ford GT40. De Tomaso decided to review the design with the Italian coachbuilder Ghia. The model was presented during the Turing Auto Show in 1965 under the name of P70.
P70 (source)
With this chassis, Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the Mangusta. It looks like the DMC Dolorean, but less square more elegant, normal the Italian design is also behind its design.
Only 401 examples were produced. It wasn't a great success despite its low price but because of some technicals problems (stability problems, poor handling, small interior...).
Specification
The European version of the De Tomaso Mangusta is equipped with a Ford 289 V8 engine producing 306 hp that can reach a top speed of 250 kmh (155 mph).
This example was finished in red over a black (original) interior. Nice mix of American power and Italian design.
While writing this post, I remembered having already seen this car somewhere, not on the street...
Bill Carradine in Kill Bill 2 with his Mangusta
Sale
| Model : | 1971 De Tomaso Mangusta |
| Where : | RM Sotheby's European Sale |
| When : | 3 - 11 June 2020 |
| Estimate Price : | € 200,000 - € 250,000 |
Sources
RM Sotheby's European Sale
Lot : De Tomaso Mangusta
Wikipedia :
De Tomaso
Mangusta
Giorgetto Giugiaro
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Absolutely gorgeous! I love these old De Tomasos, and it's such a shame they were so rare, as I would've loved to see a modern-day mainstream competitor to Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati... Barring the P72, and other small-volume cars. It's pretty special to see the rear engine-cover spread its wings like that, though I wonder if it'll be quite the hassle if you're intending to work on it.
Apparently, this was real! I read about it a while back, as De Tomaso was pissed off that Carroll Shelby walked off to work with Ford on the GT40 and Cobra. As Italians do, they hold quite the grudge, and De Tomasso was clearly not intending on forgetting that so easily 😆. Not sure if I prefer this or the Pantera, to be honest...
Without hesitation, the Pantera...
It's quite the close one between that or the Mangusta. Though to be honest, I can't recall the differences. I still don't know which one to choose!
For me Pantera GTS but if someone gives one Mangusta, I'll not say No 😀 :
Damn, that spec is too good! The GTS is quite the mad bastard of a car, and the best scene so far is the one where The Grand Tour chased it around with a Citroen. It was a slightly modified Pantera, as I recall, but still an awesome episode nevertheless!