Description
The Argentine, Alejandro Detomaso, was both a businessman and a racing driver. His ambition was always to design his own car. By founding Detomaso Automobili in Modena in the late 1950s, he made his dream a reality. He had one goal in mind: to create his own sports car with his name on it. To achieve this, he initially focused on creating prototypes and race cars. In this way, he designed the first Formula 1 car for Frank Williams. Unlike his fellow citizen Enzo Ferrari, Detomaso used his race cars to finance the production of road cars. His first road car, the Vallelunga, equipped with a small four-cylinder engine, appeared about four years after he founded his company. Three years later, in 1966, Detomaso introduced the Mangusta.
What are we talking about? The Mangusta was equipped with a 5-liter V8 engine from Ford paired with a manual ZF transaxle gearbox. Giorgetto Giugiaro was responsible for the design of the Mangusta. Thanks to its aerodynamic design, the Mangusta reached modern top speeds of 250 kilometers per hour (155 mph). Remarkable, of course! Production numbers remained relatively low, with only 401 examples of the Mangusta built.
Today, it is a highly sought-after classic, and that comes as no surprise: with Italian styling and American engineering, it combines a fantastic package of specifications. Fun fact: the Mangusta’s manual specifically indicates the applicable tire pressure based on weather and driving conditions. For example, the driver should lower the tire pressure in the rain and increase it for very sporty performances (over 210 km/ h which is about 130 mph).
Our Mangusta at Gallery Aaldering in Brummen is a rare version with European specifications and the desirable and more powerful 4. 7-liter (289 ci) V8 with 305 hp. With this engine, the Mangusta has 72 hp more than the 4. 9-liter (302 ci) V8. Additionally, this example comes with the original manual and various invoices, showing that this Mangusta always received the proper maintenance.
The entire car is in very original condition. The bodywork is beautiful and well-maintained. In the past, this Mangusta received new paint, and although it shows some signs of use, it still looks good. The exterior is neat with a nice bodywork and body panels that fit nicely. The trim and wheels are also in good condition. The interior is also very original and authentic and in excellent condition. The carpets, along with the upholstery and the instrument panel with the gauges and switches, are all still in good condition. Sitting in a Mangusta is a wonderful experience. You sit low and in a sporty position. The 4. 7-liter engine runs fantastically and sounds like only an American V8 can. This example is equipped with an Ansa exhaust system, which makes the V8 sound come to life. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the brakes are perfectly adjustable. Technically, this Mangusta is also in excellent condition.
This is a beautiful Detomaso and very attractively priced. According to experts, only a few Mangustas remain. The car is therefore not only beautiful but also extremely rare, making it an ideal classic for the collector.
Are you interested in this rare Detomaso Mangusta? Contact us today, we are happy to assist you. You are welcome at Gallery Aaldering in Brummen. We have years of experience in exporting our vehicles worldwide. Ask about the possibilities.
