by Mike –
The three week period from late November to early December of this year will be an exciting time for collector car enthusiasts in New York. Specifically from November 19 when the Keno Brothers Rolling Sculpture Auction will be held to December 10 when the RM Sotheby’s Driven by Disruption Auction will be held – both in New York City.
Both auctions have some exciting cars and it will be very interesting to see the results. Here is one in particular that attracts me.
1969 De Tomaso Mangusta
Estimate: $300,000 – $350,000 – Without Reserve
The Mangusta is a mid-engine Ford powered beast that was based on the De Tomaso Vallelunga chassis. Giorgetto Giugiaro (when at Ghia) styled the car and it is easily recognized as one of his beautiful creations.
Approximately 401 Mangustas were produced between 1967 and 1971; 150 were the European version using the Ford V8 289 cid engine with 305 hp, and 250 were the US version, with the Ford 302 cid engine with 230 hp.
Top speed is 130 mph and zero to 60 mph arrives in 6.3 seconds for the US version. The transmission is a manual ZF 5 speed. The front to rear weight distribution and chassis stability were problems for the Mangusta in addition to the tight, and low to the ground, cabin. It is not considered to be a great handling car but is definitely a great looking car with real presence and it sounds great as well.
RM Sotheby’s writes,
271 bhp, 302 cu. in. Ford V-8 engine, five-speed ZF manual transmission, unequal-length wishbone front suspension with coil springs and an anti-roll bar, wide-base unequal-length wishbone rear suspension with trailing arms, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar, and four-wheel power-assisted Girling disc brakes.
Wheelbase: 98.4 in.
Fresh from a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration
One of just 401 Mangustas originally built; approximately 250 examples believed remaining
A groundbreaking combination of American horsepower and Italian design
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
It seems to be on British plates and may be RHD? Hard to tell from the pictures.
Always one of my favorite cars. Went on the Sotheby’s web site. Car looks to be LHD.
Wow all that car and it has a P.O.S. Audiovox cassette deck. I get the cassette deck to keep it period correct but Audiovox? You can buy these at Target.
Awesome looking car. Here’s the direct link.
http://www.rmsothebys.com/ny15/new-york—driven-by-disruption/lots/1969-de-tomaso-mangusta-by-ghia/1078381