Rivalries are nothing new in the automotive world, and it was one such situation that motivated De Tomaso to attach the Mangusta badge to the car that replaced its Vallelunga. Only 401 of these vehicles rolled off the line before being replaced by the iconic Pantera, and this 1970 example is a gem. It presents superbly following a total restoration and is a classic with a known history. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Driven By Faith Restorations for spotting an Italian thoroughbred that needs nothing but a new home.

Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the design for the Mangusta, which went into production in 1967. The styling is elegant and aggressive but is also quirky. Pop-up headlamps were an industry favorite at the time, and gullwing doors were nothing new. However, a gullwing hood helped the Mangusta to stand apart from other Italian exotics. The Mangusta name was derived from the Italian for “mongoose,” and was a direct result of a dispute between Alejandro de Tomaso and Carroll Shelby. A planned collaboration on a new Can Am race car floundered when De Tomaso failed to deliver on his side of the deal. Shelby pulled the pin, and De Tomaso was so incensed that he dubbed his latest model the Mangusta, as a mongoose was an animal capable of killing Cobras. It is worth noting that both men were quite hard-headed and that Alejandro de Tomaso developed a reputation for not working well with others. This car’s first owner was a Pan Am pilot who remained its custodian for fourteen years. It passed through the hands of two subsequent owners who used it sparingly before finding its way to a collector who commissioned a total restoration. The car was completely stripped and the panels were massaged to an arrow-straight state before being repainted in its beautiful original factory Red. Every piece of trim was refreshed, as were the Campagnolo alloy wheels. The glass is crystal clear, and the subsequent owners have done their best to protect this classic from wear and tear. I am unsure whether it is fair to describe the Mangusta as perfect, but the new owner won’t need to spend a dime on its exterior presentation.

This Mangusta features an aftermarket Ferrero wood and leather wheel and an upgraded radio/cassette player. Otherwise, the interior is as it left the factory. The Black leather upholstered surfaces perfectly complement the exterior paint shade, and the overall condition suggests it has seen limited use since the restoration ended. The outer seat bolsters are prone to wear, but there are no such problems with this classic. Everything is spotlessly clean, with no evidence of abuse. This De Tomaso scores points with me courtesy of the gated shifter, which I have always felt is an essential feature of any Italian exotic. Cabin ventilation is one of the Mangusta’s most noted shortcomings, so the buyer will undoubtedly welcome the air conditioning and power windows.

Part of the secret to the Mangusta’s impressive performance was its curb weight of 2,612 lbs. It meant that the car’s mid-mounted 302ci Ford V8 didn’t have a lot of mass to shift. It sent 230hp and 310 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a five-speed ZF manual transaxle. Enormous four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension improved the car’s handling and stopping power, making it worthy of wearing the tag of an exotic sports car. However, it is worth noting that the Mangusta received plenty of criticism when it was new for being highly strung and difficult to drive. Those cars that survive have typically been refined, making them far more user-friendly. This De Tomaso would have covered the ¼-mile in 14.7 seconds on its way to 155mph when it left the factory, but the restoration included a specialist rebuild for its V8 that pushed power to a reputed 305hp. Therefore, this gem could be considerably faster. It is in excellent mechanical health and, unsurprisingly, it is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

This 1970 De Tomaso Mangusta is a stunning car that would undoubtedly draw crowds. The company produced 401 of these classics, but it is believed that only around 250 remain in captivity. The seller listed this one here on eBay in Saint Ann, Missouri. Unsurprisingly, potential buyers must pay dearly to park it in their garage. The price of $329,900 is eye-watering, although the seller provides the option to make an offer. The viewing and watch history for the listing suggests that most people feel it is beyond their means, but it would only take one person for the Mangusta to find a new home. Do you think that will happen at the BIN price, or will the seller need to lower their expectations?