1-Of-401: 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta
Before the Pantera, Italian car maker De Tomaso produced this gorgeous Mangusta. The name is Italian for mongoose, an animal known for dispatching cobras. Draw your own conclusion on the origin of that name! This 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta in Los Angeles, California comes to market in “as is” condition, refurbished but apparently never restored. Our own Jeff Lavery covered what looks like the same car in 2022 here on Barnfinds. Offered by the same seller, it then came with a $135,000 asking price in “as is” condition with an apparently twisted frame, no back-story, and roached-out seats. Today we see the green exotic with shortcomings addressed and a higher price tag affixed. Thanks to Driven By Faith Restorations for submitting the tip on this second-chance Italian.
Full instrumentation and an array of switches keep the driver informed and in control. Among them you may find “Oil Slick” or “Ejection Seat” to jettison that nagging passenger. Perhaps not, but we can always hope. I’d be embarrassed to ask six digits for a car with what looks like a leather passenger seat while the driver’s looks like vinyl from JoAnn Fabrics, but the absence of protruding springs suggests acceptable comfort. The tall shift lever and gated shifter plate look more Italian than a luncheon of New York City concrete magnates.
Someone replaced the right glass panel over the engine since we last saw this ride, and it’s no longer visibly listing. For the price of a Kid’s Meal you could probably get someone to polish those exhaust tips. Exquisitely designed by Ghia’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Mangusta’s body, asphalt-scraping stance, and muscular staggered rolling gear render the Italian exotic poised to leap forward at the owner’s command.
Easing the pain of your high-dollar gamble, a nondescript Ford small-block V8 powers the Mangusta, mated to a five-speed ZF transaxle. Stock power around 230 HP won’t help you smoke any Hellcats but count on the De Tomaso’s 700 times more gravity to attract heavenly bodies. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details.
Check out more pictures and details here on eBay, where the Classified price of $197,500 leaves change for a few tanks of gas after draining your $200,000 retirement savings. Sadly, the description extolls every 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta, passing over this specimen’s story completely. Low volumes excluded De Tomaso from requirements relating to headlight height, bumpers, and seat belts. We’d love to hear an update from whoever buys this green machine. Where does this Ford-powered Mangusta rank on your list of exotic supercars?
Auctions Ending Soon
1981 Chevrolet Silverado K20 4X4Bid Now3 days$4,500
1963 Ford Country Squire WagonBid Now3 days$100
1989 Dodge Daytona ShelbyBid Now3 days$100
1991 Dodge Spirit R/TBid Now3 days$100
Comments
I possibly might have been more successful in life if I hadn’t spent so much time in high school drawing this car in my three ring binder instead of listening to the teacher (“Have you seen Junior’s grades?”). This car was captivating to me, along with the other products of this golden age of Italian high performance automobile design. It was a great time to be a rabid car designer wannabe… I imagine that more than a few of you may have had similar experiences. 😉
These area a truly beautiful design, one of my all-time favourites. I’ve seen pictures of a guy who was racing one, in blue with black fender flares, it looks really good too – aggressive.
The Italians really made some gorgeous cars in that era. 1967 Alfa Romeo Type 33 Stradale does it for me.
Never heard of the Mangusta model. De Tomaso sure made slick looking, and fast cars.
If I recall correctly, it was called “Mangusta” (which is Italian for Mongoose) because it is one of the few creatures that can prevail in a fight with a Cobra…
The older brother to the Pantera. Good looks ran in the family.
This has been 4 sale for a long time. By Beverly Hills Car Club.
Will be for sale a lot longer at $200,000
This is pretty nice for BHCC, but then I looked at their other cars for sale.
They’ve moved up several notches in car quality since the last time I looked.
I’m a fan of these but never driven one, have driven a Pantera. And let me tell you something. You feel 7′ tall and it will make your pants grow when you open up the throttle so I imagine the same from a Mangusta.
Clevland motor in the Pantera was much more powerful. Easy 300HP. But the front ends were Very light at speed.
Could be a gorgeous car and at that price, should be. The lack of attention to detail in this specimen makes it a pass. probably why it’s been for sale for so long.
I recall an Automotive TV show showing a restoration of a Mangusta. It was owned by a gearhead famous for being the drummer of CheapTrick! Gorgeous car.
Gorgeous cars. Decent example. Could be perfect with little effort, which should be put in at the asking price. Still, fantastic car. The price will continue to hold it back from selling unless it’s perfected 1st.
Great color. Always wanted one. Unfortunately, I’m more Scat Pack, GT or SS money. If I had more money than needed, it would be on my “potential” list, instead, it’s on my “dream” list.
Had a chance to buy one of these years ago from a Ford dealer. Now I know why he had it, somebody didn’t pay for their engine rebuild so…lien sale.
Always wondered at how the maker of some of the coolest designs around could have the most odd and unappealing logo in automotive history.
Lovely looking car. I’ve heard of the DeTomaso Mangusta, but I’ve never seen one up close. Assuming parts are available, and the car can be driven under its own power, I’d be willing to pony up at least $100k for the car.
Agree. Prices on De Tomasos have been falling (along with the similar cars in the market). This will be another “no sale” due to the reserve not being met.
Prices on De Tomasos have been falling (along with the similar cars in the market). This will be another “no sale” due to the reserve not being met.
Reserve? This is not a auction, this is a BIN, Buy It Now.
A Mangusta “achilles heel” was the “engine cradle” developing cracks and separating from the rest of the chassis. Our shop fixed a few of these gorgeous cars back in their heyday. Buyer beware at this stage of its life.
I can’t claim to be a DT expert by any means (although I did get a tour of their factory/museum right before it was liquidated in 2004, for what that’s worth), but I’m pretty sure >‘68 USA-spec Mangustas had pop-up 7” headlights specifically to satisfy headlight height regulations. So if I saw this on the street I’d assume (perhaps naively) that it’s either not a ‘69 or not a USA-spec car.