Mangusta

De Tomaso Mangusta
Overview
Manufacturer	De Tomaso
Production	1967–1971 (401 produced)
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	RMR layout
Powertrain
Engine	4.7-litre (4728 cc/289 cid) V8 5.0-litre (4949 cc/302 cid) V8
Transmission	ZF 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Length	4,275 mm (168.3 in)
Width	1,834 mm (72.2 in)
Height	1,100 mm (43.3 in)
Curb weight	1,322 kg (2,914.5 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	De Tomaso Vallelunga
Successor	De Tomaso Pantera

The De Tomaso Mangusta is a sports car produced by Italian manufacturer De Tomaso between 1967 and 1971.

The Mangusta replaced the Vallelunga model, on which its chassis was based. The word "mangusta" is Italian for "mongoose", an animal that can kill cobras. It was rumored that the car was so named because De Tomaso had some talks with Carroll Shelby to replace the Shelby Cobra with a racing car to be built in Italy by the Argentine-born De Tomaso ("De Tomaso Sport 5000" a.k.a. "De Tomaso P70"), but no deal was signed since Shelby became involved in the Ford GT40 racing program. Nevertheless, Alejandro de Tomaso and Carroll Shelby were friends and business is business, so it is also rumored that the first handful of engines for the Mangusta may have come from Shelby. The Mangusta was replaced by the much cheaper-to-build De Tomaso Pantera in 1971.

401 Mangustas were built, about 150 of the European version, the remainder were the North American version. The initial cars are claimed to have a more powerful Ford HiPo 289 cu. in. engine; the later cars all had Ford 302 engines. With the 1970 model USA destined cars were produced with 2 headlamp pop-up, an estimated 50 cars were produced in this configuration. One car was built with a Chevrolet engine for General Motors-Vice President, Bill Mitchell. There are reported to be approximately 250 of the 401 cars left in existence, according to the three available registries.

The Mangusta was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, which is easily recognised by its gull wing doors over the engine and luggage compartment. The European version was fitted with a mid-mounted 306 horsepower (228 kW) Ford 289 V8 engine, driven through a 5-speed ZF transaxle; in North America a 221 horsepower (165 kW) Ford 302 V8 was used. All round disc brakes and independent suspension, rack & pinion steering, air conditioning, and power windows were fitted, ahead of other manufacturers of the time. Journalist Paul Frère claimed he achieved a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

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Wikipedia