Lot 205: 1968 De Tomaso Mangusta

Former racing driver, Alejandro de Tomaso, has owned some of the most famous names in Italian engineering including Maserati, Innocenti, Benelli, Moto Guzzi, Vignale and Ghia. Cars under his own name raced in Formula One in the early 1960s and he showed a number of prototype road cars before putting one, the Vallelunga, into limited production in 1965.De Tomaso hoped that the Vallelunga would be taken over by a major manufacturer, but when that did not happen he re-engineered the chassis, and dropped in a 4.7 litre Ford V8 which delivered its 306bhp (and 392lb/ft torque) through a ZF five-speed gearbox. Meanwhile Giotto Bizzarrini had designed a mid-engined car for which Giugiaro had created a body; this project was stillborn but de Tomaso took over the body shape and so created the Mangusta, which is Italian for mongoose, the only animal which the cobra fears.The Mangusta's combination of style, a proven, untemperamental engine and four-wheel disc brakes meant that De Tomaso soon had a full order book. Few of the 400 examples made came to Britain, however, and only three had right-hand drive. One was featured in Classic & Sportscar in 1984, and author Mike McCarthy was suitably impressed: 'I didn't take it over 4,000rpm, nor use full throttle, but even so there was enough urge to bring out a wide grin, a slight settling in the seat, and a refocusing of the eyes to some considerable distance ahead...' This Cobra eater, with its 4.7 litre V8 engine boasting 306 HP is mated to a ZF 5-speed gearbox with GT40 disc brakes to reign in the performance, is one of 401 Mangusta's built and has covered a mere 43,000 kms from new, as stated by its long term owner. The stunning body was penned by Giugiaro and was built in De Tomaso's own body plant - Ghia. To improve this extremely fast cars road holding, it is now equipped with 9' rear wheels and bronze bushings. Further improvements include the fitting of a matchless ignition system, 4 Holley carburetors and Edelbrock induction pipes. Moreover many of the steel and alloy sections were corrosion treated, resulting in a car with excellent power output, fine road holding, surefooted brakes and most importantly is mechanically and bodily sound. The car was initially delivered to Italy when new and has had only one owner in Germany since 1987. The car is finished in red with a beige interior and is excellent condition in all respects.Cette superbe voiture, avec un moteur de 4.7 Litre V8, est un des 401 exemplaires de Mangusta construite. Elle n'a parcourue que 43.000 km depuis sa sortie d'usine. Neuve, elle fut livrée en Italie, et ne possde, depuis 1987, qu'un seul propriétaire en Allemagne. De carrosserie rouge avec un interieur beige, elle est d'écrite par son propriétaire comme étant dans d'excellente condition.