RM Sotheby's continues its online sales from June 3 to June 11 with The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection which replaces the Essen auction. I like to browse the different lots to see the cars offered but above all to find unique models that I don't know or very little.

And with this beautiful 1971 De Tomaso Mangusta it's the case. I know the automaker but more for the Pantera than the Mangusta.

The De Tomaso Mangusta has an estimated price between € 200,000 and € 250,000. On this morning of June 5, there are 12 auctions for an amount of € 200,000.

1991 DeTomaso Pantera 90 Si, sold for $US 240,800 last year through RM Sotheby's (source)

History of De Tomaso Mangusta

De Tomaso was an Italian car company founded by Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena (Italy) in 1959 in order to built racing cars. The company was bought by Ford in 1971. But just before coming under the control of Ford, De Tomaso produced between 1967 and 1971 the Mangusta. The name, mongoose, a carnivorous mammal that can kill Cobra, comes from a failed deal between De Tomaso and the famous Carroll Shelby... Just a rumor but I like it 😀.

With the gull-wing doors for the engine and luggage compartment. Cool...

It all started in 1964 with a contract between the two men to produce a new racing car. But as De Tomaso didn't like the design and had some problems to deliver on time the 5 cars requested, Shelby leaves the project to develop the Ford GT40. De Tomaso decided to review the design with the Italian coachbuilder Ghia. The model was presented during the Turing Auto Show in 1965 under the name of P70.

P70 (source)

With this chassis, Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the Mangusta. It looks like the DMC Dolorean, but less square more elegant, normal the Italian design is also behind its design.

Only 401 examples were produced. It wasn't a great success despite its low price but because of some technicals problems (stability problems, poor handling, small interior...).

Specification

The European version of the De Tomaso Mangusta is equipped with a Ford 289 V8 engine producing 306 hp that can reach a top speed of 250 kmh (155 mph).

This example was finished in red over a black (original) interior. Nice mix of American power and Italian design.

While writing this post, I remembered having already seen this car somewhere, not on the street...

Bill Carradine in Kill Bill 2 with his Mangusta

Sale


Model :	1971 De Tomaso Mangusta
Where :	RM Sotheby's European Sale
When :	3 - 11 June 2020
Estimate Price :	€ 200,000 - € 250,000