608

1968 4-headlight

Color = Yellow

Engine: 302 Ford V8

Exterior: Yellow
Interior: Black

History:
2005/06 offered for sale by Luzzago, Brescia at 60,100km.

€210.000 – €260.000
Chassis no. 8MA608Engine no. 6W502233271 bhp, 289 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine, five-speed ZF manual transmission, unequal length wishbone front suspension with coil springs and an anti-roll bar, wide-base unequal length wishbone rear suspension with trailing arms, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar, and four-wheel power-assisted Girling disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,500 mm

A legendary 1960s mid-engined supercar
Italian-owned since new; beautifully and authentically restored
Featured in the April 2014 issue of Ruoteclassiche magazine

Like several other racing drivers of his day, Alejandro de Tomaso eventually developed his own automobile, one that combined a racing-style chassis, Italian design, and reliable American power, in this case by Ford.

The first true production De Tomaso was the Mangusta, which was introduced in 1967. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by fabled Turin coachbuilder Ghia, of which de Tomaso had become the president. The car was reportedly based on the Ford GT40 concept, as it featured a mid-ship V-8 engine, rear transaxle, and backbone chassis. Giugiaro’s muscular, wide-shouldered bodywork emphasised that the engine, which was visible under two clamshell-style rear windows, could propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, through the quarter-mile in 15 seconds at 94 mph, and to a claimed top speed of 155 mph.

The car offered here is one of the rare Mangustas in Italy, and it is being offered by a prominent De Tomaso enthusiast. It was first registered in Italy in 1968 and is believed to have been continuously owned in its home country since new. Amongst its former owners was Umberto Maggi, the long-time bassist of the Italian band Nomadi. In its present ownership, it was restored with a fully rebuilt engine, a new synchromesh gearbox, and a rebuilt suspension, as well as a beautifully and authentically restored interior. Sourcing the correct Ferrero steering wheel reportedly took four years, and the air conditioning controls had to be ordered from Germany! Santiago de Tomaso, son of Alejandro, was of great help in identifying correct components.

The finished Mangusta was prominently featured in an article in the April 2014 issue of Ruoteclassiche magazine. This De Tomaso is one of the finest and most authentic available, and it stands ready to join any important supercar collection.