650

1967

Color = Yellow

This example, #8MA650, is titled as a 1970 . The four-headlight design was eventually not allowed in the US, to be replaced by the less-elegant two-headlight pop-up design that replaced it.

CONDITION: Superb, near-concours condition. This car was restored to Pebble Beach standards about ten years ago, at the cost of about $125,000 according to my conversation with the owner who had the work done. Most sellers would say it’s perfect but I am sufficiently obsessive to know the difference between Pebble Best of Show and everything else. If it were, the reserve would be well over $120,000. Current price guides are hopelessly unrealistic.

HISTORY: This was an 11,500-mile car from Arizona that was subjected to a ground-up, nut and bolt restoration and the underside still looks new. NO RUST ANYWHERE, and the original car had only a quarter-sized rust spot on each rocker toward the front. The color was originally yellow and the restorer (as is so typical) re-sprayed it red, the archetypal Mangusta color. The original interior was black and has been restored as original down to the last stitch. (Refer to an original article on the car published by Pantera International, Spring 2002, Number 110 for greater details.) The owner subsequently sold the car to a collector who put the car up at auction in 2003 after hardly driving it. I have put considerable resources into the car since purchasing it in March 2004, as it was never totally sorted. Now it is completely sorted and it drives beautifully.

AT PRESENT: This car shows approximately 14,000+ original miles, of which about 1,500 are mine. The original restoration entailed engine improvements to the Windsor 302: Blueprinting, Crane cam, roller rockers, aluminum Ford SVO heads, Edelbrock intake manifold, 650cfm Holley and Hall headers. MSD ignition is fitted. The engine was dyno-tested to about 305hp when restored. A custom bell housing skid plate has prevented damage to the underside of the drivetrain. Engine runs nice and cool with no overheating. The ZF transmission shifts perfectly. AC blows cold with good old-fashioned ozone-destroying refrigerant. Manuals, old literature, original toolkit (12mm wrench cracked) and jack included.

NEW: Dunlop racing tires, Optima battery, Carrera shocks, brakes/rotors/master cylinder, front hubs/bearings, U-joints and suspension bushings, tie rod ends, plugs and wires with heat protectors, etc.

DISCLOSURE: Spare tire bolt and front underhood quilt not installed. Spare rim has no tire mounted. Driver seat could be restuffed. Dash lights glow faintly. There is a slight deformation in one left rear hatch hinge and a couple of small paint chips. The paint is lacquer, and prospective buyers should examine or call to discuss inch-by-inch assessment.

This car was awarded First Place/Student Designer category at the 2004 Art Center Car Classic. It will go to the upcoming Palos Verdes Concours this September 18, which is a condition of sale as I have promised the show organizers that it will appear in this prestigious event. You can be the owner driving across the lawn to take the trophy.

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Richard Pogson Vito as you know this car was bought by myself and shipped to the UK.
I stripped the car and had it repainted (red) as the car is know in red paint.
All the detailed work has been redone ie chassis and underside ladder rail which was red is now black, original AC compressor fitted, original condenser fitted, chrome skid pan removed, engine bay completely refurbished to higher standard, all cabin is kept as is because the trimming of this interior is exceptional.
I have original wheels and tyres that were with the car but preferred the look of the wider 8s and 10s that the prototype had fitted as they fill the arches better.
The front trunk insulation pad has been fitted copied from an original stitched.