The Mangusta's name may have been a deliberate insult: after a race-car deal between De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby collapsed, De Tomaso allegedly named his car after the one animal known for killing cobras.
Lead trim: Mangusta 4.9 Ford 302 V8 J Code (230 hp) · up to 306 hp
De Tomaso Mangusta1967–1971
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FactThe Mangusta's name may have been a deliberate insult: after a race-car deal between De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby collapsed, De Tomaso allegedly named his car after the one animal known for killing cobras.
The De Tomaso Mangusta is a rear mid-engined sports car produced by De Tomaso between 1967 and 1971 (401 built), designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia and succeeded by the Pantera; "mangusta" is Italian for "mongoose", an animal that can kill cobras, and it was rumoured to be named in retaliation for a failed deal with Carroll Shelby, who backed De Tomaso's plan for a Can-Am car (the P70) but withdrew and joined the Ford GT40 team. It uses a modified version of the P70's steel backbone chassis (the single P70 was shown at the 1965 Turin Motor Show as the Ghia De Tomaso Sport 5000) and is best known for its centre-hinged two-section bonnet that opens like gull-wing doors and covers the engine and luggage compartment. Early European versions had a mid-mounted 306 hp Ford 289 V8 through a 5-speed ZF transaxle, but almost all Mangustas for Europe and North America used an unmodified "J Code" 230 hp Ford 302 V8; all-round Girling disc brakes, independent suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, air conditioning and power windows were fitted, ahead of other makers. Journalist Paul Frère claimed 250 km/h (155 mph). It has a 44/56 front/rear weight distribution and reportedly suffered stability and handling problems, a cramped cabin and extremely low ground clearance. The Mangusta name was revived as the Qvale Mangusta. The page gives no separate years for the two engines, so both trims carry the generation span.
Collectors Spotted in the De Tomaso Mangusta Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the De Tomaso Mangusta yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
2 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangusta 4.7 Ford 289 V8 (306 hp) | 1967–1971 | 4.7 L V8 | 306 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Mangusta 4.9 Ford 302 V8 J Code (230 hp) | 1967–1971 | 4.9 L V8 | 230 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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