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The Qvale Mangusta traces its roots all the way back to the original DeTomaso Bigua concept, which was showcased at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show. During production, the car was actually renamed to DeTomaso’s Mangusta nameplate, which was used from 1967 to 1971.
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Well, what caused the change of the car’s entire ownership from DeTomaso to Qvale? Long story short, Mr. Alejandro de Tomaso’s health deteriorated before the car became a reality, and financial troubles started looming. To make the ‘Bigua’ a reality, they turned to Kjell Qvale, who used to import Italian cars, primarily the original DeTomaso and Maseratis, into the US. Since the development of the car was funded largely by the Qvale family, licensing and distribution issues caused this partnership to sour. With the Qvale family having invested over $30 million into the development of the car, they decided to produce it under the Qvale name. Produced between 1999 and 2004, only 284 Mangustas were made, making the car one of the rarest.
What is a ‘Qvale Mangusta’ Anyway?
Since we’ve covered the somewhat sad history, let’s focus on this quirky little machine. The Qvale Mangusta might look quirky, but keep in mind it was designed by Marcello Gandini, who also designed the Lamborghini Countach and Miura. Apart from its very distinguishable design, the chassis (which helps this car handle surprisingly well) was crafted by Enrique Scalabroni, a former Formula 1 designer for Scuderia Ferrari and Williams.
The heart of the Mangusta is powered by the good ol’ 4.6L DOHC Ford Modular V8. Yes, the same engine seen in the Mustang SVT Cobra, making 320 hp and 314 lb-ft of torque. The car was available with a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission. The engine layout is front-mid, and the power is sent to the rear wheels. The Qvale Mangusta is a few pounds lighter than the Mustang SVT Cobra and could sprint to a maximum top speed of 160 mph.
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Convertible, Targa or Hard-Top? You Decide
Did I mention that this car is a coupe, targa, AND convertible all at the same time? Thanks to the design of the hard top, you can take the roof out and place it inside a rather small boot, turning the car into a targa. Or, if you want the full convertible experience, just lower the rear window section, and there’s your typical convertible. Clever, eh?
Apart from the powertrain, the car shares a lot of other components with the SVT Cobra. For instance, the steering wheel, window switches, headlight switches, and even the gauge cluster are straight-up Ford. Even the keys are typical Ford keys of that era but without the Ford emblem! Yes, they simply removed the Ford logo from the key and called it a day.
Besides these shared components, the interior of the car is rather plush and high-quality, although not premium.
How Do I get My Piece of Mangusta?
This 2001 Qvale Mangusta, with just 6,064 miles on it, is up for sale.
Source – Autotempest.com
Considering fewer than 300 of these cars were made worldwide, getting your hands on one is no easy task. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve found the only Qvale Mangusta for sale in the US with just 6,000 miles on it!
The best part is that these cars are less expensive to buy. You can get a Mangusta in the range of $25,000 to $35,000. Due to the fact that they have (the old) Ford parts in them, the engine is surprisingly reliable for an ‘Italian exotic.’
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If you’re wondering about the original price, you’ll be surprised to know that the car was launched in 2000 with a rather premium price tag of around $80,000! For comparison, the same model year Ford Mustang SVT had an original MSRP of $32,000 for the convertible.
So, can the Mangusta fulfill that desire of yours of owning a rare ‘italian‘ exotic convertible?
