𝟙𝟡𝟞𝟡 𝑫𝒆 𝑻𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂 ➰

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta – The Bold Italian-American Supercar Icon

The De Tomaso Mangusta is one of the most distinctive and daring sports cars to emerge from the late 1960s, a period when Italian design flair met American muscle power. Launched in 1967 and produced through the early 1970s, the Mangusta combined aggressive styling, mid-engine layout, and powerful V8 muscle under the hood, making it an instantly recognizable and coveted classic today.

The Origins: De Tomaso’s Bold Statement

Founded by Argentine-born Alejandro de Tomaso in 1959, the Italian marque aimed to build performance cars that could rival the best from Ferrari and Lamborghini but with a unique identity. The Mangusta (meaning “mongoose” in Italian) was the company’s second model after the Vallelunga and was intended to be a mid-engined supercar with striking design and high performance.

𝘈 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘦

Is one of the most striking and underrated classics to ever roll out of Italy. With only around 400 units made, this exotic beast is a rare blend of Italian design and American muscle.

Its name—Mangusta, meaning “mongoose” in Italian—was a not-so-subtle jab at Carroll Shelby’s Cobra, as the mongoose is one of the few animals known to kill cobras.

Design: Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Masterpiece

The Mangusta’s styling was crafted by the legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro during his time at Ghia, blending aggressive aesthetics with functional design elements.

Key Design Features:

  1. A low, wide stance with sharp, angular lines
  2. Iconic split rear window louvres, inspired by racing cars, giving the Mangusta a unique rear profile
  3. A front end dominated by pop-up headlights that add to the aggressive look
  4. Gullwing-style engine cover that opens in two parts, providing access to the massive V8 and rear suspension
  5. Lightweight steel and aluminum construction with a fiberglass body

The Mangusta’s design was unapologetically bold, combining Italian styling finesse with raw muscle car attitude.

Powertrain: American Muscle Meets Italian Mid-Engine

Unlike many Italian supercars that favored V12 engines, the Mangusta was powered by a Ford-sourced V8, bringing American reliability and torque to an exotic package.

Engine and Performance Specs:

  1. Engine: 4.7-liter (289 ci) Ford V8 (later versions used a 302 ci V8)
  2. Power: Around 306 horsepower
  3. Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox
  4. Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
  5. 0-60 mph: Approximately 5.5 seconds
  6. Top speed: Around 250 km/h (155 mph)

This combination gave the Mangusta impressive straight-line performance with the handling benefits of a mid-engine layout.


Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia, the Mangusta features a sleek, low-slung body with dramatic gullwing rear engine covers, giving it one of the most aggressive stances of any ’60s GT car. Underneath the skin, it hides a Ford V8—most commonly the 302 or 289 cubic inch variants—delivering raw American power with Italian flair.

While its rear-heavy weight distribution and somewhat twitchy handling made it a handful on twisty roads, the Mangusta more than made up for it with pure charisma. It’s a car that commands attention, whether parked or flying down the highway.

Today, the De Tomaso Mangusta stands as a symbol of a bold era—an uncompromising, transatlantic fusion that remains a dream car for collectors and a staple in any conversation about forgotten legends of the automotive world.


The 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta is an iconic Italian sports car that blends exotic European styling with raw American power.

Designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia, the Mangusta (Italian for “mongoose”) was introduced in 1967 as a follow-up to De Tomaso’s earlier Vallelunga. It was produced until 1971, with approximately 401 units built.


𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔

• Origins: The Mangusta was originally developed from a failed partnership between De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby, intended to build a new Can-Am racer. After the project fell through, De Tomaso used the chassis to develop the Mangusta.

• Design: The car’s most striking feature is its gullwing engine covers over the rear compartment, which house a mid-mounted V8 engine. The low-slung, aggressive bodywork is a classic example of late 1960s Italian design.


• Performance: The 1969 model typically came with a Ford 302 cubic inch (4.9L) V8 engine, producing around 230–271 horsepower, depending on the market and tuning. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed ZF transaxle.

• Chassis and Handling: Built on a steel backbone chassis, the Mangusta had a reputation for poor weight distribution (about 68% to the rear), which affected handling. Nonetheless, it offered an engaging and raw driving experience.

• Legacy: Although it had flaws, the Mangusta gained a cult following for its styling and unique hybrid of Italian design and American muscle.

It paved the way for De Tomaso’s more refined Pantera in the 1970s.

Driving Experience: Raw and Engaging

The Mangusta offers an experience that’s pure and thrilling, albeit somewhat raw by modern standards:

  1. The mid-engine placement provides excellent balance and cornering ability, though it can be challenging for inexperienced drivers.
  2. The heavy V8 soundtrack fills the cabin with a deep, guttural growl that’s unmistakably American muscle.
  3. Steering is direct but heavy, and the manual transmission adds to the driver-focused experience.
  4. The car’s lightweight construction and powerful engine make it a genuinely quick and agile performer on winding roads.

While not as refined as some contemporaries, the Mangusta’s character and emotion make it a true driver’s car.

Legacy and Collectibility

The De Tomaso Mangusta remains a highly desirable classic car for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate its rarity, bold design, and performance pedigree.

  1. Approximately 400 units produced between 1967 and 1971, making it relatively rare
  2. Regarded as a bridge between Italian design and American muscle in the supercar world
  3. Its unique styling and mid-engine layout paved the way for the later and more famous De Tomaso Pantera
  4. Frequently showcased at classic car events and auctions, often fetching significant prices

The Mangusta’s blend of exotic looks and accessible power has cemented its place as a cult classic.

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