Check out this gem: 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta
Check out this gem from the heyday of Italian automotive excellence: the 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta. Picture this: a sleek, rare vintage supercar that's as elusive as it is breathtaking. Only 401 of these beauties were ever made, and today, only around 250 are still cruising the streets.Now, let's talk about the name. "Mangusta" means mongoose in Italian, the crafty little critter famous for taking on cobras. Rumor has it that De Tomaso considered replacing the iconic Shelby Cobra with a racing car of their own creation. But alas, fate had other plans when Shelby got tangled up with the Ford GT40. Still, word on the street is that De Tomaso might have snagged a few engines from Shelby to kickstart their Mangusta project. Business is business, after all, even between friends like Alejandro de Tomaso and Carroll Shelby.
Fast forward to today, and we've got this jaw-dropping 1969 Mangusta with its sleek twin headlights, painted in its original Red with Black accents. It's got a rich history, starting its journey in sunny California back in May '69. The first lucky owner held onto it until the '80s, passing the torch to another Californian enthusiast. And boy, has this Mangusta been treated right! Recent work includes some serious TLC for the engine, halfshaft, and gearbox, complete with polished casings. Plus, it comes with a treasure trove of documents, including the original owner's drivers journal detailing every maintenance pit stop since day one. This baby might just be the crown jewel of Mangustas out there. If you're in the market for a piece of automotive history that's as pristine as it gets, look no further. This Mangusta is where it's at!
