2000 | Qvale Mangusta

This car never born officially but it would have probably had a good success: it was the Coupè version of the Mangusta, studied to solve the problems on the disputable style of the Biguà by Gandini: the front and the rear were less “complicated”, more sleeks; another peculiarity is the absence of the “Roto-top” changed with a longer and armonized rear window, still keeping the targa roof.

It seems to have been produced during the period in the middle between the De Tomaso and the Qvale production and was shown at the 2000 Geneva Auto Show in green metallic; then the car was repainted in silver metallic (to not be chosen by journalists!) and used as a test-car for a more powerful engine and performing solutions, maybe to encounter the demanding european customers.

The bad destiny of the company stopped the development of this car which was sold in 2002 together with the prototype of the De Tomaso Mangusta. Parts made of plaster, wood and fiber composites needed to be repaired and the car was fully restored: it was even fully repainted in green and the false window had been partially opened for an easier road use.

It is a prototype born just as a show car, with many handcrafted parts but is perfectly running and it seems to have been driven for more than 10000kms as a test car. The current owner drove it just for a quick test in 2002 then for another test after the restoration. 

The car comes with italian license plates and purchase invoice. We are still working on historical researches to know more about this car. 

This car could be seen in Bologna by appointment. 

Historical notes:

The Qvale Mangusta was produced in almost 270 cars from 1999 to 2001. Name and company were from San Francisco but the factory was located in Modena.  By the name of the model you’ll understand that its origin is tighten to another DNA: the Mangusta would have been the hommage made by Alejandro De Tomaso to his first Mangusta, a GT presented in late 60’s. At first it was presented under the name of “Biguà” at the 1996 Geneva motor show, but we know it as “Qvale Mangusta” because Qvale family, the US importer for many European prestige cars noticed the car and provided funding to develop the show car into production car, which would be called “De Tomaso Mangusta” instead. Kjell Qvale, with his son Bruce, was the Maserati importer for the States since the 70’s: he also funded the San Francisco auto show, imported Jaguar, Austin Healey and  Rolls-Royce and designed the “corkscrew” corner at Laguna Seca raceway.

Inspired by the british TVR, Ing. Casarini chief designer, imagined a simple chassis based on a Ford V8: then they added a very special retractable roof, the “Roto-top”,which could transform the car from coupe to convertible or targa: 

Qvale was was receiving a strong demand from the US market, the car was very suitable for that market but De Tomaso increased its financial problems and Qvale finally took over the project in 2000, going into production under the name Qvale Mangusta. Qvales expected to produce 900 Mangustas in 2001, but that did not come true. Market reaction to the car was poor, probably due to its general inability to match Porsche, Ferrari and other european sports cars. After less than 300 examples produced, the production ceased.

The “new” Mangusta handling was pretty good thanks to a very rigid chassis, 50-50 weight distribution, all double wishbones suspensions, strong Brembo brakes, powerful and progressive. It rode well with an excellent body control and a power oversteering to play with, thanks to a V8 engine with 322hps from the Ford Mustang Cobra. Its 2670mm wheelbase was among the longest for a 2-seater and enabled the big V8 to be positioned virtually completely behind the front axle and resulted in a perfect front-to-rear weight distribution. The stock V8 inherently complied with Federal emission standards. Qvale also engineered the car to satisfy Federal safety laws. 

The styling was penned by Marcello Gandini, the father of the Pantera, Lamborghini Miura, Countach and various Maseratis: the angular shape of rear wheelarches, was his signature. Its shape echoes the american muscle cars in the big side skirts, the side air intakes and the rear lamps covered by the grid: at the time it didn’t convince but now we can find a precise style of the mid 90’s was maybe appreciate more.

Inside there are many components derived by Ford production cars (which is a good resource for spare parts), mounted into a full leather interior comprehensive of air-conditioning, power seats, windows and mirrors, ABS and remote control lock. 

Further details on: www.gulfblue.it