2000 Qvale Mangusta

Interesting to note the difference between the average CL ad copy and this...

Photos: Streetside Classics

Take a beautiful Italian design, wrap it around a reliable Ford 320hp V8, add a sophisticated suspension, and produce them only by the handful. Sounds like a recipe for a rare exotic, right? That's why we're sure you're not going to be able to think too long on this surprisingly affordable 2000 Qvale Mangusta before it's out of our showroom.

This has one of the coolest histories in exotic cars. The design of this Italian come from the same artist that penned other legendary exotics like the Lamborghini Countach and Alfa Romeo Montreal, and that's not its only supercar lineage. This was originally developed under Alejandro De Tomaso and carried his storied Mangusta moniker. Finally, those who know the name of importer Kjell Qvale, and his history of bringing interesting cars to the USA, will be proud to have his name on this design when De Tomaso moved on to other projects. Like a true European sports car, this Mangusta relies on good design and its factory shade of Santorini Blue Pearlescent rather than bright ornamentation. In fact, it would be tough to hang chrome on the lightweight body panels. But don't worry, this Mangusta has its own way of attracting attention. This is three sports cars in one. You can have a fully enclosed coupe, remove the center section for a targa top, or drop the rear window behind the seats for a full convertible.

Step inside for true Italian luxury. While two of the three roof options open up this Mangusta to the world, you can tell by the condition of the saddle leather interior that no one ever left it that way for too long. All of these soft surfaces look and feel almost like this car was fresh off the boat from Modena. While there's no chrome on the outside, there's plenty of brightwork tastefully mixed in as trim to the tan leather. The result is a bold look that has a true premium appearance. Like any good expensive exotic, it comes with a long list of features, including power bucket seats, power locks, keyless entry, power windows, driver & passenger airbag, AM/FM/CD stereo, and ice cold air conditioning so you can keep the top down even on the hottest summer day. But don't let all the luxury items fool you; this car is a true sports car. You'll know it the moment you grab the Antera leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. In fact, beyond that you'll see a gauge cluster that's familiar to SVT Mustang owners, which is a nice hint to what's under the hood.

Just like original De Tomaso Mangusta, this one relies on a powerful and exceptionally reliable Ford V8. It's a DOHC, 32-valve 4.6-liter motor from Ford's Special Vehicles Team (SVT). What this means is the 320 hp engine has the low-end liveliness you'd expect from the best European and Japanese sports cars, and the unmistakable top end grunt of American muscle. It's an intoxicating blend that makes this Mangusta lively at any speed. Adding to this ultimate sports car feeling is the BorgWarner T5 five-speed manual transmission and power assisted steering. It's backed up by a fully independent suspension, Brembo four-wheel disc brakes, and grippy Michelin ZR rated tires. So you know this is a car that can attack the backroads, but since its averaged less than 2,900 miles a year, we suspect this Mangusta has led a bit more of a cherished life.

Today's supercar makers have huge corporate backing, and so an independent project like this Mangusta couldn't last very long. That means less than 300 were ever hand-built for the world market. Now's your opportunity to own this exceptionally rare exotic where the design is unique but drivetrain components are available from Ford. It's the perfect combination to make others jealous for years to come...especially if you tell them how little you paid. Call today!!!