• One of only 401 examples of this seminal Italian supercar
• Powered by a 4.7-litre Ford small-block “289” V-8 with a five-speed ZF transaxle
• Built to European specification with the desirable quad-headlamp nose
• Owned by an eminent French collector since 2012

De Tomaso produced its first road car, the Vallelunga, from 1964. The mid-engined coupé was attractive but, with only 1,498 cc, lacked supercar credentials. In 1967, however, the marque unveiled the Mangusta—a jaw-dropping machine boasting monumental performance.

Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the De Tomaso is the epitome of late-1960s design: a low-slung wedge boasting a quad-headlamp nose, vast haunches, and a tail peppered with slots and vents. The crowning glory is aluminium rear bodywork that hinges up, gullwing-style, to reveal the American-made power unit. As slippery as it was styling, the Mangusta was said to be good for a top speed approaching 250 km/h.

In total, 401 were produced, of which chassis 8MA1242 is believed to be one of the final 10. As a result of its late production, the car features selected aluminium panels and magnesium wheels. A European-specification example featuring air conditioning and the more attractive quad-headlamp arrangement, the De Tomaso is nonetheless understood to have been shipped new to the United States.

It was imported to the UK in 2012, when it was acquired by a notable French collector. During his custodianship, the Mangusta has been repainted Blu Scuro and showcased at prestigious events including the Concours d'Élégance and Chantilly Arts & Elegance. The car is accompanied by a history file containing workshop invoices from 2012 until now, the most recent of which covers €10,012-worth of recomissioning with reassembly and sandblasting of selected components at The Workshop in Arbonne, France, in September and December 2022.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa23.