The De Tomaso Mangusta car is an iconic, but rare Italian jokes car and a real masterpiece that still brings the heart of every traditional car collector and fan around the world. The Mangusta cast between 1967 and 1971, is one of the most well-known designs from the mythical Giorgetto Giugiaro that was also shifted into reality by none other than the De Tomaso company. So, what does that mean for De Tomaso Mangusta in our existing market?
If you are a collector who likes vintage vehicles or is just curious about the cost of this little edition car, then learning key elements that affect its value is essential. So here is everything you need to learn about what makes a De Tomaso Mangusta car practical. We will also dive into rarity, history, conditions, and trends in the market that help raise or drop prices at any given time. Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways:
- De Tomaso Mangusta cars are known for their rarity and exclusivity, with only about 401 ever produced.
- Prices for Mangusta models vary widely, depending on condition, history, and originality.
- Classic car auctions and private sales often see prices ranging from $300,000 to over $500,000 for well-maintained Mangustas.
- Rarity, originality, and documentation are key factors that drive the value of the De Tomaso Mangusta.
The History of the De Tomaso Mangusta: Why It Matters
De Tomaso Mangusta debuted in 1967 at a time when it was symbolic of an Italian-made car of the highest quality and fine performance. The car, called Mangusta for the mongoose whose only enemy is the cobra, was meant to go head to head with the Shelby Cobra and similarly bodied American sports cars.
With power from a Ford V8, the Mangusta was good for around 306 horsepower and capable of hitting 155 mph, an impressive benchmark at the time. The car’s aluminum chassis and body design not only saved considerable weight but also helped the car stand out. Giugiaro’s angular design was both aggressive and futuristic, yet still looks fresh today. Its historical significance makes it highly prized by collectors. Its rarity — production was limited to just 401 units — makes it quite the catch.
Vehicles with proper provenance, like those driven by famous figures in the past, can go for even more than they would without such hallowed former owners. Knowing some of the background information on the De Tomaso Mangusta helps to understand why this car is seen as somewhat of a sought-after classic.
Pro tip: Confirm the car’s ownership history and documentation are up to par, as the last thing you want is a fake De Tomaso Mangusta. That can be a big pricing determinant.
How Rarity Impacts the Value of a De Tomaso Mangusta?
The rarity of any De Tomaso Mangusta car plays a role in what it is worth. Produced by Maserati from 1954-57, only about half of them remain in this kind of condition today. Mecum points out that 150 of the Mangustas were built for the European market, with another 251 produced for U.S. shores. Versions in the U.S. with modified headlights and different chassis configurations are often more sought after by collectors as well.
The difficulty in coming across a Mangusta will thus have a direct impact on its related market value, which can often become prohibitively exorbitant. At auction, cars with a low run can usually expect to fetch good money indeed, and as such the De Tomaso Mangusta is proving. All original parts with an un-restored body let the price tag soar.
For the Mangusta, rust and mechanical issues took out a large percentage of these cars over the years. Well-preserved or properly restored examples can bring in much higher prices at auction. Rareness is seen as the single largest factor in preserving values, with design and performance also playing a big part (in the eyes of some).
Condition: The Role of Restoration and Originality in Pricing
When determining the value of a De Tomaso Mangusta, the condition of the car is key. As with all classic cars, its value is really in the condition. Collectors and buyers frequently seek cars in their original, unrestored states, or restored to correct factory specifications.
Things to Keep In Mind:
- Uniqueness: Cars with original parts and few modifications are more valuable. Using off-brand parts to replace factory components can devalue the vehicle. Collectors want cars with their original engines, transmissions, and body panels.
- Restoration Quality: A well-restored De Tomaso Mangusta could change hands for all the money, particularly when that restoration was carried out by a shop with experience in vintage Italian vehicles. High-quality restorations that retain authenticity can significantly raise the market price.
- Mileage: Cars with lower mileage will more often than not bring a higher price. Assuming it’s in good physical condition, low-mileage vehicles can be more expensive.
In short, pristine original low-mileage cars are more sought after than high-mileage or highly modified vehicles.
Market Trends: Auction Sales and Private Sales
Classic car prices are known to change with the wind based on demand, market trends, and even cultural shifts. As prices of De Tomaso Mangusta cars continue to increase, more and more car collectors worldwide are setting their sights on rare Italian sports cars.
Auction Results
Recent auction results for the De Tomaso Mangusta range from $300,000 to a half-million. Other sums can run over $600,000 for pristine examples or vehicles with particular provenance. An unmolested Mangusta in fully restored condition could bring as much as $530,000 these days (as evidenced by the 2021 Pebble Beach auction).
Private Sales
Private sales can be somewhat less than public auction prices since they are low profile and without the handle waving. Still, buyers should expect to drop over $300,000 on a good example. Private sales are also popular with buyers, who appreciate the opportunity to negotiate and save the potentially thumping auction fees.
Key Factors That Influence the Price of a De Tomaso Mangusta
Many factors can drive the specific price of a De Tomaso Mangusta car, and learning them might be the key for buyers and sellers to succeed in the classic car market.
- Rarity: The scarcity of the Mangusta goes a long way towards increasing its value.
- Condition and Restoration: Condition plays a larger role in the cost of these cars than most other vehicles.
- Documentation and Originality: Provenance could add quite a bit of value to the price, especially if owned by someone notable. Documentation of repairs or modifications is also essential.
- Connectedness: The Mangusta’s iconic shape and place in history make it highly desirable, pushing up its market value.
- Volatility of the Market: Since demand for classic Italian sports cars fluctuates, so does the price of the Mangusta. Some of this demand is cultural and driven by media exposure.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a De Tomaso Mangusta?
Owning a Mangusta comes with the responsibility of keeping the car in running order—no easy task considering its iconic status and 40-plus years of wear and tear. It can get costly to restore and maintain, especially if you want to keep the car in showroom condition.
Common Maintenance Costs:
- Engine work: The Mangusta’s Ford V8 engine is robust, but even the strongest V8 can need downtime and a rebuild, which generally costs $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the extent.
- Suspension and brakes: Upgrading or replacing suspension parts could cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
- Paint/bodywork: This could exceed $15,000 for a high-quality job.
Pro Tip: Make sure you have classic car insurance for a vehicle as valuable as the Mangusta, which can run $1,500 to $5,000 annually.
De Tomaso Mangusta: Investment or Passion?
The short answer is yes, buying a De Tomaso Mangusta can be a good investment, with some caveats. With the rarity and rising price of the car, buying a Mangusta is likely to prove a sensible financial move. Indeed, prices have risen over the past decade, with some models appreciating by at least 50%.
That said, the value of a classic like this De Tomaso Mangusta has little to do with profit alone. It can earn you a great return over time, but remember, these things cost money to maintain and house, so factor those expenses into your purchase. In that case, it’s also an investment in joy that just happens to cost some money.
Conclusion
The De Tomaso Mangusta car is one of those super rare classic cars we all like to talk about. Its value depends largely on its history, rarity, condition, and market demand. Whether you’re a veteran collector or new to the space, understanding these factors will help you move more strategically in the market.
How about the idea of buying and holding a classic car like the De Tomaso Mangusta? If you were to invest in one, what would be your top three priorities?
Still browsing? Why not check out some of our other blogs with insights into vintage cars and stay updated on market value?