Tag Archives: De Tomaso

2001 Qvale Mangusta

February 5, 2019 Graham

We cannot even begin to do justice to the Qvale Mangusta's interesting history. So, we'll attempt to sum it up in a sentence. Former Maserati owner, Alejandro de Tomaso, upon soliciting a revival plan for De Tomaso from Maserati technical director Giorano Casarini, was given the suggestion to attempt an Italian TVR under the De Tomaso brandname.

The resulting creation featured a chassis fabricated from steel sheetmetal, which is visible in galvanized form when viewing the vehicle from underneath. Glass reinforced plastic, produced using the resign transfer molding process found in Alfa Romeo SZ bodywork, made up the bodywork. And the body itself was designed by none other than Marcello Gandini. Power came courtesy of a Ford SVT 32 valve V8 - the Ford connection a vestige of prior De Tomaso projects.

Year: 2001
Model: Qvale Mangusta
Engine: 4.6L V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 13,168
Price: $45,000
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2001 Qvale Mangusta

Supercharged 2001 Qvale Mangusta

This car is Pristine Don't hesitate to ask questions

Mileage: only 13,168 at time of posting
Horsepower: 600
4.9 liter supercharged Ford V8 built with forged rotating assembly (just completed)
Tremec T56 6-speed Transmission
Borla Exhaust
Brembo brakes
18" Antera Wheels
Eaton 2.3 Liter Supercharger
Alpine Sound/Navigation system
Video of walk around can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/m2fCyruJ400

Click to view listing

Sorry, what was that about a supercharger? And 600hp? That should feel plenty spry in a 3,350lb roadster! And while the build was probably pretty expensive ($45k reported by the seller), it's not like Ford performance parts are all that hard to source. For some reason, we're more intrigued by this build than we are concerned. What could go wrong?

For $45,000, you get a (hopefully) reliable 600hp Gandini body with a chassis by a former Dallara engineer. Sounds like the formula for a Lamborghini, if you ask us. Taking the rarity into consideration as well, as we have to recommend that someone take the plunge with this example. And drive it across the desert, please.

-Graham

De Tomaso

1977 De Tomaso Pantera Group C

May 28, 2014 Graham

The heady days of the Group C saw near limitless speed from major manufacturers; Porsche, BMW, Lancia, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar all vied for the top spots in what was some of the most exciting automobile racing the world had ever known. But it soon became clear that the more money one team spent the more that they'd win, and while in the late 1970s and early 1980s there was enough attrition amongst teams that a small privateer team stood a chance of winning, by the mid 1980s you needed a well sorted, heavily funded factory car to run in Group C. That didn't stop many one-off efforts by some enterprising individuals, though the fruits of their labor seldom were particularly ripe or well formed. Today's Pantera is just such an effort; while it certainly looks the part, this attempt to take the 1970s sports car to the highest rung of motorsports was doomed for failure through lack of development and money. As a collector, that's good news - it means you can buy this fully restored, original configuration Pantera Group C for only a fraction of what race-winning cars from Porsche would bring in today's market:

Year: 1977
Model: Pantera Group C
Engine: 5.7 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: $195,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 De Tomaso Pantera Group C

DeTomaso Group C
DeTomaso Group 5
Factory Homologated
Chassis 0001
The last factory homologated
DeTomaso race car built
1 of 1 - 1977 Pantera chassis

The ultimate DeTomaso collectable or historic racer

Most probably the rarest and fastest Pantera-based DeTomaso racing car ever created.

Restored and ready for museum display or with further race-preparation, for vintage racing in the popular Goup V, GTP and Group C classes.

Own a significant DeTomaso racing car with fascinating history and provenance. Ready for private collection or you prepare for serious historic racing.

As raced in Group 5 trim, this car is probably the most recognized Pantera in the racing world.

For more information and photos, please refer to the book, DeTomaso Macchine da Corsa by Philippe Olczyk on pages 305, 306, 307 353 and 436. Also featured in the book, DeTomaso the Man and the Machines.

Body

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As originally raced.

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Engine

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History

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This automobile was sold in 1981 to Auto Elite in Maranello, Italy where it was re-bodied and converted to Group C specifications. The Group C was owned by Maurizio Micangeli and co-driven by Carlo Pietromarchi in various races in 1982 and 1983. The racing record is basically a string of D.N.F.s and before the car could be thoroughly developed and sorted, the owner had moved onto another marque. This Group C, thought to be the last factory homologated racecar was parked outside the workshop of Auto Elite from 1984 until 2004 when its current owners liberated her and brought the sleeping giant to California for restoration. For more information and photos, please refer to the book, DeTomaso Macchine da Corsa by Philippe Olczyk on pages305, 306, 307 353 and 436. Our research and in the opinions of DeTomaso historians, this same chassis was originally bodied as the Group 5 Pantera that was raced at LeMans. Also featured in the book, DeTomaso the Man and the Machines.

Interior

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Miscellaneous

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Specifications

This car is not over-restored and the bodywork, frame and metal work has not been altered to look better than it was built or raced. Original parts that were replaced have been retained.
All paperwork and tech inspector notes from races as a Group C are included.
Fresh paint and new windshield
Rebuilt fuel cells and ZF transmission.
All suspension rebuilt.
Not raced since restored.
Rebuilt fuel cell, OMP seats and harnesses.
Ford 351 Cleveland with rare Ford aluminum manifold and original 180 degree headers
This is not a full race engine. A full race engine can be prepared if desired at extra cost.
Full crack-testing and race preparation is necessary before this car can enter competition. This has not been done. If your intention is to race this car, additional work will be needed to prepare this car to meet current racing requirements. The style of preparation of the car currently is in accordance with the methods of race car builder Ismo Sabattini who built this car for its former owners. We did not attempt to update the car. The suspension and safety systems of this car are the same as when it was last raced in the 80's. This is NOT a resto-mod, faux vintage racer that has the latest high-tech, go-fast components hidden under a rare body. The car shows battle-scars underneath to prove its provenance.
Please do not expect to purchase this automobile and expect to take it to the next vintage race you enter. Race preparation will be necessary before the car can be safely raced. However, you can expect to be able to enter this car in nearly every Historic Race you choose to enter because this is a very rare, authentic DeTomaso that is capable when fully developed, to win races.
For the serious collector or investor, simply leave the car as is and know that you have purchased a unique Pantera with a fascinating history.
Rare 19 inch rear wheels and 16 inch fronts- all from BBS with new Hoosier tires.
Many more photos available for the serious buyer.

Contact

Telephone - 760-731-8303 - California 9-6 PST M-F

It will certainly have to be a hardcore Pantera or Group C fan to buy this car, but it is pretty lovingly restored and certainly looks quite impressive. The BBS wheels are a great and classic look on just about anything, and the seller is right - they're quite valuable especially in shocking 19" rear configuration. Otherwise, this car is more show than go right now; if you really wanted to race in the historic Group C races you'd need some safety updates. It's probably better to leave the car as is; racing a car like this would both be expensive and hard on the chassis - and, honestly, it just can't really hold a candle to the competition it would line up against. But it's a neat oddity, a reminder of the inspiration that motorsport fosters, and above all just really cool.

-Carter

Maserati, Modern Classic, Zagato

1987 Maserati Biturbo Zagato

May 1, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

The Maserati Biturbo has always been a car that fascinated me; perhaps it's that I grew up in the 1980s where box-tacular designs were the norm, but there was something about the styling of the Biturbo that I always found appealing. It was tight and compact, sporty with enough flare that it really stood out. I was especially a fan of the dished wheels and still am. Compared to the somewhat oddly proportioned Quattroporte III, the Biturbo just looked right. That continued under the hood, where from a performance standpoint the Biturbo was fairly impressive; at least, on paper. In an era where 140-150 horsepower was considered "good", the twin turbocharged V6 put out a lofty 180 horsepower. Not all of that transferred into pulse-pounding performance, but still it was more than adequate for the time period; remember, that's more than some American V8s were pushing at the time. Still, the Biturbo didn't gain the best reputation, meaning you can pick up clean examples today for not much money, such as this clean example from Ocean Drive Motors:

Year: 1987
Model: Biturbo Zagato
Engine: 2.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 29,008 mi
Price: $9,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1987 Maserati Biturbo Zagato

1987 MASERATI BITURBO

MODEL: BITURBO ZAGATO
DRIVE TYPE: REAR WHEEL
CYLINDERS: 6
HORSEPOWER: 180.00 BHP (1325 KW) @ 6000.00 RPM
Hp / LITER: 90.0 BHP / LITER
FUEL FEED: FUEL INJECTED
BLOCK: ALUMINUM
HEAD: ALUMINUM

STOCK #: 8029
ODOMETER: 29,008 MILES
EXTERIOR COLOUR: SILVER
INTERIOR COLOUR: TAN
VIN #: ZAMPM1106HA331332
PRICE: $9,500.00
FEATURES: SERVICE RECORDS, NO RADIO, CONV. TOP NEEDS REPLACEMENT, RE-BUILT ELECTRICAL RELAY BOARD,

*VERY LOW MILEAGE – EXCELLENT SHAPE*

Though they look very similar to the sedan, the Spyder version of the Biturbo was styled by Zagato and rode on a shortened chassis, making it strictly a two seater. The color combination on this particular car is nice and understated; red and white were quite popular, so it's nice to see something a little different. While I'm not a fan of the overly-plush looking seats from 1980s Maseratis, overall the condition of this car inside and out is very clean. There are some needs, such as the replacement top, but if you're on a budget and want some unusual Italian fun in the sun, this Biturbo could be a fun sun project car. Overall it is priced pretty accurately in the marketplace for these Biturbos.

-Carter

Classic, De Tomaso

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta

April 5, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

The De Tomaso Mangusta was one of those great ideas; take a big, thumping American V8, mid-mount it in a Lotus-type chassis with a ZF 5-speed, get Giorgetto Giugiaro to design the body and Viola! Instant success. And from a styling and packaging standpoint, it was a success - the Mangusta is achingly beautiful with plenty of Giugiaro's unique styling details. Most notably and memorable for most are the Gullwing doors over the engine compartment which are enough alone to spur on the dreams of countless 5 year old car designers. "Yes, everything should have Gullwing doors!" But the Mangusta was notoriously a bad handling car, with nearly 70% of the weight out back. Still, that doesn't stop us from loving to look at them:

Year: 1969
Model: Mangusta
Engine: 5.0 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 96,285 mi
Price: $219,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1969 De Tomaso Mangusta

VIN: US69640
Mileage: 96285
Rebuilt 302 engine
Rebuilt polished ZF transmission
Aluminum original Competion wheels
Repainted red (originally a red car)
Rebuilt halfshafts
Rust free
2 owner car
Optima red top battery
Great driver!!!
Strong paint and body!

This car is presented very well and overall looks lovely. The description probably hides some truths; this isn't a condition one car, as the nearly 100,000 miles covered would testify to. Nevertheless, it's a very clean example overall. The price, however, is well outside the realm of reasonably for a Mangusta; at $219,000, it's priced over $50,000 higher than a top condition car these days, and nearly $100,000 higher than where it likely should be. I guess we're not the only ones dreaming over this Mangusta.

-Carter

Classic, De Tomaso

1974 De Tomaso Pantera

March 27, 2014 Graham

There were many examples of the Italians working together with the Americans to produce some memorable cars, but perhaps the most recognizable of these conglomerations is the De Tomaso Pantera. While it wasn't the first or last, the fastest or the most expensive, the Pantera somehow grabbed the attention of the motoring public as one of the best examples of Italian design mated to American power. Perhaps that had something to do with the length of time it was produced; the Pantera had a production run that would make the Beetle blush and more modifications by the end than the 911 enjoyed. Spanning 20 years of production, several generations of gearheads witnessed the Pantera thunder its way into the collective conscious of automotive history. And while by the 1980s the design seemed fairly dated and was clearly adorned with too many spoilers, early examples such as this 1974 remind us how clean the original design was:

Year: 1974
Model: Pantera
Engine: 5.7 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 18,500 mi
Price: $67,500 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1974 De Tomaso Pantera

1974 De Tomaso Pantera, A Classic Marriage of American Muscle ( Ford 351 C V-8) With the Italian coachwork of Ghia, This restored classic Pantera only has 18,500 miles and only a few hundred miles since restoration by previous owner. Refinished in Aston Martin Meterorite Silver Metallic ( originally the car was Silver metallic) with a Black original material interior. Excellent running engine with New Carb, fuel pump and delivery lines, new Ansa Exhaust, . Smooth shifting 5 speed ZF Transaxle. The Car features 2 sets of Wheels, A complete set of Original Campagnolo wheels freshly restored with correct Pirelli P7 tires front 225/50 VR-15 and the Rears 285/50 VR-15 - perfect for car show presentation , Also a Rare set of Boyd Coddington Custom 17' Campagnolo style Aluminum billet wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport fronts 235/40 ZR-17 and the Rear 335/35 ZR -17. The car also Features A/C - Vintage Blaupunkt AM-FM Cassette with power Ant. , Full original correct instruments, all working and in excellent condition. Car includes Space saver spare , Jack/Tool Roll , the original owners manual, spare keys, Ford Pantera Technical information book, 1971-74 Pantera original Ford Parts manual, and a Fitted car cover. Ready to show, drive and enjoy.Fully safety inspected.

We are a Connecticut Licensed Dealer, Connecticut residents subject to sales tax, Vehicle has a Clear Title , We charge no document fee's , and provide free 30 Day in transit plates ( out of state residents only) . Please contact use to arrange a test drive or viewing during our normal business hours. We can assist in shipping, Car is located in Berlin , CT 06037 860-438-7958

As with most exotic or semi-exotics, it's much better to buy a good example than one that's in need of a restoration. However, with the Pantera it's nice to be able to drive down to your local Ford dealer and get engine parts; try that in your Countach! This car isn't the original color but looks great in silver, and I really like the Coddington replica wheels - though I'd probably run the original Campagnolos. Overall condition is great, although it does lose some points for non-originality if you're looking for a condition 1 car. Still, it's not priced at a condition 1 level; at $67,500 it's in line with what a level 2 car would sell at and appropriately priced. Cheaper than many early Mustangs are now, this gives you a Lamborghini experience with Ford reliability and ease of sourcing parts. It's proof you don't have to spend a million dollars to look like you did!

-Carter

Maserati

1991 Chrysler TC by Maserati

March 18, 2013 Graham 1 Comment

Time has not been kind to the Chrysler TC by Maserati. This car is kind of like the Rodney Dangerfield of the automotive realm: it gets no respect. But unlike Dangerfield, there's nothing really funny about this vehicle. I saw one of these vehicles on the road over the weekend and it got me to thinking: exactly what kind of person collects a car like this? Someone who wants a Maserati on the cheap? Fans of orphan cars? Whatever the case may be, this convertible built on a K-car chassis that can attribute its existence between the bond forged when Lee Iacocca worked with Alejandro De Tomaso on the De Tomaso Pantera sports car is a rarely seen piece these days made up of an amalgam of parts from various suppliers and automotive manufacturers. In the three years it existed, it had three different engine and transmission combinations. This 1991 model for sale in Florida sports the Chrysler V6/4-speed automatic drivetrain.

1991 Chrysler TC by Maserati

Take a look at this 1991 Chrysler TC by Maserati convertible. A real collector's car! Everything is original. Everything works: leather interior, wood accent trim, power windows, door locks and mirrors, dual power seats, rear defogger, cruise control, A/C, AM/FM/Cass w/added CD player, gas release, adjustable steering column, removable hard top. Carfax verified 32,345 miles with a Carfax buyback guarantee.

Condition report: soft top goes up manually only, some wear on the leather seats and center console, see pictures.

It seems there are a fair amount of low mileage TCs out there, even though they made just 7,300 of these cars over its production run. Did those who snapped them up when new think this would be a future collector car? Who knows. Nowadays, you can get these on the cheap. The best TC might run you around $10,000 to $12,000. This example is certainly presentable with a few flaws - mainly the convertible top - that hold it back. Somewhere around $6,000 to $7,000 will probably take it.

-Paul

Maserati

1985 Maserati Biturbo

September 13, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

One of the most maligned Italian cars has returned to CICFS. The Maserati Biturbo was an effort to move the company from manufacturing high end supercars to producing sport luxury vehicles capable of bringing the fight squarely to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This Biturbo for sale in Philadelphia looks clean and is well documented. But should someone wanting to scratch that Maserati itch take a chance?

1985 Maserati Biturbo

Only 49k miles. One owner, no accidents, Autocheck certified. 5-speed manual, two turbochargers. Rear-wheel drive, luxury sports car. Air conditioning, leather, power windows, runs great!

With only one previous owner, this automobile is ready for you.The mileage represented on this vehicle is accurate.This is a smoke-free automobile.There are no signs of prior damage on this vehicle.There is no damage evident on this vehicle.All power equipment is functioning properly.The engine on this vehicle is running properly.

For a Biturbo, low mileage isn't always a plus as it is with other vehicles. As we've discussed at length, these cars were notoriously unreliable and are not looked upon favorably by enthusiasts of the marque or in general, for that matter. Sure, everything might be working now, but tomorrow, all hell could break loose. It's encouraging to see a slew of service receipts and $6,500 is cheap when it comes to Italian exotica. Potential buyers must realize, though, that their chances of nursing a Biturbo through a few thousand miles without fault is about as high as hitting 21 on the $100,000 Blackjack table.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

1986 Maserati Biturbo Spyder

March 18, 2012 Graham

Italian cars are known for not being the most reliable, but the Maserati Biturbo took this known quality to new heights. TIME Magazine listed the Biturbo as the Worst Car of the Year for 1984. Noted for the bad rap it garnered over the years in the motoring press, just what is it with the Biturbo? In the 1970s, the De Tomaso ownership at Maserati sought to move away from their lineup of high priced supercars and introduce a more affordable luxury car. Offered initially with a 2.5 liter twin turbo V6, the Spyder was built on a shorter wheelbase which served as the basis for the hardtop Karif variant. The Biturbo could best be described as being developed on a shoestring budget, and it showed. Almost every piece of this car was a constant source of headaches for its owners, from it's engine to the various bits of trim. Subsequently, these Maseratis can be had for pennies on the dollar, but is it worth it? Offered for sale here is a low mileage Spyder for sale in Massachusetts that makes one ponder whether it was a collector that owned it or it was in the shop so often the owner barely got to drive it.

1986 Maserati Biturbo Spyder

No description is provided by the seller, but if the mileage is correct, from the condition it looks like it could be a decent buy, provided a thorough mechanical inspection. The silver blue color with navy top is a nice alternative to the usual red. The interior needs a little bit of attention, specifically the leather on the seats, but if the mechanicals are sound enough and the seller can knock another $2,000 to $3,000 off the price, it would be a decent value for a brave enthusiast willing to take a chance on one of the most notoriously unreliable vehicles of our time.

-Paul

Modern Classic, Uncategorized

1985 de Tomaso Innocenti Turbo

February 18, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

If you catch yourself saying, well, the original Mini is just a bit boring for me, then meet its Italian cousin, the Innocenti Mini. Developed when British Leyland Motor Corporation owned Innocenti, this car was a revamped version of the original Mini with bodywork styled by Bertone. Upon BL’s bankruptcy in 1976, Innocenti was sold to de Tomaso, and a year later, the Mini de Tomaso arrived on the scene with styling tweaks and a higher horsepower engine. In the early 1980s, the BL engines were swapped for units supplied by Daihatsu, much to the dismay of Italian enthusiasts. The Turbo version we see here bowed in 1983, and featured a 993 cc three cylinder turbocharged engine good for about 71 horsepower, or 67 horsepower in Canadian trim. These were brought into Canada new via an importer by the name of Incacars Inc., but only from 1984 through 1986. This particular example for sale in Quebec City looks clean but is listed as a project car.

1985 de Tomaso Innocenti Turbo

Little is given in the way of a description for this vehicle, but I have a hard time seeing how this is a project car, as it looks rather complete. It could have mechanical issues, but as far as the bodywork, trim and interior go, it looks solid. Since the Charade was sold in North America, parts would not be as difficult to source as one may think. One could also go the unconventional route and fit a breathed on engine from a period Mini Cooper as well. Either way, this is a neat piece of automotive history that has the fingerprints of several manufacturers on it. With such a chequered history, it is amazing that these lived on in production until 1993.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1976 De Tomaso Longchamp

February 1, 2012 Graham

Known best for the Pantera sports car with Ford's 351 Cleveland V8 mounted amidship, De Tomaso was also in the business of producing luxury cars in the 1970s and 1980s. Relegated to automotive obscurity these days, the Longchamp was a personal luxury coupe based off the Deauville, a sedan which carried the appearance of a squared off Jaguar XJ sedan. The Longchamp featured the same Ford 351 Cleveland motor as the Pantera and most of the 409 examples built had a Ford 3 speed automatic transmission. De Tomaso happened to own Maserati during most of the Longchamp's production run, and the Maserati Kyalami, built from 1977 through 1983, was based on this coupe. Named after the South African Grand Prix track, the Kyalami eschewed Ford's 351 Cleveland in favor of the 4.2 liter or 4.9 liter Maserati quad cam V8 engines. This example for sale has had the same owner for 15 years and looks sharp in red over tan leather.

1976 DeTomaso Longchamp

1976 De Tomaso Longchamp Red with tan interior 81,000 kilometers, or about 50,000 miles. The engine is a Ford 351 Cleveland engine that produces 330 horse power fitted with an automatic transmission. The Top speed is 149 miles per hour. Suspension is independent front and rear with coil spring and wishbone suspension. Steering is power assisted rack and pinion with vented disc brakes all around, the rear discs being positioned inboard. The interior of the car is quite luxurious and is almost fully covered with leather and this car has the original Nardi wood steering wheel.

Handsome exterior designed by Tom Tjaarda of Ghia. Only 409 examples of this car were made making this car very rare. This example has had the same owner for 15 years, he carefully cared for it doing such things as rebuilding the power steering rack and having the wheels redone. Except for some minor cosmetic flaws, the car is in very nice condition. The great thing about these cars is that you can own what is truly an exotic and rare grand touring car but because they used an American engine in the car, you don't have to worry about expensive service or engine rebuilt costs. These cars are a great value, especially at $32,500.

The first time I laid eyes on a Longchamp, it struck me as a scaled up version of a Mercedes-Benz R107 SL with the European market headlights. Coincidentally, these cars had similar production runs; both cars were produced from 1972 through 1989. While I wouldn't file this car under cheap thrills, $32,500 is a lot less coin than one would pay for a similar vintage Ferrari or Lamborghini. With its Ford engine, drivetrain maintenance would clearly be more reasonable than those aforementioned Italian exotics.

-Paul