Qvale Mangusta 1999 - World Of Classic Cars -

Qvale Mangusta 1999

Inspired by the United Kingdom’s TVR, Alejandro de Tomasso teamed up with noted ex-Lamborghini and Maserati designer Marcello Gandini to create a new, bespoke coupé with a removable three-position fixed/targa/convertible roof, which was initially called the Biguà.
The coupé, powered by Ford Motor Company’s then-new modular 4.6-litre V-8 engine, rode on a chassis penned by former Formula One designer Enrique Scalabroni, and its high-tech resin transfer moulding body panels put the Biguà in the company of the Alfa Romeo SZ and Lotus Elan M100.

Qvale Mangusta 1999

With volume in mind, de Tomaso teamed up with Maserati’s North American importer, Bruce Qvale (son of imported car legend Kjell Qvale), to sell the car in the United States. However, the two sides had a falling out that subsequently saw the sporty car renamed to Qvale Mangusta before it went on sale in 2000. Fewer than 300 examples were sold during the first years of the 21st century, and most of them wound up in North America.
However, Mangusta number 0001 remained in Italy with its original owners. This first Qvale Mangusta is resplendent in metallic red over beige leather, and it shows just over 3,000 kilometres from new. It is presented in essentially showroom condition and practically no wear is evident, which indicates that this first Mangusta has led a particularly sheltered life since it was delivered. It has been owned since new by a family deeply involved in the vintage Italian car industry, and it represents a particularly interesting bookend to Alejandro de Tomaso’s intriguing life with cars and his creations.