My Review of the Qvale Mangusta

My Review of Qvale Mangusta

Somewhat Flawed but Wonderfully Unique: My Experience with the Qvale Mangusta


Let me start with a quote from car appraiser Donald Osborne, as shared on a recent episode with Jay Leno: “As you know, I spend my life valuing cars, but what their value is, is not important to me. What makes them interesting or not interesting is what matters.” This perfectly sums up the Qvale Mangusta for me. Love it or hate it, it’s undeniably interesting.


After several weeks with the Mangusta, I can confidently say this car’s positives far outweigh its flaws. While it has its quirks, they add to its charm. Let’s break it down.


Criticisms: The Flaws We Love to Hate

• Wind Buffeting: In Targa form, there is more buffeting than I would like. As a convertible, though, it’s a joy.
• Trunk Space: Limited at best. The rear seats feel unnecessary; a shelf behind the front seats (like in an Audi R8 or Lotus Emira) would’ve been more practical.
• Roll Hoops: Were they unnecessary or were they not mandated at release?
• Weight: Surprisingly heavy for a car with Lotus engineering input.
• Steering Wheel: Too large for a sports car and steering feedback is not as sharp as you would like
• Seating Position: You sit too high for a car of this type.
• Flat Engine Hood: Raised fenders would improve visibility and aesthetics, similar to a Porsche or TVR Griffith or De Tomaso Vallelunga.
• Asymmetry in Door Pockets: Why does the passenger get a pocket while the driver doesn’t? I have pocket envy. I have stuff too
• Pop-Up Headlights: These would’ve been a stunning addition, set them in like a BMW 850 CSi, but perhaps regulations got in the way.
• The valve stems look like a lot of work just to test tire pressure or inflate but perhaps all part of the uniqueness

Praises: What Makes the Mangusta Shine

• Comfortable Seats: Supportive and perfect for long drives. I was surprised at how comfortable they are
• Balanced Chassis: Remarkably well-balanced for a front-engine car. Very stiff. Hard to get back end to break loose, even with the supercharger
• Shifter Placement: Positioned slightly up in the dash, perfect placement for me.
• Leather Interior: Superlative craftsmanship, hand-stitched in Modena. Reeks leather and of Italian craftsmanship. You would think car was made in a leather factory- just leather everywhere - Ferrari had nothing on this interior
• Pedal Box: spaced well - Ideal for heel-and-toe driving, cool with the aluminum pedals.
• Parking Brake - love it has a proper handbrake- not best location for it though
• Rear View: how can I put this … what a “great ass” — wide, aggressive, and commanding.
• Roto-Top: Ingeniously transforms the car into a coupe, targa, or convertible. It’s so cool that you get 3 cars in 1 - a coupe, a targa, and convertible- so innovative - name another car that offers this with an electric roof that retracts into car - not a one I can think of. Coolest way to go from targa to full convertible of any car.
• Aerodynamic Mirrors: Unique circular design adds flair and functionality. I find myself looking through them and watching road whip by.
• Driving Dynamics: Solid, engaging, and capable of handling extra power with ease.
• Sound: The supercharged coupled with Borla custom piping and exhaust makes V8 growl like a proper GT car.

A Rare and Undervalued hidden Gem


The Qvale Mangusta is an oddball, a car so rare that even seasoned enthusiasts often don’t recognize it. With only 284 units produced, it shares its exclusivity with icons like the Shelby Series 1 and Spyker C8. Yet, its value has remained static at around $28,000 — baffling for a car with such pedigree. Just look at the Italian Chefs who cooked this car up:

• Italian Roots: Designed by Marcello Gandini (of Lamborghini Miura fame and lots of other noted cars). You have Alejandro de Tomaso who headed the project, Maserati technical director Giordano Casarini and Scalabroni - see below
• F1 Engineering: Chassis by Enrique Scalabroni (of Dallara and Ferrari fame) built with precision by Vaccari & Bosi.
• Unique Design: The roto-top, wheel arches, and quad exhaust make it unforgettable.
• Performance: A front-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout powered by a Ford SVT V8.

Why hasn’t the Mangusta risen in value? Some argue it’s due to name recognition. If it had retained the De Tomaso badge instead of switching to Qvale, perhaps its trajectory would be different. It’s comparable to other undervalued gems like the Alfa Romeo SZ, which took decades to gain appreciation. But in essence it was badged by Qvale but its DNA is DeTomaso. After all there weren’t any significant changes after he introduced it at the 1998 Geneva Auto Show as the DeTomaso Bigua.


Driving the Mythical Phoenix

Behind the wheel, you’re reminded of its rich heritage. The tubular frame and laser-cut steel chassis offer confidence through corners. The leather interior whispers “Modena craftsmanship.” The supercharged V8 delivers raw, unfiltered power. It’s a car for purists, with a heavy clutch and manual transmission demanding attention. No ABS, no traction control, no buttons to switch on or off. Just you and the car. There are however air bags.

Stopped at a Traffic Light, you’ll find yourself admiring its quirks: the Gandini-designed arches, the aero mirrors, and the fact that it looks like nothing else on the road. It attracts so much attention. I’ve owned a Ferrari’s and Porsche’s and this car gets as much, if not more attention. Most conversations start like this, “I’m a die hard car guy, and I know cars, but I’ve never seen one of these, what the heck is it……” Others, including car salesman, and valets assume it’s a brand-new car because they’ve never seen one before. The Mangusta is timeless. It’s almost like it’s stuck in time because they only made 284 over a 3 year run. And because they never see them, it’s like seeing a white peacock. It’s just so rare.


Summation - Love It or Hate It: The Mangusta Experience

The Mangusta provokes strong reactions, much like the famous Seinfeld “Kramer portrait” episode:

Mr. Armstrong: He is a loathsome, offensive brute... yet I can't look away.

Mrs. Armstrong: He transcends time and space.

Mr. Armstrong: He sickens me.

Mrs. Armstrong: I love it.

Mr. Armstrong: Me too.

And so it is with the Qvale Mangusta. It’s flawed, quirky, and wonderfully unique. I can’t look away, and I love it too. I feel privileged to be part of such an exclusive ownership group. Happy motoring!




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I should have mentioned that I bought from a car collector in California who put $$$ into car last fall. A resto mod - last year of production they experimented with supercharger and tremec 56 six speed gear box. So my take may be slightly different from non SC and borg Warner 5 speed. He installed both in this car so making over 400 HP. Love the shorter gearing - a complaint on my 718 Spyder and love to heel and toe this car.