DeTomaso Mailing List: March 2000, Message #189

Curt wrote:

> Still, it will just never be and original Mangusta to me.  Maybe
> some year they will "re-design" this Mangusta to be a mid-engine
> 2 seater!
>
> Curt T.
> 1TO9 MPG
>
> It is true that it will never be an original Mangusta, but how many
people, even enthusiast, have ever seen an original Mangusta?  They only
imported less than 500 if I remember correctly, most of those are now gone.
The DeTomaso marque is best known for the Pantera in America.  For the
masses, the new Mangusta will bring to the forefront the DeTomaso name as a
new breed of sportscar.  If the new Mangusta, (Biqua), is successful  in
it's introduction, then many new people will join the ranks of DeTomaso
followers.  When, (IF), this occurs, most current P-car owners get to reap
the benefits of the renewed interest in the marque.  ( The value of yer car
increases, Bubba).  Every marque that has been successful has strayed and
tried new ideas from time to time.  Take for example, Porsche's foray into
the 924, 944, and 928.  These were radically different from the purist view
of the aircooled, rearengine sportscar the marque was famous for producing.
The battlecries were sounded and everybody resisted the new machines.
Porsche didn't make out too bad.  More people saw, heard about, and owned a
Porsche, and the recognition spread to new generations of owners.  The truth
is that Porsche could not rely on strictly the 911 series to continue to be
the only Porsche car in the market.  They needed to attract new blood and a
wider range of Porsche buyers.  The same is true for the Mangusta.  As
originally designed, it is a pretty flawed automobile.  Poor frame,
suspension problems, heating problems, hard to work on, etc. etc.  Would you
really expect a manufacturer to produce a twin to the old Mangusta?  Would
you sink your money into a project like this?  Rather, let's admire the new
Mangusta for what it is, a new DeTomaso automobile with an old, (charished
because I never owned one),  name.  I, for one, am really glad to see the
new Mangusta and am especially proud to see the Qvale-Huffaker TA team take
the reins in their teeth.  (Who knows, maybe someday I'll get to run a
Pantera or Mangusta in World Challenge, rather than a Saleen Mustang)  I'm
off of my soapbox, now, apologies in advance to those whom I might offend.
My 8 pesos from El Paso.

Steve R. Carvajal
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