The less known prancing horse species

Lesser KNOWN After the war, the prancing horse logoed racing cars were known to have always dominated various prestigious racing events in the world. Especially with the launch of the Ferrari 250 GT LWB (Long Wheel Base) in 1954, and the Ferrari domination continued at the end of 1959 by the launching 250 GT SWB (Short Wheel Base) variant. Unfortunately, the Ferrari's domination was recede slowly in 1962 when the 250 GTO varian been born.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

Times are changing, especially with the introduction of mid-mounted engines in the 1950s which significantly changed the outlook of the sport and made many of the previously dominating racing cars obsolete, including the Ferrari 250 GT and 250 GTO. 

Again, the Maranello-based car manufacturer seems late to anticipate and respond these technical innovations, just look at they were overtaken by Maserati, its arch-rival whose first built the first and successful mid-engined sports car called the Maserati Tipo 63 powered by a V6 engine in 1961.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

Instead, the first mid-engined car made by the prancing horse logoed auto manufacturer was the Ferrari 156, a F1 racing car which successfully won the 1961 F1 Championship event in both the driver and constructor categories. By the determination and ambition to reclaim the old domination once won through the 250 GT, Ferrari finally decided to build a completely new car called Ferrari 250 LM and designed by Pininfarina.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

The new car is based on the Ferrari 250 P, which is predicted to be very suitable for GT racing after had some modifications. Although at first glance they look similar, the Ferrari 250 P and 250 LM have a very striking difference namely the roof addition and chassis tube, made of higher gauge of steel for extra rigidity.

The Ferrari 250 LM was first launched to the public at the 1963 Paris Auto Show (Paris Auto Salon), and soon the production version was built by the Maranello-based car manufacturer in 1964. There is a difference between the 250 LM car show version and the production version, namely the engine displacement.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

In the 250 LM show car version still used the GTO derived 3 litre engine, therefore it still deserves to be called 250 LM when referring to the name. Meanwhile, the production version uses the a bored 3.3 liter engine version. When referred to the tradition of naming Ferrari cars, the production version of the car should be called the 275 LM, but for commercial and homologation reasons the 250 was used.

The Ferrari 250 LM homologation request was rejected by the FIA in 1964, because (they assumed) Ferrari would never ever produce the 250 LM as many as 100 units as required. In the end, it turned out that Ferrari only built 32 units of the 250 LM, it's proves that the FIA's opinion is correct.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

With the GT homologation refusal, the Ferrari 250 LM only qualified for the race in the prototype class, where it was up against more sophisticated rivals from its own stable. But it does not necessarily dampen the 250 LM's steps to performing and made shiny achievements on the racing track, and in 1964, 10 victories were scored out from 35 entries.

In 1965, as many as 5 units of 250 LM cars were brought to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans arena by privateers. At that time, the efforts of the Ferrari and Ford prototypes failed due to poor reliability, on the other hand, the NART raced with the 250 LM, managed to get its best win, plus two of the other four cars finished in the second and sixth. Although the 250 LM was not as successful as its predecessors, at least it managed to secure Ferrari's last overall the 24 Hours of Le Mans victory and to this day it has a special place in the hearts of Ferrari fans. 

With a limited production number of only 32 units, of course, making it one of the prized and rare of the prancing horse logoed sports cars. For this reason that a number of the 250 LM replicas were built, and it became chaotic when the original serial number was used on the replicas then makes many were confused. One thing is for sure, there are more than 250 LMs in existence today than originally left the factory. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]

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The first Costin-bodied Lister to be powered by Chevrolet race car

Unique ONES The world's racing car history has always been decorated with many remarkable four-wheeled vehicles which were specially made and designed by many capable designers and engineers based on science and technology according to its era. As the result, not infrequently from those R&D process there's a vehicle is born that looks unique and amazed many people while said, 'How come?'

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner was designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, and powered by the Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

The unique-shaped racing cars began to appear a lot in the racing season of 1950s and have continued until now. And one of them is the cynical-gazed Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner race car of the 1959 and had a fierce performances on the circuits. It's said that the Lister Costin Chevrolet race car represented a new direction for the British Brian Lister's car maker company through the slippery streamliner body was designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, and powered by the Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner is instantly recognizable by its low, streamlined bodies, which shows a striking difference from the previous Lister's 'Knobbly' design with its large wheel arches. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

As we already know, that Frank Costin is a former engineer at the de Havilland Aircraft Company and also known as one of the leading minds at adapting aircraft aerodynamics to racing cars. Previously, he had worked for Lotus on an advanced bodywork development project for the Lotus Mark VIII. If You wanna see several of Costin-designed cars, here they are ie the 1957 Maserati 450S Costin-Zagato Coupe, and 1970 Costin Amigo.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner has extraordinary abilities so that it becomes the holder of the highest Top Speed among its Lister-badged brethren. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

And in 1958, he was hired by Brian Lister to develop a new, more aerodynamic body for the Lister car. Reportedly, as part of the agreement between those two men that mentioned if Frank Costin designed a body for the 1958 car, so he would be allowed to design an entirely new frame for it. It's the first car to be powered by a Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. In appearance, the Costin-designed race car is instantly recognizable by its low, streamlined bodies, which shows a striking difference from the previous Lister's 'Knobbly' design with its large wheel arches.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner 1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner's cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

As quoted of DriveTribe, the OHV Corvette V8 engine is well mounted behind the front axle for optimal weight distribution and the top is covered with 8 mesh-covered velocity stacks that serve as an air cleaner. Then, its exhaust exits into long-tube headers that run to tubular mufflers on either side of the car, and there’s a rear-facing scoop on the bonnet to ensure plenty of cool air to feed the American V8.

For the car construction, most Lister cars of the time used a similar tubular ladder chassis, a de Dion rear axle, and inboard drum brakes (but with a few exceptions). The body is made of lightweight aluminum with a tiled front hood to allow track side mechanics to have plenty of access to the engine room, and the cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner's cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

The Costin designed car is also touted as a streamliner prototype which is famous for being more aerodynamically slippery than other Lister designs. Besides that, the 1959 car has extraordinary abilities so that it becomes the holder of the highest Top Speed among its Lister-badged brethren, this is understandable partlly due to the use of the latest American V8 engine.

And in 1959, the car with the chassis number of BHL 121 was purchased in new by John Ewers, and also raced on several circuits during that season at Crystal Palace (as number 64), Silverstone (as number 1), and in the following year at the Goodwood B.A.R.C. Members’ Meeting (number 98), where he enters a Whitsun Cup and Whitsun handicap race.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner is real one-of-a-kind, and could be provided a front-running entry at many of the prestigious historic motoring events on its hey day. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

Then in 1960, the Lister's race car was then sent to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), because it was bought by Mr. Jimmy de Villiers, who had it campaigned in Africa by driver John Love. After a lengthy stay in sub-Saharan Africa, the BHL 121 found its way to America, where it's raced extensively on the west coast. Eventually the car was brought back to England after finished a comprehensive restoration by Canepa Design, a company based in California.

And throughout 2015 and 2016, the car had seen to public while driven by its owner in that time to be raced at the Goodwood Revival in 2015 and 2016, the Goodwood Members' Meeting 2015, and the Donington Historic Festival 2016. After that in the 2019, the car had been known to be offered through the Fiskens in London. This is real one-of-a-kind, and could be provided a front-running entry at many of the prestigious historic motoring events on its hey day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FISKENS | SILODROME | DRIVETRIBE ]

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The tale about the Round Doors Roll

Legendary ONES It becomes something interesting to discuss, when there is a classic car that is touted as one of the legendary models made by the famous brand of Roll-Royce. As we know that in addition to producing super luxury vehicles, Roll-Royce is also known as an aircraft engines manufacturer.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

By hearing the brand name, some of us will immediately imagine it is a luxury vehicle. It is undeniable that the British brand has been synonymous with luxury vehicles for a long time. Various models have been launched by the British brand and all of them are labeled luxury and are always side by side with kings, state leaders, nobles, and millionaires who are known and registered as the users.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

For your information, the brand has a special characteristic attached on every its car products, the bonnet ornament sculpture called the Spirit of Ecstasy. It is in the form of a woman leaning forwards with her arms outstretched behind and above her. Billowing cloth runs from her arms to her back, resembling wings.

One model that bears the title of the most beautiful Rolls-Royce car ever graced our eyeballs is the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll Actually, this is not the original car made by the British automotive manufacturer, but has undergone a bodywork overhaul carried out by Jonckheere Carrossiers,  a coachbuilder company of Belgium (the company still exists today as VDL Jonckheere).

In our opinion, the 1925 Jonckheere coupe could be compared to the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic which also looks like carries a similar design because it originates from the era of 1920s and 1930s as well.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

Indeed, custom coachbuilding in the 1920s and 1930s has become a self-expression form for the rich and famous make their owned vehicles looks unique and special. Well, in the hands of the Belgium coachbuilder, the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I standard model experienced a drastic bodywork change into what is arguably the most ominous Rolls-Royce coachwork ever created.

The 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll uses the typical Phantom I straight 6 restored engine (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O7tT4i)

As qouted of thetruthaboutthecars.com, initially this car started its life as 1925 Phantom I model with the stately Hooper cabriolet body, but was never delivered to its original Detroit purchaser for unknown reasons. Instead, it was later sold as a new car to Raja of Nanpara in northern India. After that, the Phantom I passed through several more owners before making its way to Belgium in 1932. Two years later the car found itself at the Jonckheere Carrossiers workshop undergoing an extensive makeover.

 

As quoted from heacockclassic.com, the fashionable aerodynamic fastback body fitted on the Phantom I today is undoubtedly inspired by the luxury French chassis and coachwork from designers such as Jacques Saoutchik, Joseph Figoni, and the house of Letourneur et Marchand. Some of the elements attached to this exotic coupe suggest that the Jonckheere Carrossiers have done something different in modifying a  Roll-Royce car and not many other designers or coachbuilders of the day had done.

Look how beautiful chrome and woodwork proudly displayed on the dashboard inside the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O7tT4i)

At the time, there's very few designers considered (even dared) to modify the traditional Roll-Royce vertical grille, but look at what the Jonckheere did by a more streamlined profile for the new Phantom's body, coupled with a pair of bullet-shaped headlamps, flowing fenders and a long vertical tail fin under the boot lid finish off the sleek contours. That's an exotic touch and significantly made it appeared very different from the original Roll-Royce Phantom I model.

While others are still experimenting with oval doors, Jonckheere has boldly applied the unique, large round doors which operate flawlessly as the passenger access into one of the rows of seats. However, this round shape present an issue for operating windows. The solution was to fabricate a two piece window that simultaneously split like scissors down into the door.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

This car is nearly 20 feet long, so it can be called the largest 2-door coupe ever existed. Too bad a few years later the Jonckheere's workshop caught fire leaving all work records destroyed, so it remains unknown who commissioned or designed this one-of-a-kind automotive masterpiece.😭

Although this car is not a favored design by most die-hard Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, but throughout the existence of this car in the world, countless achievements have been made by it in winning over the Concours d’Elegance judge’s hearts.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

Before the 2nd World War, the car landed in the United States after passed through several other owners. Reportedly, it was fell into disrepair due to negligence of the owner, but fortunately it was found again in the 1950s but in near derelict condition. This car was later acquired by Max Obie, an East Coast entrepreneur and early classic enthusiast. 

The car is refurbished by him and painted it gold with several pounds of actual gold flake added to the paint for maximum visual impact. After that the Round Doors Roll lived its life as a show car spiced with fake rumours, which was said once owned by King Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor. Max Obie's trick seems to have succeeded in attracting the press interest to expose the car and make it a money-making machine for him through much like a freak show.😒

After that the car went through several owner changes, culminating in the early 1990s, when a Japanese collector bought it at an auction for around $1.5 million. In the 2001, the Petersen Automotive Museum bought it for an unknown price in 2001.

For those of you who are still curious whether the Round Doors Roll is really a real car, You should come to see it on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS | LEITHCARS | HEACOCKCLASSIC ]

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Ferrari Aliante Barchetta Concept

Concept ONLY It seems that today, the Ferrari became some kind of a guarantee for certainity of the best exotic premium four-wheeled vehicle which is offering fierce performance as well. So it is not surprising that the prancing horse sports car enthusiasts are also special people who certainly have abundant treasures whose willing to spend much their money to have it.

The Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano which is intended to pay homage to the past generations of sports cars. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

It's like a masterpiece created from a neat blend of millions of premium components with the touch of the great talents of designers and engineers at its Maranello-based factory. Well, it also indicates that not just anyone capable to create a beautiful car design concept worthy of wearing the Ferrari's prancing horse emblem on the hood.

The following neat design concept of a prancing horse logoed sports car was the personal work of a Spanish automotive designer named Daniel Soriano. This imaginary sports car figure created by him is named the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta, which is intended to pay homage to the past generations of sports cars.

Right left side of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

Currently, Daniel Soriano working as as Concept Surface Designer at the Swedish's car brand, Volvo. The designer said that the car design background just because he thinks most modern cars that exist today are like soulless machines with more resemblance to electrodomestics than real cars.

He further said that all of this depends on performance figures, thus a great car cannot be measured or calculated. So with this car is the embodiment of his desire to make something pure, light and simple. The concept is based on the Ferrari Aliante project worked by Daniel Soriano along with Arun Kumar and Magnus Grettve for the 2011 IED and presented at the Ferrari World Design Contest.

Here's instrument cluster view of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

After seven years, he decided to update the design as a personal challenge to evaluate his growth as a designer with many professional experience in Lamborghini, Volvo, Polestar and others. Eventually he decided to redesign and remodel the car from scratch, dubbing it the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta.

Bird eyes view of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

The concept car structure built of a carbon fiber monocoque with integrated seats. The body integrates a number of some active aerodynamic elements including  big scoops, spoiler and diffuser and there are no doors, no windows and no roof.

Rear view of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

Then the designers proposed that the concept is powered by a compact, high revving naturally aspirated inline V12 engine coupled with independent throttle bodies, manual gearbox and has no electronic driving aids.

If this concept car be realized into a real car, then you can imagine when it runs on the streets, it will give a typical premium roadster driving sensation that pampers the two occupants with gentle breeze of winds combined with fierce pounding of its V12 engine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARBODYDESIGN ]

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Elation Freedom, 2022(?)

Concept ONLY The development of electric-powered super vehicles is increasingly attracting the interest of players in the automotive industry, both old players and new players. This is also done by an American automotive startup company named Elation Hypercars.

The Elation Hypercars has revealed the Freedom, its first production hypercar set to launch in a few years’ time with gasoline and electric powertrains to choose from. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3jdDrpO)

The company was founded in 2014 by three founders, namely Carlos Satulovsky, Mauro Saravia, and Pablo Barragan with a simple vision. They would build a hypercar which could capture the singular feeling of purist driving: elation.

The Elation Freedom electric-powered hypercar uses a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, no wonder its weighs around 3,637 lbs or around 1,650 kilograms. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

Six years later, the dream has become a reality. Well, recently there's a hyper electric-powered vehicle was successfully created by this American startup company and named Elation Freedom. And it's also said that the California-based startup will be the first American local company to produce a luxury electric-powered hypercar for the United States market.

The Elation Freedom hypercar presents a fighter jet-inspired cockpit inspired inside its cabin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

This extraordinary electric-powered vehicle was made by Carlos Satulovsky and Mauro Saravia, assisted by the company's tecnical division whose have many experienced experts of the Formula One, and other European racings, as a result this car is claimed to have various advantages.

The Elation Freedom hypercar has gullwing doors and also a fairly large-sized wing on the back. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

By using a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, it's no wonder the Freedom weighs around 3,637 lbs or around 1,650 kilograms. However, without the motor or battery pack, the weight drops to 2,850 lbs. 

When viewed its exterior, as quoted of Carscoops, this electric-powered hypercar has quite striking looks because it has gullwing doors and also a fairly large-sized wing on the back.

The standard variant of the Elation Freedom electric-powered hypercar will use three electric motors producing up to 1,414 hp of power. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

If You entering the cabin, the hypercar presents a fighter jet-inspired cockpit inspired. It is equipped with the digital instrument cluster, plus with a minimalist-looking middle section that's entirely made of carbon fiber. In addition, the potential customers are given the chance to choose materials to cover the car's cabin, ranging from premium genuine leather, precious metals, to gemstones.

The standard variant of the Elation Freedom electric-powered hypercar costs around the US. $2 million or Rp. 28 billion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

The hypercar base model will have three electric motors producing up to 1,414 hp of power. Not only that, the California-based company also plans to offer an additional electric motor so that this car has a maximum power of 1,903 hp. With its maximum power, the car able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 1.8 seconds, and run up to its top speed of 418 kilometers per hour. Wow!

Then to support its performance, this hypercar is also equipped with two options T-shaped lithium-ion battery packs, each with a capacity of 100 kWh and 120 kWh. So the electric-powered hypercar is claimed to be able to run as far as 483 km to 644 km according to the battery pack it uses.

Rear view of the Elation Freedom hypercar. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

One more thing, if you are not happy enough with the electric drivetrain, then the Elation Freedom will offer You another variant called Elation Freedom Iconic Collection that uses an Audi-sourced 5.2 litre V10 engine which able to spew power up to 750 hp and 664 Nm of torque. 

The engine power will be channeled to the four wheels through the 7-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox. Unfortunately, the car's performance becomes little bit slow, with 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.2 seconds and a top speed of only 221 mph. But as far as we know, that performance figures still includes the hypercar capabilities. This indicates that the Freedom Iconic variant still deserves to be said as a hypercar.

Regarding the price, the American startup company mentions that the Freedom standard variant costs around the US. $2 million or Rp. 28 billion, while the Freedom Iconic variant is priced at $ 2.3 million or Rp.32 billion. But there’s no mention of when to expect deliver. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ELATION HYPERCARS | CARSCOOPS | MOTORTREND | TOPSPEED ]

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De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV Prototype

ONE-OFF In the 1960s there were two big names in the automotive world, Alejandro De Tomaso and Caroll Shelby who were known to have worked together. Both of them have similar backgrounds were former racing drivers turned automakers with almost the same philosophy of making European light cars with excellent handling and adding a hefty American V8 drivetrain.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype was the only one ever made. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

De Tomaso and Shelby worked together in at least two car projects which was later transformed into the De Tomaso Sports 5000 and De Tomaso P70 prototypes. However, after the failure of the P70 project, the two later separated, as it is known that Shelby managed the Ford GT40 Le Mans program and De Tomaso developed his own car which later known as the Mangusta.

The "Shelby MkV" badging on the grille and unusual paint scheme are indicators that this is no ordinary Mangusta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

As quoted of Carscoops, the original Mangusta car design was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro when he was still working at Carrozzeria Ghia and was originally intended to be a model for the new Iso Rivolta car. For some reason, Iso's boss at the time Renzo Rivolta rejected the design and then Alejandro De Tomaso immediately bought the design for his own use. He later named it as the 'Mangusta,' an Italian word for 'mongoose.'

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype is finished in bright red with white racing stripes, a rear spoiler, side scoops and "Shelby MK V" badging. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The mongoose is the only animal that hunts, kills and eats cobras. It is not known whether the car naming has anything to do with Caroll Shelby, who at that time appeared with a car brand called Shelby Cobra. Or maybe with the Manguta name, De Tomaso wants to show the competition between himself and Shelby.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype was a well-equipped vehicle with air conditioning and power windows, leather seats, and ample instrumentation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

Uniquely, in the De Tomaso Mangusta car development, it again involved the Caroll Shelby name when the car was sent to the United States for evaluation by Ford, one of the American car manufacturers. At that time, the car, which was named De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V, was painted, given the distinctive Shelby badge and was predicted to be the successor of the famous Ford GT40 Mark IV. However, after being examined by the Ford executives and was decided to reject the car design.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype cabin features a black leather interior with a gated shifter for rowing gears, controls for the power window lifts and air conditioning. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The De Tomaso Mangusta made its first public appearance at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, shortly after the car returned from America. It is believed that only one De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV was ever built, then the De Tomaso Mangusta production version was made as much as 401 units between 1967 and 1971. The car sits on a steel backbone chassis with a load-bearing and uses a rear-mid mounted Ford V8 engine.

The De Tomaso P70 steel backbone chassis, a modified version was used on the Mangusta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

For the engine, it is known that there are 2 types of V8 engines used in the De Tomaso Mangusta cars, namely the 208 cu.in. engine which was originally used on models produced for the European market, while for the American model used the 302 cu.in. But in later production cycles the entire car was fitted with a 302 cu.in engine. In addition, the car is also equipped with the independent front-rear suspensions, disc brakes on all four corners, rack and pinion steering, and a five-speed ZF transaxle to send the engine power to the rear wheels.

Beneath the rear gullwing hatches resides a Boss 302 Ford engine, professed to be built by Shelby American, and is fitted with finned "DeTomaso" valve covers and a current jackshaft to operate the alternator and standard air conditioning compressor. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The car's interior is described as comfortable for people under 6 feet tall and a little tight for those above it. It was a well-equipped vehicle with air conditioning and power windows, leather seats, and ample instrumentation. As well as the stunning good looks of the Mangusta, perhaps the most famous of which is the gullwing bay rear door which both opens to offer excellent engine access on both sides.

The Mangusta has unusual engine bay lids that can both open fully to give excellent access. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

And it given a distinctive livery of red with white racing stripes and carrying the Shelby MkV bathing front and rear, indicates that the car is a unique piece of automotive history that many don’t know about. If you are a true automotive enthusiast and dreaming of a truly valuable car, then this one is the right choice.

Especially considering the high prices of the original Ford GT40 and Shelby Cobras. Now you have the opportunity to own it or even just to see it at the Mecum Auction list. And reportedly the De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV prototype car will be sold at auction with prices ranging from the US. $ 300,000 to $ 350,000. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | SILODROME | MECUM AUCTION ]

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