De Tomaso Mangusta (EVO)

Chicago enthusiast acquired a 1968 Mangusta that someone had cut the chassis / backbone and drivetrain out of and used that as a basis for a mid-engine fiberglass kit car. (that part of it is long lost now) The remains hanging for almost 40 years from the ceiling were the exterior bodywork, glass and some trim and all are in excellent condition. It was bought at an estate sale and hundreds of people had walked beneath it without seeing what it was nor even asking the price! Too far gone to restore it given the costs involved -vs.- what it would be valued for. So new tubular chassis, drivetrain, suspension, firewall, fuel cell, interior and more is required to get it back onto the road. Resto-Mod time!

New owner (brother of a customer I’ve done work for) requested a few visual details changes on the bodywork but nothing crazy as all the time and energy will be spent on the drivetrain itself and the Italian design itself is already elegant. Thus no wings, spoilers, ground affect tunnels, etc — keep it simple and of the era. CAD (Solidworks) for the new tubular chassis is finished and the wooden molds for the 17″ and 19″ cast aluminum wheels have been made and poured and are at heat treatment now. (They will be machined upcoming for the knockoffs, hub drivepins holes and tire beads)