Reply to "WTB: 1969 Mangusta"

Matt,

There is no such thing as a "BOSS" Mangusta. The car either does not have the original engine, or the seller is "enhancing" his description of his standard 302 by stating it is a BOSS motor (would not surprise me). Mangustas usually came fitted with a 302 but some early and Euro cars had a 289 (although probably way fewer than claim to have a 289). I find it amusing and sad that a seller can think there are people out there who are not smart enough to see through a gross misrepresentation of a car, but that who smart enough to have made $400K to buy one.

The 4-lamp cars are definitely more valuable, despite the fact that the 2-lamp cars are actually more rare volume-wise. The reason (IMHO) that the 2-lamp cars are worth 10 to 15% less is that they were a compromise design to meet US headlight regulations of the (I think) 1970 model year. They look less refined and do not follow the original design intent of the car.

As for the German car, it is a very nice and quite original and largely unrestored example — reportedly with under 7000 miles, although my notes indicate it was originally beige. The car has been sold many times over the last six years. It sold in 2010 for around $100K and again at the Coys UK auction in 2014 for $175 US. It has certainly been making a good profit for sellers along the way, but I'm not sure that can continue forever.