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Please be patient with me i'm NEW here and need some answers from people with knowledge..i was at my mother in laws today for easter. This guy was there telling me about a GT-40 that was down the road,up the hill over the bridge bla bla bla..he wants me to go look at it!! No i said, so he goes and gets some gas down the road he's back in 1/2 hour with a picture of the car on his phone. I didn't have my glasses and the pictures were so-so..i say thats NOT a gt-40..maybe a briklin?? no it's got a split back window, so i'm getting ready to go home and ask him where this car is..He was right!! down over up dirt road NO road signs..I FIND IT..its dark out i'm with my wife and 2 daughters .its a 1969 mangusta (i think)..its rough and has been sitting in the same spot for 20 years. I do go knock on the door and this older man comes to the door and we get talking, he's owned it 25/30 years. is a 302 5speed he tells me, i had it up to 145 on the thruway back when i was a little younger...OK so my question is DO I buy it??
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quote:
OK so my question is DO I buy it??

No, you do not.

Well, sort of, yes, you do. but...

You act as my agent and I purchase it for $5000 as it sits; I can wire you the money tomorrow. You then arrange closed transport, at my expense, to my home in California. I give you a finder's/agent fee of $1000.

The older man is happy to know his forgotten, neglected car has a new, loving owner, you have $1000 for a couple days of your time, and I have a major problem with my wife who wants to know just why she now has to park the mini-van outside in the driveway.

Everyone's happy but me, but I'll deal with it somehow.

Larry

P.S. - Real reply below... Wink
Dead players like this are a tough nut to crack. I can buy a complete but neglected '72 Pantera here in town for $15K tomorrow, but it has sat for 15-18 years, needs new interior carpets, seats, full repaint, and that is just the major problems. I haven't bought it, and am sure I won't.

You need LOTS of inspection on this find. You also need to take a Pantera guy with you to inspect it, as there is a learning curve to evaluate these cars. Being as they only made 401 of those things, just about any condition has its value - if priced right. Sadly, many times the 'older guy' thinks he is sitting on a retirement nest egg that will finance yearly trips to Europe AND pay the mortgage on the new home in Vail.

Give this thread some time, you'll probably find someone close to your home to help you inspect the Goose, and then you'll be armed to know what a decent price is.

Mangustas seem to command a better premium than Panteras, but are still low-priced for low production exotics. Thus, unless you are planning on the restoration work with your own hands, and sourcing any missing/broken parts with the patience of a saint, writing checks for a restoration will leave you with negative cash flow.

But the cars are beautiful, rare and would be a dream to own.

Good luck.

More info (photos) when you get it would certainly be a plus for our evaluation.

Larry
Thats kinda sounds like one of those Nigerian scam's LOL. you send me money i send you the car..Can you tell me what i sould be loking for on this car? All i know is it was all original.down to the rims with the bias ply tires. Like i said it was dark, the front wheel were up in the air. I'm going to look at it agian on monday in the day so again what should i be looking at? or does it matter? just buy it??
I think that it is true that a perfect Mangusta was worth $100,000 in 2006/2007. Might not be worth that now with the economy and all.

So paint and body prep would probably be $15,000 to $35,000 -- I am talking absolute low ball to perfect wet looking paint -- and this is just paint and straightening the car.

Interior would be another $5,000.

Engine $3,000 to $6,000 depending what needs are.

Transaxle & related final drive issues $6,000 to $10,000 depending again on hard part needs.

Brakes & lines $4,000.

Electrical (have to rebuild what you got -- skies the limit on this one) Budget $2,000

Glass -- we've now entered the realm of unobtainium. No one has these items -- must be found and pay whatever, or make your own stuff. Pray that the glass on the car is good; otherwise, blow at least $7,000 if it can even be found -- $15,000 to make the stuff.

Hassle of all other trim pieces $7,000

So right now, if you pay someone to do this work, we are talking about a car that will be on the low end, $42,000 and on the high end $84,000 to do; and I have not even started in on the most expensive thing yet, rust on the car, nor the original purchase price. I could be way off on some of my figures, I know. I guess you can see where I am going on this deal. If you are extremely handy with lots of time on your hands and are equally good with a welder and metal brake as you are with a paint gun, then dive right in, it will be difficult to be hurt financially if you can do the lion's share of the work yourself. But if you have to pay someone else to do your dirty work, so to speak, I would be very hesitant to purchase a parts car and turn it into a concours winner. It can be done, but speaking from experience, I would never do it again -- well, unless maybe it were a Mangusta with the matching numbers motor and transaxle .........

Ahhhh, the red mist is starting to set in again .........
What you need to realize is this isn't a discussion about the restoration of a '69 Camaro. Think of this as more like a '69 Ferrari-only not as well known.

Seems to me whether or not you should buy this car will depend on you and your abilites. How many "normal" cars have you restored? Are you in posession of the needed skills, equipment, and cash? Substitute much cash if you have to pay someone to do it for you. Do you have the time, energy, and drive to find the missing parts? Labor of love comes to mind.

The simple fact that you are asking this forum would suggest that at least subconsciously you realize this is a big step and you have some doubts about the above....... Then again if the price is right it might to good to pass up.

.....best case is you buy it, get tired of it sitting in your garage after you realize it's a lot of work and not your dream car, then you sell it Larry for a boat load of cash!! Did I hear someone say Italy vacation?????

But I do STRONGLY suggest you take someone knowledgeable in Detomaso's to look with you. Again these aren't Camaro's and have unique nuances and quirks. They aren't called Italian Mistresses because they are common....Look at the PI main webpage. There may be a Regional Rep in your area. Trust me they would be happy to go with you and look. It's not everyday a hidden mangusta shows up.
Well, i know it has all 4 matching factory wheels/rims and no broken glass.I see one (1) rim on that e-bay site (I don't like e-bay) for 2k. he's says #s matching car..where do i check these numbers ..where are they located? how far gone does it have to be to be a PARTS car? whats a complete parts car worth? i'm not that handy with this type car..i'm more of a older mopar type(1970 dart 440/6bbl) guy..Thanks for the help..I will be buying this just to try and resell it..
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[quote]i'm not that handy with this type car..i'm more of a older mopar type(1970 dart 440/6bbl) guy..Thanks for the help..I will be buying this just to try and resell it..quote]

I suggest to do some research and know what you are getting into. The downside of flipping a car of this nature is you don't have all the history on hand like the old guy that currently owns it does. You are getting into a specialized market and a prospective buyer will likely want specific details.

A lot will depend on condition, length of time it's been sat (outside by the sound of it and in upstate NY, no less!)

For comparison I know of a Goose for sale locally, all there and good condition except one side window missing. It had all new beefed up subframe installed and is basically ready to paint and put back together, asking price $25K and it hadn't sold last I heard.

Julian
OK Thanks, i'm on my way now to see it in the day light. This man has owned this car like i said 25/30 yrs. and is willing to sell it for under 10k . i don't want to part it out BUT if that one rim is bringing 2k and this has a full set , thats 8k right there so now i have 1500 in the rest..matching 302 5sp should be worth ???..i'll let you know how i make out in about 2hrs..Thanks Phil in NY.
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I am also into the Mopar thing a little bit. The Mangusta is not like any Mopar, well, I take that back. Have you ever seen a Cuda convertible on a hoist -- you can see the body flex like an accordion. Anyway, the Mangusta is built lighter yet, so there are many places that the subframe can crack and break. Rust in any Mopar trunk is like what you see on the whole Mangusta, especially floors and rockers.

Too bad Mr. Woods is not closer to the colonies....
1970..? he has a looooong store on this car!! getting all his paper work together for me..tld me he paid 12,995 for it in the early 80s.this is the 2nd one he has owned. worked on wall st. back then. GREAT story teller. told me at one point he cracked the bell houseing and had to wait months and months til the made a new one or cast one something like that...more to come..
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Baberz.....

That is one big pile of stinky poo.....

You "may" have 8K worth of rims, but do you have $8K worth of buyers????? A few months ago, you couldn't get rid of an entire set of 4 rims for $1000.... These two guys fighting for this rim on ebay are a fluke IMHO.

Looks like it is chassis number 1006 or 1008. Couldn't quite read the SN on the tag.

It is missing the 4V manifold and carb. MIssing at least the two small windows in the hatches. Air cleaner???

It IS rusty. You can bet that the ZF, after sitting outside for this many years is probably a mess inside, as is the motor.

This is just sad to see......

If you have ever restored a JAG or a Ferrari of the days, you will understand the dilema in trying to restore one of these. Only types that seem to want to tackle this is the guys in the UK.

I can talk to you more about these cars if you need. Send me a private email and I will send you a phone number back.....

Cheers!!! Still a nice find!
Steve
quote:
Originally posted by DeLoreans and DeTomasos:
MY GOD! What a mess!! I wish I had found that though.... I would have bought it on impulse..... as a matter of fact if its cheap sell it to me. I can wrap myself around that for the next 10 years.
Whats cheap??Please make me an offer! Apparently its NOT worth as much as i was thinking.
Thanks for all the input..BUT NOW is the time to let it ALL hang out!! PLEASE you will not hurt my feelings. Whats it worth? I don't have the money to lay out then have to sit on this car to long. I understand its beyond repair. So call your friends around the globe and lets see if we can put it to some good ...Let's start with the side glass in the wings (don't know the name for them)
clean open registration, pre 74 no title's here in the great state of taxes. oops i mean New York..UPDATE...local fellow here interested in buying this car from me offered 7500 truth be told that 500 more then i paid..should i say good by or good buy??
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quote:
Originally posted by baberz02:
clean open registration, pre 74 no title's here in the great state of taxes. oops i mean New York..UPDATE...local fellow here interested in buying this car from me offered 7500 truth be told thats 500 more then i paid..should i say good by or good buy??
Just guesses here, but here are some things to consider if you were to part out the car...

Mangusta wheels: $2500
Side Glass (in good condition): $1000
Windshield: $1500
ZF Transaxle: $5000
Misc body bits/surfaces: $2000 (or more)

But, if you can't afford to sit on it too long to part it out over time the quick and easy solution is the $7500 offer and you're done with it.
fwiw....I have $2,500. burning a hole in my pocket right now for anyone who offers up a clean set of Mangusta wheels.

quote:
Originally posted by garth66:
Just guesses here, but here are some things to consider if you were to part out the car...

Mangusta wheels: $2500
Side Glass (in good condition): $1000
Windshield: $1500
ZF Transaxle: $5000
Misc body bits/surfaces: $2000 (or more)

But, if you can't afford to sit on it too long to part it out over time the quick and easy solution is the $7500 offer and you're done with it.
off topic, sort of, but getting opinions....my goose is NOT original, so don't use that angle when you reply, but with the tan and brown interior, I was thinking that an original set of wheels would look pretty SICK in gold? I know silver would be awesome, but what are opinions of gold on these magical wheels that I don't have yet :/

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