mangusta

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...

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..

If anyone is in the upstate NY area (Albany)PLEASE let me know..

[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.

cool story, can't wait to hear the outcome! post photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUST LEFT TOOK SOME PICS WILL POST SOON...has all 5 rims ..a/c ..and much rust.. frame looks good. but floors are gone!! at work now post pics SOON..

Do you know the serial number of the car you looked at? Does it have a good title?

Too bad it cannot be saved -- not many of these built, and there are not more being made.

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....

can't seem to get pictures on..keeps telling me they are to big...

thats it

more

see more

tag....

302 a/c