Qvale Mangusta: a Mustang With Italian Styling
Take a Look at the Weirdest Mustang-ish Thing Ever Made: the Qvale Mangusta
In the era of Ford’s “New Edge” Mustang, the Qvale Mangusta was born. It made a strange-looking exterior and a gorgeously hand-crafted Italian leather interior work hand-in-hand with Ford’s modular V8.
The Mangusta uses Mustang bits throughout the interior and exterior. The outside of the Qvale Mangusta is probably best described as “polarizing,” particularly those strange fender-mounted aerodynamic mirrors. But some might call it downright ugly.
The interior does crib a lot of parts from the Ford bins, but makes better use of a lot of them. And it uses higher-quality materials in the touch surfaces.
However, the engine and gearbox are intimately familiar to anyone with a Mustang Cobra. The 320-horsepower 4.6-liter DOHC V8 is carried over. As are the transmission options, a Tremec T-45 manual or a Ford 4-speed automatic. Apparently, there is more than one way to skin a Mustang.
CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Wild Semi-Mustang
Doug DeMuro’s video above demonstrates some of the more interesting bits of the Qvale, which you may not have known. Heck, it’s possible that you didn’t even know the Qvale existed. Only a few hundred of them were actually produced and sold.
This is a truly unique car with truly unique styling. But is it unique enough that you’d be willing to pay thousands of dollars more than you would for a standard Mustang Cobra?
With just 284 of these built between 2000 and 2002, the Mangusta is a rare beast indeed. It is possible that you’ll go your entire life without seeing one in person. But if you do, ask the owner to lower the top all the way for you, because it’s such an interesting mechanism. You see, this Qvale is a 4-seat convertible, as well as a targa-style roof GT, as well as a full-fledged 2+2 coupe. The roof panel pulls out as a traditional targa would, but then you can also lower the rear hoop section and also the rear glass. It just rotates down into the rear bodywork with the push of a button. The demonstration of the top is worth the time spent watching the video alone.
