A Ford V8 powered, midengine two seater of the late 60's and early 70's, produced by DeTomaso Automobili of Italy. The name means "mongoose". It was sort of an inside joke between Alejandro DeTomaso and Carroll Shelby who produced the Shelby Cobra, also a Ford V8 powered two seat sportscar. Ford fell in love with the Mangusta, and saw it as a potential 'Vette fighter, but, needed an all new car to meet the upcoming Federal safety and emission standards, and so, approached Alejandro concerning a joint venture sportscar to be named the PANTERA (Italian for PANTHER).
by a Car-roll Shelby fan July 28, 2006