[DeTomaso] Mangusta Designer?

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/16/10 12 44 37, dickruzzindesign at aol.com writes:


> Some of you may have seen the original and may have thoughts on this.
> 
>>>The original looks larger in photos.   It's not actually larger at all, 
but is significantly flatter in the roofline than the production cars, 
making it look wider.
> 
> >The original had hinges on the outside of the rear engine hatch spine and 
> soft corners on the upper front grill in the headlight area.
> Front and rear appear wider if you look at the hood cut lines in relation 
> to the headlamps. 
> 
>>>I've never compared the two side-by-side, so it may well be slightly 
wider in fact.   But I think it's mostly an illusion.


> > There are also shots of a large black chrome looking gas cap later 
> installed on the passenger side over the gas tank interrupting the air intakes 
> behind the quarter window.
> 
>>>The car was originally a pushmobile, and wasn't converted to a runner 
until later in its life.   Therefore, some aspects had to be totally kluged 
together I think.
> 
> >The story of the design, starting with Giugiaro, going back to Ghia and 
> then being interpreted, resulting in a smaller car would be an interesting 
> one.  I think that the car is smaller and I feel that the small size is part 
> of it's charm.
> 
>>>You certainly have a better eye for such things than any of us--it would 
really be great to compare the two side-by-side.
> 
> >The original had a sun roof.  DeTomaso somehow arranged for the original 
> Mangusta to make a parade lap at Monte Carlo before the Grande Prix, 
> probably in 1967.  The passenger was Princess Grace, the sun roof was put in so 
> that people could see her from buildings and grandstands.
> 
>>>When people hear 'sunroof' they automatically imagine a roof that 
retracts or removes entirely.   The prototype Mangusta didn't have that--instead 
it just had a fixed glass roof.   Nice visually, but it certainly would have 
turned the inside of the car into a sauna!
> 
> >Clearly Detomaso was a master at PR.
> 
>>>Engineering, follow-through, not so much.   But PR, YES! :>)

Mike