1/20 DeTomaso Mangusta

[Rich Chernosky]

Found this kit at a toy show. Its pretty rare as I have not seen one for sale on any of the sites. I originally planned to scrap the gearbox and put a motor in the back. But finding a 351 Ford Cleveland engine was proving to take forever. So I decided to just plain finish it, motor and gearbox and all. Besides there is an engine cover in the back and it would have covered most of the motor anyway. This kit proved to be a real challenge as it was in two halves, top and bottom.  The front top and bottom also located the steering and door hinges so final assembly meant lining all those pins up. Butg its done and there were many other problems mostly solved now.  Color is Tamiya LP-44  Metallic orange with LP9 clearcoat.   Thanks for looking.

Finished car on my fall background.  The Mangusta had a body designed by Ghia ands was the precursor to the Pantera.

Those two hatches in the back provide access to the engine. Getting them to open and stay closed took some ingenuity.

Side view shows the elegant lines of the car. It was considered a super-car in its day.  Note the tiny little handmade latch just in front of the rear wheel. This holds the hatch down tight.

Interior turned out better than expected.  I still have trouble photographing interiors.

[Gramps46]

Another impressive build from your bench Rich.  Certainly a seldom seen kit by Otaki (see, somebody reads the tags ?).  The latches are incredible and color and finish is spot on.  I am disappointed you did not use 3D printed leaves though.? 

[Phirewriter]

Very cool !! Nice job! I've got a few 1:43 kits but this is one car that I'd love to see in 1:24 or 1:25 but unfortunately it will probably never happen. Would be a nice kit to go with the few Pantera kit that have been released over the years. Did you use the Tamiya orange over primer or a base color? 

[vamach1]

Nice score and great build.  It’s on my unicorn kit list as I rarely see them for sale.  Yes a 1/24 scale version would is on my wish list not expecting an engine of course like the Nakamura kit release in 1978.  Not sure if the highly detailed SMP kit is still available but you would think with as low as the Yen is that the price would have come down a lot.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice build.

One of my all-time favorite production cars. Funny how no model manufacturer has been able to get the lines exactly right.

Pico Elgin did a 3D printed one, and the files might be available from Shapeways.

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Looking very good. Lucky to have seen 2 real ones. Aggressive stance.

[Kah puts]

These are so rare, it's a pleasure to one so nicely done, thanks for sharing. 

[Rich Chernosky]

4 hours ago, Phirewriter said:

Very cool !! Nice job! I've got a few 1:43 kits but this is one car that I'd love to see in 1:24 or 1:25 but unfortunately it will probably never happen. Would be a nice kit to go with the few Pantera kit that have been released over the years. Did you use the Tamiya orange over primer or a base color? 

Michael....The Tamiya paint went straight over the white plastic and some of Tamiya's white putty.  I avoid primer whenever possible. Its just an extra unnessesary step in my opinion. If you use paint made for plastic (like all of Tamiya) there is rarely a problem.  I have 800+ builds in my collection (including this one)  as testimony to this statement. Thanks for asking. 

[Rich Chernosky]

13 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Another impressive build from your bench Rich.  Certainly a seldom seen kit by Otaki (see, somebody reads the tags ?).  The latches are incredible and color and finish is spot on.  I am disappointed you did not use 3D printed leaves though.? 

Thanks as always for the kind words Gary.  We have plenty of real leaves here in NE Penna....with lots more on the way. 

 

13 hours ago, vamach1 said:

Nice score and great build.  It’s on my unicorn kit list as I rarely see them for sale.  Yes a 1/24 scale version would is on my wish list not expecting an engine of course like the Nakamura kit release in 1978.  Not sure if the highly detailed SMP kit is still available but you would think with as low as the Yen is that the price would have come down a lot.

Rex...you are just whetting my appetite now.   Knew about the Nakamura kit and I have a couple but this one is made out of unobtanium. Didn't know of the SMP kit.......yah... I would want one in 1/24 too. 

 

12 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Nice build.

One of my all-time favorite production cars. Funny how no model manufacturer has been able to get the lines exactly right.

Pico Elgin did a 3D printed one, and the files might be available from Shapeways.

Some models are just tough to get right...this being one of them.  Thanks for the add. 

 

11 hours ago, rrb124@sbcglobal.net said:

Looking very good. Lucky to have seen 2 real ones. Aggressive stance.

I camped at the Watkins Glen vintage one year and my neighbors were all members of the North American Pantera club..including their president.  Some awesome cars BTW. I asked them if I owned a Mangusta could I get in the club. Sure...why not. Just so happens there was one there (got a pic of it somewhere) and was able to speak with the owner. They DID ask him to join... but he declined...wonder why.

 

11 hours ago, Kah puts said:

These are so rare, it's a pleasure to one so nicely done, thanks for sharing. 

Thank you for the compliment.

 

[vamach1]

I’d buy a diecast if they were in 1/24 or 1/25 scale and not too expensive.  This is a 1/18 diecast that is about $280.  I did score a 1/18 yellow Pantera back when Hotwheels made them and ToysRus had them for $20.

[1959scudetto]

Very impressive model, Rich - first time that I see this kit built. I can imagine that there are a lot of issues  that you have adressed to and several problems had to be solved during building. But the result looks quite good even if the model has proportion problems (as does my 1/25 politoys die-cast)

Anyway, it's good to see rare old kits like this one built !

[Rich Chernosky]

31 minutes ago, 1959scudetto said:

Very impressive model, Rich - first time that I see this kit built. I can imagine that there are a lot of issues  that you have adressed to and several problems had to be solved during building. But the result looks quite good even if the model has proportion problems (as does my 1/25 politoys die-cast)

Anyway, it's good to see rare old kits like this one built !

Helmut.....thanks for the compliment.  My local hobby shop is doing a "shelf queen challenge". The idea is to find a rare old kit that is irreplaceable and build it.   This one is my entry.

[happy grumpy]

Beautiful model and build Rich. Ghia designed some of the most beautiful bodies back then. Really great job on this rare model of this classic beauty.

[slusher]

Beautiful model!

[Rich Chernosky]

On 10/11/2022 at 2:25 PM, happy grumpy said:

Beautiful model and build Rich. Ghia designed some of the most beautiful bodies back then. Really great job on this rare model of this classic beauty.

Thank you Mario. I've seen a real one and ...yes...they are quite striking. 

 

15 hours ago, slusher said:

Beautiful model!

Thank you Carl.

 

[speedboy57]

cool