Forgotten ONES - The world of automotive history is dotted with fascinating tales of innovation, ambition, and occasional misfortune. One such intriguing story revolves around De Tomaso, an Italian premium car brand that has left an indelible mark on the racing and exotic car industry. Founded by Alejandro De Tomaso in 1959 in Modena, Italy, this brand has witnessed a rollercoaster journey, particularly in the 1990s when Alejandro himself continued to design exotic cars until his passing in 2006.
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| The De Tomaso Biguà was one of the last models crafted by the iconic Italian car manufacturer before the company ceased production. (Picture from: Supercars.net) |
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| The De Tomaso Biguà represented a bold new direction for the brand, inspired by the simplicity and elegance of TVR designs. (Picture from: DeTomasoDC.co.uk) |
In the early 1990s, as De Tomaso's health declined, the management of the company became more challenging. During this period, Maserati’s chief engineer, Giordano Casarini, inspired by the simplicity and elegance of TVR designs, proposed the concept of the Biguà. He developed a straightforward front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) chassis based on a Ford V8 engine. This combination promised a blend of power and versatility, making the Biguà a standout in the sports car market.
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| The De Tomaso Biguà envisioned the Biguà as a unique sports car with a distinctive retractable roof that could transform it from a coupe to a convertible or targa. (Picture from: DeTomasoDC.co.uk) |
The prototype of the De Tomaso Biguà was unveiled at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show, where it garnered significant attention. Among the admirers were the Qvale family, prominent US importers of European prestige cars. They saw the potential in the Biguà and decided to invest in its development, providing the necessary funding to transition the concept into a production-ready vehicle. Their involvement was crucial, as they anticipated strong demand from the US market and built a new assembly plant in Modena to meet this expected demand.
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| The De Tomaso Biguà featured a straightforward front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) chassis based on a Ford V8 engine. (Picture from: Supercars.net) |
Initially, the plan was to market the car as the De Tomaso Mangusta, a name that carried historical significance for the brand. However, due to ongoing management issues at De Tomaso and the shifting dynamics within the company, Qvale eventually took over the entire project. When the car finally went into production in 2000, it was rebranded as the Qvale Mangusta. Despite this change, the car retained many of the core design elements and engineering principles envisioned by Casarini and De Tomaso. |
| The Qvale Mangusta is the production version of the De Tomaso Biguà, retaining many of the core design elements and engineering principles envisioned by Casarini and De Tomaso. (Picture from: Supercars.net) |
The car's angular exterior, designed by Marcello Gandini, known for his work on the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, had mixed reviews. Despite some criticisms of its bulk and high bonnet, necessitated by the tall Mustang V8, the Biguà's standout feature was its flexible roof panel, allowing it to switch between a Coupe, Targa, or Roadster.
Ultimately, the De Tomaso Biguà represents a fascinating chapter in the history of De Tomaso. It showcased the brand's commitment to innovation and adaptability, even in the face of significant challenges. While it never reached production under its original name, the spirit and vision of the Biguà lived on through its transformation into the Qvale Mangusta. This car remains a testament to the enduring legacy of De Tomaso and the creative ingenuity that defined the brand. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DETOMASODC.CO.UK | SUPERCARS.NET | PANTERA.INFOPOP | AUTOMOBILE.FANDOM ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
