2000 Qvale Mangusta Convertible

The Qvale Mangusta is a rare Italian car with American power. It uses Ford's 4.6-liter V8 engine with either a manual or automatic transmission. It uses a front mounted mid-engine, rear wheel drive layout, with fully independent suspension, wishbone upper and lower control arms, coil springs and anti-roll bars and a 4 piston Brembo brakes front and back.

The chassis of the Mangusta was designed by former Formula 1 designer Enrique Scalabroni, who had worked for Dalara, Williams F1, and Scuderia Ferrari. Each Mangusta chassis was formed of welded laser-cut steel sections and was galvanized by Vaccari and Bosi.

Scalabroni designed a high-torsional rigidity chassis. This was important as the Mangusta did not have a structural roof. Body panels were constructed of resin transfer molding (RTM) plastic.

The exterior was styled by Marcello Gandini in Italy. The interior was styled by Christen Park, in Detroit, using the Mustang's structure and switchgear. The interior was manufactured at Visteon's Saline, Michigan plant and shipped to Italy for installation.

The Mangusta is also equipped with a special roof mechanism which is called a roto-top, designed by Gandini and inspired by the folding roof of the TVR Griffith. The roto-top features a center removable panel (similar to normal targa configurations) but also allows the rear section to electrically rotate (on a forward pivot) out of sight into a cavity behind the seats. This transforms the car into a full convertible.