| Author | Message | ||
| Jeffrey Caspar (Jcaspar1)
New member Username: Jcaspar1 Post Number: 40 Registered: 5-2002 |
I keep thinking I see one on the road but it always ends up being one of the new Maseratis. Definitely different. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 524 Registered: 3-2002 |
ugly as sin. no thanks, not at any price; not even free. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 539 Registered: 2-2002 |
The Qvale's sold out to MG. The car has been rebodied (a rebody of a rebody?) and will debut soon as a new MG model. I forget what the model designation is. Actually, it uses many Mustang parts to make it easier to meet federal regs, but it isn't a straight rebody. The car is similar to the Panoz Esperante, which is also Mustang based. I think the Qvales do live in the SF Bay area. They made their fortune importing cars to the west coast in the fifties and sixties. This isn't the first time they tried to build cars. They used to own Jensen once. Remember the Jensen Healey? I think that was theirs. Bruce Qvale won the SCCA runoffs driving a Jensen Healey many years ago. | ||
| Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
Member Username: Benjet Post Number: 855 Registered: 1-2001 |
There are about maybe <100 or so here in the states I'd guess about %20 of those in the Bay Area). Mr. Qvale (or I should say the Qvale family) owns one of the local car dealerships (I don't want to assume they also live here). The cars are supposed to be sold to those who want something special, have never read R&T or C&D and could care less what is under the skin. The design is interesting, the coachwork good quality and the interiors are nice as well. Would I want one no, but I admire them for building a car (somewhat) independently. They use the Ford drivetrain/electronics/instrumentation to pass emmisions etc. with ease. -Ben | ||
| Chris D (Prohydro)
New member Username: Prohydro Post Number: 19 Registered: 11-2001 |
Hmmm...That's interesting, didn't know there was a Mustang hiding under there! Thanks for the info. I tried to follow it on the freeway, but there was no way I was keeping up with it. You're right, for a $50k Ford I'd rather have a Roush Racing-prepped 'stang... | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
Junior Member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 105 Registered: 8-2001 |
No thanks! A Ford even though assembled in Italy is still a Ford.  | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
New member Username: Dom Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2002 |
It's a really interesting car, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the De Tomaso people seem to hate it. They originally sold for around $70k, but I understand you can buy a "new" 2001 model for around $50k. The internals are basically a Ford Mustang SVT V8, putting out 320 HP, I think. I think the chassis and various interior bits are also mustang, because I remember reading complaints about it being nothing but a rebodied mustang. For the price, I bet you could get a really nice Saleen mustang. Still, I like it, and think it has an interesting shape. The idea that the car can be a coupe, targa, or convertible is neat. Also, the mustang internals should make it relatively reliable, and easy to fix. I know there is a dealer in Costa Mesa, CA, not far from where I work, and I've been tempted to stop over one day during lunch to check one out. Dom | ||
| Chris D (Prohydro)
New member Username: Prohydro Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2001 |
My wife and I are on a "business" trip to the Bay Area. We were playing up in hills above Sausilito, and got tailed by a Qvale Mangusta ( http://www.qvaleauto.com/ ) for a bit. I had never seen one, only heard about them. What an interesting looking car...my wife of course fell in love with it. Anybody ever driven one, or know anything about it? |