De Tomaso Mangusta - the ultimate gallery

The De Tomaso Mangusta is, for my money, the finest-looking Italian sports car of its time.  Though notorious for its unpredictable driving dynamics, it sure looks the part when it's standing still!  This stunning black over burnt orange example was recently sold by Exotic Classics of Syosset, NY. What I really love is that Exotic Classics doesn't just buy and sell vehicles in a mercenary fashion. They lovingly and artistically photograph each car in their own high end photo studio as well. I have provided their full Mangusta Gallery here on Automobiliac. Please have a look at their site for more achingly beautiful shots of a variety of cool cars!

All images copyright Exotic Classics.

Citroën SM - Gallic space ship

Although its older sibling, the DS, is revered for its iconic Flaminio Bertoni lines, there is something about the SM that seems more futuristic to my eye. A result of the unlikely Franco-Italian partnership with Maserati, the SM bristled with technical innovation as well as performance.  Robert Opron's elegantly detailed bodywork attained a drag coefficient of .29, which is impressive even by today's standards.  The car has magnificent presence in person, and the interior is quite sumptuous by the standard of the day.  The seats are comfortable and supportive, as well as hydraulically adjustable!  Under the hood, green spheres are clearly visible, containing pressurized fluid for the car's patented hydraulic suspension system. The Maserati V6 is mounted facing the driver so that the transmission drives the front wheels, and when stopping is required, the hydraulic braking system is, the owner tells me, like the hand of God.  All in all, a pretty slick piece of kit from the space age that is still usable today, and still seems in many ways ahead of its time. Click here or on the pic below for the full gallery I took earlier this summer!

Quite a model kit! The XKE Series III V-12 revealed!

The engine bay of a Series III V-12 E-type is of Byzantine complexity. But when you lay all the parts out like this, it looks like child's play doesn't it? That's because none of the crazy wiring and plumbing is present! I loved this photo, taken by Photographer Mike Dean at "The Sports Car Shop" in Eugene, OR.

Click here to see more extensive photosets of this remarkable E-type's full resto.

Via "The Chicane" hat tip to commenter Dan Crouch for the additional info!  Image Credit: Mike Dean

You can help fund the next GT Racer Special! (and get a free video!)

For all of you Automobiliacs out there who haven't already seen the beautifully-shot series GT Racer, you really ought to check out this video clip of the latest project being pursued by director Alexander Davidis.  He has already shot all the footage, but has turned to Kickstarter to fund the editing of the work.  He has 8 days left to acheive his goal of 6,000 clams. If you kick in 15 bucks, you get a DVD of the finished work (which is going to retail for 19 bucks, so it's a bargain!), and for more money there are other premiums. So forget about NPR's pledge drive (they all drive Priuses anyway, right?) and help Alexander out with what promises to be a very exhilerating new video shot entirely on a Nikon SLR for the highest quality HD footage you can imagine!

Click HERE TO HELP FUND THE PROJECT

Update on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 1:58PM by Bradley Price

Good news! As of today, Mr. Davidis has met his funding goal, and the GT Racer special will be funded!

Tuesday Afternoon Mystery Car

A Propos of Kanye's Tatra from yesterday, can anyone name this equally obscure and equally small volume early 90s supercar? Two hints: It's not a modded Diablo. It's not a cheap car with a body kit.