Awhile back the "Top Gear" show compared the Qvale Mangusta to the Maserati 3500GT -- and the Qvale won! Too bad they preferred a Porsche 911 to both.

Anyhow, here's the "script" of the Top Gear Show, for the archives:

TOP GEAR SCRIPT


“Back in the 60s, DeTomaso became a member of the Supercar Elite. But since then, models like the Mangusta and the Pantera have been consigned to the history books, and production has all but ceased.

“But now, American Bruce Qvale, whose father rescued Jensen in the early 70s, has set up a company in Modena to produce up to 800 a year of these all-new, fully type-approved DeTomaso Mangustas.

“From the front, the Mangusta looks the part. Its wide, low stance entices, but those soft curvaceous lines become distorted towards the back. The bulbous rear-end has Maserati DNA, and will not be to everyone’s taste.

“The Mangusta has the spirit of an Italian TVR. It even has a detachable hardtop, just like the Chimaera…which fills the rather-small boot. But even the extravagantly-creative minds of TVR haven’t come up with a feature like this…

Raises the Rototop

“Neat!

Drives Off – Hard Rock Music – Fast Driving Scenes

In the Cockpit Now

“On the inside, things are a bit more sedate…more Hugo Boss than Marchino. It’s all rather old school, with only the odd touch of aluminum reminding you that it wants to be a driver’s car.

“Now, like most Fiesta owners, I can live with this Ford switchgear, but surely that carriage clock is due for early retirement.

“Modensese heritage it may have, but it hasn’t got that zippy Ferrari engine note. It grumbles into existence the only way a V-8 can, and below 4,000 RPM, you begin to wonder what all the noise is about.

“But apply a few more picojaws of pressure…

Music Amps Up – Car is Blasting Now

…and a tidal wave of power erupts, which will launch this DeTomaso to 60 in about 5 seconds. And the chassis and suspension setup also go well with this loosely-spaced Italian Tarmac.

This is an American specification model and is a touch on the soft-side…but the Americans do love their creature comforts. There will be a stiffer European specification model available, and there will also be right-hand drive.

“But as it is, this DeTomaso is…fun!

MUSIC CHANGES, AMPS UP MORE

“Priced at around 65,000 pounds, it isn’t about to go head to head with a Ferrrai 360…but to succeed, it must first beat another local star…

MASERATI SEGMENT – WOMAN PRESENTER

“…the Maserati 3200 GT!

MASERATI DRIVES OFF – SEGMENT BREAK

“The Maserati 3200GT is an arch-rival to the DeTomaso, and when the wonder boy drove it last year, he wasn’t impressed. I think it looks good, and surely you can’t go wrong with that badge.

“But despite its pedigree, its not a worthy successor to the Maseratis of old. The steering is too light and too vague for you to really feel what’s going on at the front end, there’s too much play in the middle pedal before the brakes bite sharply, and there’s just not enough power to pull this car’s weight, despite having a bi-turbo 370 brake horsepower engine. But it would have worked better had Maserati bothered to connect the turbos properly.

“However, the chassis is pretty decent, and the interior is luxurious, with all this super leather and all the sassy dials, and there’s room in the back for a couple. But, as you might have guessed, I don’t really rate it as a driver’s car.”

SHE DRIVES UP BESIDE THE DETOMASO AND GETS OUT

“So what do you think, Vix?”

“Well it doesn’t stir my soul.”

“No, it’s not much fun to drive.”

“Come on, hop in here.”

“Ha-Ha, You Guy!

THEY DRIVE OFF IN THE DETOMASO. MUSIC BECOMES SPIRITED.

“So Vix, are you sitting comfortably?”

“I certainly am, these seats fit me pretty well, which is just the job when you’re driving. And I love all the leather, and there’s some really nice touches, but I don’t like the color [of the interior – she taps the arm rest], and that clock has got to go.

“So, what’s it like to drive?”

“Well, it’s surprisingly good, I’ve been having a lot of fun with it! It’s a bit on the soft-side, but the chassis holds on well; the steering is a bit light, but there’s a lot of feel, it’s consistent, I enjoy driving it…it’s got this great V-8 power, instant grunt…I’m never a big fan of turbochargers in the best of times.”

“I know.

THE DRIVER DOES SOME CRAZY MANEUVER

“Ahh!!! Well, I think we’re having a bit of fun there.”

MORE SCENIC WILD DRIVING WITH MUSIC

THEY PARK AND GET OUT OF THE DETOMASO

“So then, Vix, which is it to be, the DeTomaso or the Maserati?”

“Well, I agree with you, this is the better driver’s car, and I love the grunt.”

“But, that Maserati has more accommodation, and a bit more style, perhaps?”

“Um Hm, ‘tis true.”

“So, spending your own money, which is it gonna’ be?

“Oh, even though we’re in Italy, I wouldn’t go Italian.”

CLOSE-UP OF PORSCHE HOOD BADGE

GERMAN SYMPHONY MUSIC

ZOOM OUT, THEY ARE IN THE 911 NOW

“I’d go German.”

“Yup, I’d have to agree Vix. This sort of money, it would have to be…the Porsche 911.”


THEY DRIVE OFF IN THE 911-
GERMAN MUSIC SWELLS – FADE OUT

We'll be filming a new video with the Mangusta called "Low Gear," a satire on "Top Gear."

Stay tuned!