De Tomaso Mangusta Tyres
De-Tomaso Mangusta 1967–1971
- The De Tomaso Mangusta was produced between 1967 and 1971, with only 401 models produced in total.
- The original 1967 De Tomaso Mangusta tyres were 185-15 Tyres front and 225R15 rear.
- The First Mangusta came fitted with Dunlop tyres, later they moved onto Pirelli.
- Currently there is not a classic sports car tyre in the size 225R15.
- We currently suggest the best tyres for a De Tomaso Mangusta are 205/70 R 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 front and 255/60 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 rear.
- For 185-15 & 205/70 R15 tyres the Michelin 15F innertube is the correct fit.
We suggest the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CN12 because a 205/70VR15 tyre is the same diameter as a 185VR15, and a 255/60VR15 is approximately the same diameter as a 225R15 or a 235R15. These CN12 options offer the same tread pattern front and rear, and they are actually better suited to the standard 7” & 8” wheel rims on a Mangusta.
De Tomaso Mangusta Recommended Tyres
Early De Tomaso Mangusta
History of the De Tomaso Mangusta
Built from 1967-1972, the De Tomaso Mangusta was the result of the cancelled Ford 70P and one of the rejected designs of the Iso Grifo being spliced together to create a memorable sportscar. The Vallelunga model, on which the Mangusta's chassis was based, was succeeded by the Mangusta. The term "mangusta" is Italian for "mongoose," an animal capable of killing cobras. The vehicle was rumoured to have been named in response to a failed contract between De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby.
The initial European variants of the De Tomaso Mangusta came equipped with a potent mid-mounted Ford 289 V8 engine, which delivered a remarkable output of 306 horsepower. However, for most of the Mangustas produced for both the European and North American markets, a less powerful Ford 302 V8 engine, which provided 230 horsepower, was utilized. According to our research, from July of 1968 or thereabouts, no further units with the Ford 289 V8 engine were manufactured.
De Tomaso Mangusta Tyres
To have a full profile tyre such as a 225R15 fitted to a high-performance car is most unusual, so no manufacturer currently makes them. Fortunately, Pirelli recently produced the 255/60WR15 CINTURATO CN12 for the rear of the Lamborghini Muira, a 255/60R15 tyre is a little wider than a 225R15, but it does get close to having the right overall diameter. Fortunately, Pirelli also makes a 205/70 R 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12, which offers a tyre the same diameter as an original 185R15 tyre. We are happy that these tyres do fit a De Tomaso Mangusta. We are also pleased to be able to offer a front and rear tyre with the same tread pattern, and more importantly, these tyres have a W speed rating for 170mph and are designed to be fitted to cars like Muira SV and Aston Martin V8 Vantage, so are perfect for the Mangusta.
The BFGoodrich Radial TA also offers some tyres that have similar dimensions with raised white letters on one side. However they are not so suited to sports cars like the Mangusta, among other things they only qualify for a S speed rating.
