1996–1997 De Tomaso Deauville Biguà Specs & Performance

The Biguà was meant to give De Tomaso a fresh start, and its most memorable feature was not the engine but the roof. Designed by Marcello Gandini, the two-seat sports car could change character between a closed coupé, targa and fully open convertible, an unusually versatile idea for a low-volume exotic. Its angular bodywork also marked a clear departure from the softer shapes of De Tomaso’s earlier road cars.

First shown at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show, the Biguà carried a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter Ford V8 developing 305 hp and used rear-wheel drive. A five-speed manual was available alongside a four-speed automatic, giving the car a more approachable mechanical layout than its exotic appearance suggested. The project ultimately passed into Qvale’s hands and evolved into the Qvale Mangusta, meaning the Biguà survives today as the brief opening chapter of a much larger story about De Tomaso’s attempt to reinvent itself.