De Tomaso Pantera History

Unveiled at the 1970 New York Motor Show, the Pantera (Italian for 'panther') was a quantum leap over the Mangusta. Designed by American Tom Tjaarda at Ghia on a steel monocoque chassis — De Tomaso's first — it sat low and wide, powered by a mid-mounted Ford 351 Cleveland V8 rated initially at 330 hp. Ford saw an opportunity and signed a distribution deal: from 1972 Panteras were sold in the United States through Lincoln-Mercury dealers, making it one of the most accessible European supercars of its era, priced alongside a Corvette.

The Ford partnership collapsed after the 1973 oil crisis, with Ford exiting in 1974 after selling roughly 5,500 US-market cars. De Tomaso continued building the Pantera in much smaller numbers for Europe, evolving the design considerably. The GT5 (from 1980) added bonded fibreglass wheelarch extensions for a wider stance; the GT5-S (from 1984) blended the arches into the body for a cleaner wide-body look. The final Si variant of 1990–1992, produced in a run of just 41 cars, used a 305 hp Ford 5.0-litre V8.

Over its 21-year life more than 7,000 Panteras were built, making it the most numerous De Tomaso ever. Its Ford V8 soundtrack, mid-engine balance, and accessible performance have kept it among the most sought-after 1970s Italian-American supercars. Elvis Presley famously shot his with a pistol after it refused to start.