De Tomaso Pantera – Italy’s American Muscle Superstar
As the 1960s expired mourning lost luminaries, a daring Modenese hopeful named Alejandro de Tomaso harbored ambitions of returning racing glory back to Italian soil through a tiny upstart workshop bearing his name. Lacking resources to develop machines completely from scratch, he cleverly imported a surplus 351 Ford V8 and then mounted it amidships powering gorgeous coachbuilt shells designed to attract wealthy sporting clientele.
What materialized won instant acclaim blowing across magazine headlines and dealership showrooms alike starring an aggressive supercar challenging pricier European exotics easily with brutal straight-line speed. Christened the De Tomaso Pantera linking Spanish roots, this beastly thoroughbred collecting beauty, brawn, and bargain MSRPs cemented itself as a cult legend beloved through five distinct model evolutions spanning over 20 incredible years. 
De Tomaso Pantera Injecting American Muscle into an Italian Supercar Skeleton
When De Tomaso set sights contesting Modenese rival marques like Ferrari and Lamborghini applying a formula matching their 12-cylinder exotica against more affordable V8 vigor, Detroit’s Blue Oval presented ample inspiration donating thumping 5.8-liter Windsor motors for the cause. 
These production 351 cubic inch V8s reliably pumped out 330 horsepower from Italian-cast alloy heads while weighing nearly 100 pounds lighter than British or German alternatives De Tomaso evaluated from Jaguar, BMW, and Mercedes – crucial for inserting behind two-seater cockpits minimizing polar moments. Brilliant weight distribution spreads mass evenly over the wheels gifting balanced handling talents. Once exhaust crackles bouncing between cabin and engine compartment at full song, there proved no mistaking the Pantera’s American muscle birthing Italian supercar aspirations inspired by Ford Dearborn… 
Stunning Italian Suit with Blue Collar Heart
Clothing brute-force Ford V8 grunt within voluptuous Italian curves felt quintessentially fitting for De Tomaso’s origin story. Styling overlord Tom Tjaarda sketched flowing Coke bottle curves leading towards an abbreviated Kamm rear taper with fastback gently sloping down behind the cabin. Bespoke bumper bezels circled signature quartet round headlamps beneath which generous cooling ducts channeled intake airflow rearwards across the wide flat valence and molded chin splitter. 
Out back quad exhaust ports poke prominently from a tightly tailored rear transaxle housing spotting the De Tomaso nameplate proudly. Inside leather-wrapped surfaces exuded luxury elevating expectations beyond working class status that earnest Ford V8 represented elsewhere adorning pickup beds and patrol cars thoroughfares across America. Occupants faced a wooden-rim steering wheel ringed by hooded gauges – combining premium touches assessing their $10,500 value when new. Soon recognition followed winning 1971 import car of the year plaudits – affirming De Tomaso hit the mark.
De Tomaso Pantera Taming the Rowdy Rear-Mounted Monster
As a fledgling automaker De Tomaso couldn’t afford completely clean sheet engineering – thus prototype Panteras adapted Ford’s engine orientation and bellhousing bolt patterns for backwards compatibility saving costs. This allowed mating to the same 5-speed manual gearbox as Italy-bound Mustang Cobras. But conflict arose once vicious torque thrashed lightweight rear gearbox mounting points mercilessly – resulting in excessive driveshaft oscillations clunking occupants frustratingly. 
Quick revisions relocated mounting bushings further rearward taming unpleasant ka-chunks solidifying longevity that early teething Panteras sorely lacked. Now featuring factory custom intake manifolds melding Detroit V8 grunt with Italian charisma, De Tomaso’s fiery formula seduced enthusiasts eagerly even when production glitches occasionally reappeared. Thankfully robust components tolerated limitations elsewhere evident from healthy specimens still howling proudly decades later.
Bucking Trends Through Five Bold Evolutions
Rather than chasing evolution from model year to next as Detroit practiced, De Tomaso CEO Alejandro designated specific series separating Pantera variants visually, mechanically, and emotionally. Initial 1972 “L” models rectified early build foibles then introduced wider fenders accommodating fatter tires by 1974. Mangusta-influenced “Pantera II” sports then spanned select late 1970s cars before federalized bumper concessions birthed “Pantera 80” models slowing sales and sinking De Tomaso towards bankruptcy despite partnering with Ford dealerships attempting to rescue sinking prospects.
Salvation emerged restoring hope when foreign conglomerate owner Alejandro Benelli rebranded De Tomaso’s last-ditch “Pantera 90 Si” effort modernizing wedge profiles with wider hips, bigger bumpers, and catalyzed engines outputting respectably into the early 1990s recession ultimately ending the storied nameplate before sporadic resurgence attempts sputtered lapsing this Modenese legend into memories.
Cherished Legacy Refusing to Fade Away
Despite De Tomaso’s rocky history facing financial instability and shifting retail priorities away from V8-powered analog sports machines, persistence in engineering the combustible Pantera pedigree for over 20 years secured rightful posterity status leaving enduring positive impressions through a formula blending brute Americana horsepower housed within curvaceous Italian chassis architecture – an fascinating combination clicking instantly during an era embracing flamboyant design expressions yet demanding honest grunt substance backing up provocative visual promises…
Against odds De Tomaso demonstrated savvy determination carving out respectable supercar credibility for their upstart operation. Lasting endearment grew battling flip-flopping fortunes fighting towards the fringe of Italy’s fiercely contested Modenese motorcity heyday era valiantly. Passionate grassroots owners’ clubs kept the fire burning brightly too – refueling renewed interest and preserving precious few Panteras remaining through events celebrating Alejandro’s dreamer spirit channeling blue-collar Dearborn muscle chasing Maranello glory tirelessly.
