‘It had a V8 that could wake the dead and a cooling system that could barely keep itself alive.’
In 1970, the De Tomaso Pantera roared onto the scene, a sleek Italian design fused with brute American muscle.
With a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 under its bonnet, this mid-engine marvel promised 159 mph and a growl that echoed through the decades.
Affordable yet exotic, it stole hearts at the New York Motor Show.
Want to know why Elvis Presley once shot his?’
In 1970, the De Tomaso Pantera debuted at the New York Motor Show, blending Italian flair with American power.
Designed by Tom Tjaarda for Ghia, it sported a sharp, wedge-like body that epitomised 1970s aggression.
The Pantera was powered by a Ford 351 Cleveland V8, producing 330 horsepower. It boasted a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration.
It could hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 159 mph—supercar performance at a fraction of the cost of Ferraris or Lamborghinis.
The Pantera, sold through Ford’s Lincoln Mercury dealerships from 1971 to 1975, made owning an exotic car achievable for many Americans.
Early models were infamous for overheating, and reliability issues frustrated some owners.
‘Including Elvis Presley, who famously shot his Pantera when it wouldn’t start.’
Over a 20-year production run, the Pantera evolved with dramatic wide-body kits and more powerful engines, becoming the GT5 and GT5-S.
De Tomaso built approximately 7,000 cars, making it a rarity today.
With its thunderous V8 roar, bold styling, and mix of elegance and muscle, the Pantera is a collector’s dream, a true icon of 1970s performance.
‘The Pantera proved you didn’t need Ferrari money to turn heads—you just needed a fire extinguisher and a sense of humour.’
