1971 De Tomaso Pantera
Alejandro De Tomaso lives from his 27th year of life as an Argentinian in northern Italy, constructed cars, drives race and calls himself Alessandro. Although not an engineer, he works in its own small company on the
change and construction of sports and racing cars. For the old company Maserati and its Reestablishment (OSCA) he also run races. On such occasion he meets a (rich) American woman, whom he marries and with her
extra help he builds a small automobiles empire.
Including the bodyshop factories Ghia and Vignale comes gradually also Moto Guzzi and Benelli, and even Maserati and Innocenti. Its production of mid-mounted engine vehicles brings in relatively small series at first the
Vallelunga and then the Mangusta. Typical of a De Tomaso will be the combination of spicy styles with an American V8 engine and enough SAE hp.
In both cases the engine is from Ford. Meanwhile top managers of Ford are again in search of a real sports car with Italian exterior, that could enrich their sales program. 1966 they have Ferrari taught to fear,
with the GT 40, now seems De Tomaso the right partner for a common project.
This is the birth of the Pantera ('panther'). Ford regulates the sales in the U.S., the engine and a small part of the development team. The rest is to do by the unequal partner De Tomaso, what in the course of development
will often lead to difficulties.
Small series in the automotive industry suffer inter alia with the purchase of parts. As suppliers change frequently, change the delivery status of the vehicles. Often, here is also saved especially, which for the Pantera is not
true. Always however, is not enough time for adequate testing and so get partly half-finished cars to customers.
This is for example in the first series of the Pantera the case. By overpriced bought single components the calculation often confuses. Thus, the transmission may be more expensive than the American series engine.
Ultimately, the cooperation is no success, which also later is to see on the own try of Ford in the direction of a racing car.
De Tomaso produced further in small batches, with clear improvements for example in the design and problems in design. Like this there are 25 years Pantera, without manufacturing documentation and secure spare parts
supply. But with the sight and driving one left these difficulties behind ...
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