CAREFUL STEWARD

It was the early ’70s and American muscle cars were ruling the U.S. highways, but as evidenced by the design of the second-gen Camaros, the cars from Europe were also getting noticed. It was in this age before oil embargos and soul-crushing government mandates when anything was possible. It was just the right time for something new, different, and fast to hit the market: the De Tomaso Pantera. The Italian-American mid-engine exotic featured a gorgeous body designed by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia and a monocoque chassis engineered by Gian Paolo Dallara. The partnership with Ford brought a dealer channel in the U.S., production advice, and a great engine—the 351 Cleveland.

Launched in 1971, in partnership with Ford, the Pantera (Italian for Panther) was a melding of Euro