The automotive world has seen its share of legendary rivalries, none more iconic than Ford’s challenge to Ferrari with the revolutionary GT40. This bold move sparked a dominant run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, showcasing Ford’s engineering prowess. Though rule changes eventually halted that reign, Ford’s ambition didn’t fade. Instead, it turned to a new venture—partnering with DeTomaso to bring the Pantera to American shores.
Alejandro DeTomaso, a former Formula 1 racer and builder of the sensual Vallelunga and Mangusta, boldly claimed, “The Pantera is the first real sports car to hit the shores of America!” This brash statement ignited a feud before the Pantera—Italian for Panther—even arrived in 1971. DeTomaso’s vision found a perfect ally in Ford Motor Company, led by President Lee Iacocca, who saw the Pantera’s potential.
The Pantera paired Ford’s legendary 351 Cleveland V8 engine with designer Tom Tjaarda’s elegant chassis, creating a mid-engine monster suited for racetracks or black-tie events. Early models, built in Italy with hand-crafted Carrozzeria Vignale bodies, faced quality challenges. The solution came with precision stampings from Ford, improving build quality and boosting production morale. Standard features like power windows, leather sport seats, an AM-FM stereo, center console, air-conditioning, and a cigarette lighter set the Pantera apart from typical exotics of the era. Among the initial 1,007 Panteras sold in its first year, this 1971 model stands out.
Iacocca’s strategy involved Lincoln-Mercury dealers, a curious choice given their focus on luxury over speed. The Pantera shared little with Mercury’s Cougar beyond a feline theme, and the mismatch led to slumping sales as the 1970s progressed and a gas crisis loomed. Ford ended its involvement in 1974 after 5,244 Panteras, though production continued in Europe until 1992. Over its 20-year run, only about 2,000 more were made, bringing the total to just over 7,000—making it a rare luxury for enthusiasts.
Owner Clif Kane, a leading Pantera expert in the U.S., has owned 19 of these cars, with this 1971 model being his most challenging restoration. Found as a shell in a barn in Neenah, Wisconsin, after 30 years, it underwent a meticulous six-year ground-up restoration. Now, this middle-aged missile boasts a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 159 mph, thanks to its mid-engine agility and European styling.
From his first Pantera purchase in 1976 to his latest, Clif has been captivated by the car’s design. As Car & Driver noted in its August 1971 issue, the Pantera remains “a little piece of tomorrow today!” Clif sums it up best: “It’s like driving a Go-Kart with a V8 engine in it!”
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