The term itself is just as menacing as
the entire name of the car. Pantera, Italian for Panther. This was an Italian
car designed from 1971 to 1991. It's mid-engine unique design was a fan
favorite for its 20 year run, and only 7,000 of them ever produced.
What I think is hard to believe is that the car itself was
designed by an American Designer along with a Ford engine in its mid-engine
compartment. Not just any Ford engine, but when it was first built, it came
with a Ford 351 Cleveland, 351 cu in (5.8L) V8 engine that produced a severely
underrated 330 hp.
After 1975, Ford stopped importing the Italian
beauty car with about 5,500 of them produced at that time. After 1974,
Ford US discontinued the Cleveland 351 engine, but production continued in Australia
until 1982.
The beautiful part
about this car is that it has the Italian flavor, designed by an American
Designer and built with an American engine inside. The technology within the
car was ahead of its time.
Fortunately, I had
the pleasure of meeting the only owner of a 1974. He bought it originally in
Ohio in 1974 and has kept it pristine without modification or significant
restoration to the car. This beauty was a head turner. Now it resides in the
beautiful state of Colorado, Colorado Springs and belongs to a true American
citizen at his finest. Take a look at some of these pictures, and I know your
mouth will water at the want to get in and take this car for a ride down the
road.
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