Why did Ford make the Pantera?
Ford partnered with De Tomaso to produce and distribute the Pantera in the United States. The collaboration between Ford and De Tomaso allowed Ford to have a high-performance sports car in its lineup and maintain its image as a manufacturer of powerful vehicles. Additionally, Ford saw the Pantera as a way to compete with other exotic Italian sports cars, such as those produced by Ferrari. The Pantera featured a sleek Italian design and was powered by Ford engines, including the 351 Cleveland V8 and later the 5.0L V8 [[9]].
The partnership between Ford and De Tomaso began in the early 1970s when De Tomaso convinced Ford executive Lee Iacocca to back and sell the Pantera in America. Ford Motor wanted a sports car like the Pantera to maintain its high-performance image and add a sexy Italian auto to its Lincoln-Mercury division car line. The collaboration allowed Ford to have a presence in the high-end supercar segment and compete with other prestigious brands.
The Pantera was sold through Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury dealership network from 1971 to 1975, with around 5,500 cars sold in the U.S. market during that time. Ford provided production advice and the engines for the Pantera, while De Tomaso handled distribution in Europe. The Pantera continued to be produced until 1992, with various updates made to meet emissions and safety regulations.
In summary, Ford made the Pantera in collaboration with De Tomaso to have a high-performance sports car in its lineup, compete with other Italian sports car manufacturers, and maintain its image as a manufacturer of powerful vehicles.
Contents
- What engine was in the Ford Pantera?
- What engine did the Ford Pantera have?
- Why was Pantera so popular?
- Was Pantera made by Ford?
- How fast was the Ford Pantera?
- How much did the Ford Pantera cost originally?
- How much did a Pantera cost new?
- Is the Pantera a good car?
- Why did they stop making Pantera?
- What engine was in a Pantera?
What engine was in the Ford Pantera?
| De Tomaso Pantera | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.9 L (302 cu in) Ford 302 V8 (Pantera SI) 5.8 L (351 cu in) Ford Cleveland V8 5.8 L (351 cu in) Ford Windsor V8 (1988-1990) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
What engine did the Ford Pantera have?
Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine
The car was designed by the Italian design firm Ghia by an American-born designer, Tom Tjaarda. The Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine in the De Tomaso was chosen from earlier American muscle cars, and selected for its higher revving capability.
Why was Pantera so popular?
1991–1995: Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven
On this album, the power metal falsetto vocals were replaced with a hardcore-influenced shouted delivery and heavier guitar sound, which firmly cemented the band’s popularity among mainstream and underground fans alike.
Was Pantera made by Ford?
The Pantera was the result of a collaboration between Ford Motor Company and sports car builder/former auto racer Alejandro DeTomaso. DeTomaso convinced top Ford Motor executive Lee Iacocca to have Ford back the Pantera and sell it in America.
How fast was the Ford Pantera?
159 mph
Specifications
| Model | Pantera | Pantera GTS |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 330 hp | 350 hp |
| Torque | 325 lbft | 362 lbft |
| Weight | 1413 kg | 1488 kg |
| Top speed | 159 mph** | 174 mph (c) |
How much did the Ford Pantera cost originally?
about $10,000
Early production issues plagued the Pantera, with fit and finish leaving much to be desired. After three years, fewer than 6000 had been sold—at a base price of about $10,000 ($73,000 today). Ford pulled the plug.
How much did a Pantera cost new?
Weight distribution was predictably biased toward the rear, 150 mph was not out of the question, and the car came with amenities like air conditioning, which American buyers demanded. Early production issues plagued the $10,000 Pantera, with fit and finish leaving much to be desired.
Is the Pantera a good car?
The original Pantera was known for good looks, strong performance, reasonable price, miserable seats, perpetual overheating, insidious rust, underengineered wheel bearings, lily-livered U-joints, bad steering and suspension geometry, etc., etc. The new Pantera retains the wild looks and the big performance.
Why did they stop making Pantera?
The Pantera’s Ford connection goes deeper than its V8 engine. The automaker sold them in the United States through Lincoln-Mercury dealers from 1971 through 1975. A combination of rising gas prices and increased emissions regulations caused the Blue Oval to stop selling them.
What engine was in a Pantera?
| De Tomaso Pantera | |
|---|---|
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.9 L (302 cu in) Ford 302 V8 (Pantera SI) 5.8 L (351 cu in) Ford Cleveland V8 5.8 L (351 cu in) Ford Windsor V8 (1988-1990) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
