1971 DeTomaso Pantera

The 1971 DeTomaso Pantera has been called a supercar that delivers both beauty and brawn. As Berkley One Classics celebrates the big 5-0, we’re hosting an exciting virtual car show for collectors and enthusiasts alike. We’ll share our love of classic cars by spotlighting 50 cars for 50 years that have been chosen and beloved by our employees. Each will showcase the evolution of design and engineering and provide a nostalgic journey through auto and pop culture history. Read on as Imani Josey, Marketing Content Specialist at Berkley One, tells us why she loves the 1971 DeTomaso Pantera.

Prefer to read a text version of the above graphic? We’ve got you covered below!

The Car:

The 1971 DeTomaso Pantera blends Italian design with American muscle. Its wedge-shaped body, designed by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia, also epitomizes the bold, angular aesthetics of 1970s supercars. It has a 5.8-liter Ford Cleveland V8 engine producing 330 horsepower, a ZF five-speed manual transaxle, and offers a race car-inspired yet luxurious cabin with leather seats, a stylish dashboard, and advanced (for its time) instrumentation. It was also affordable when compared to competitors like Ferrari and Lamborghini. I find this car to be a standout.

The Collector:

I enjoy the 1971 DeTomaso Pantera’s unique history as its production paired Italian craftsmanship with American power. Created by Argentine-born Alejandro De Tomaso, the Pantera was designed to challenge established European supercars while simultaneously partnering with Ford to be distributed in the United States. It was a key player in Ford’s strategy to compete in the high-performance car market. The Pantera’s history is one of collaboration, one that was very successful. Despite challenges with build quality in early models, the Pantera earned a dedicated following.

The Love:

I’m a history nerd, and the Pantera’s unique story as a collaboration between De Tomaso and Ford makes the Pantera interesting for history buffs as well as vehicle collectors. It’s also beautiful car, but I just love how these two giants in the auto industry worked together to shake it up. The 1971 DeTomaso Pantera also represents a rare blend of European elegance and American engineering design-wise, which is why this car is appreciated by many enthusiasts and collectors alike.

–

Contributed by Imani Josey

Photo: Alamy

–

This car feature is part of our 50 Cars for 50 Years campaign in honor of Berkley One Classics celebrating 50 year of insuring collectors and their vehicles. See the other cars we love here.

–

Berkley One Classics is a Berkley Company who recognizes that classic cars are unique and require insurance that’s equally distinctive. Let us help you protect your beloved vehicle so you can enjoy it for years to come. Learn more here.