What Ford motor is in a Pantera?
The Pantera uses a Ford V8—specifically the 351 cubic inch Cleveland engine (5.8 liters)—mid-mounted in the chassis to drive this iconic Italian-designed sports car.
Engine at a glance
The De Tomaso Pantera paired an American V8 with an Italian silhouette, creating a mid‑engine performer that blended Ford’s power with European styling. Here are the core facts about the Ford motor that defined the Pantera’s performance.
Key technical highlights you’re likely looking for when considering the Pantera’s powerplant:
- Engine: Ford 351 Cleveland V8 (5.8 L), pushrod OHV, most early US versions used a four-barrel carburetor
- Layout: Mid-mounted V8 located behind the passenger compartment, contributing to balanced weight distribution
- Power output: Approximately 330–360 horsepower, depending on year, emissions controls, and tuning
- Transmission pairing: Typically mated to a ZF 5-speed manual transaxle; some setups and restorations used other transmissions
- Production window: The canonical Pantera models from 1971 into the early 1990s relied on this Ford 351 Cleveland-based powertrain
In short, the Pantera’s stock engine is the Ford 351 Cleveland V8 (5.8 L), chosen for its combination of torque and high‑rpm performance that matched the car’s aggressive chassis design.
Historical context and variations
The De Tomaso Pantera was launched in the early 1970s as a collaboration that produced a bold, mid‑engine grand tourer. While the body and chassis were conceived in Italy, the mechanicals—especially the engine—were sourced from Ford, with the 351 Cleveland V8 serving as the primary powerplant for most US‑market examples. This arrangement helped give the Pantera its characteristic blend of American horsepower and Italian styling.
Over the years, there were updates and regional differences driven by emissions regulations and availability of parts. Nevertheless, the Ford 351 Cleveland V8 remained the defining engine for the Pantera in most of its production run. There are aftermarket and owner-modified examples that swap engines (for example, Windsor-based Ford V8s or other powerplants), but these are not representative of the original factory configuration.
Notes on variability and aftermarket modifications
Enthusiasts should be aware that some Pantera restorations and later builds have incorporated engine swaps or modernized powertrains. While these can improve reliability or performance, they depart from the historical standard of the Ford 351 Cleveland V8 that initially powered the car.
For most collectors and historians, the Pantera’s enduring identity rests on the Ford 351 Cleveland V8—an American-made engine renowned for its torque, mid‑range strength, and compatibility with a mid‑engine chassis that defined the Pantera era.
Summary
The Pantera’s signature Ford motor is the 351 Cleveland V8 (5.8 L), mounted mid‑car and paired with a ZF 5-speed transaxle. This combination established the Pantera’s performance profile from the early 1970s through the 1990s, making the car a landmark of cross‑continental automotive design.
