Who made the 1972 Pantera?
The 1972 Pantera was built by De Tomaso, the Italian automaker founded by Alejandro De Tomaso. Its distinctive styling came from designer Tom Tjaarda of Ghia, and it was powered by a Ford-supplied V8 in a mid‑engine layout. This combination of Italian design and American power helped define the car’s place in 1970s sports-car history.
Origins and Design of a Cross‑Border GT
The Pantera emerged in an era when European supercars faced increasing competition from American muscle and Japanese performance. De Tomaso sought to create a high‑performance GT that could appeal to the U.S. market while leveraging Italian styling and engineering. The 1972 model sits in the early wave of this collaboration, which would shape the Pantera’s identity for years to come.
Design and Styling
Tom Tjaarda, then associated with Ghia, crafted the Pantera’s iconic wedge silhouette and mid‑engine stance. The clean, low lines and broad rear end helped the car stand out on both showrooms and highways, signaling a bold statement of contemporary European styling paired with American power.
Powertrain and Performance
The Pantera’s propulsion is a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 mounted behind the passenger compartment. Coupled with a five‑speed manual transaxle, the mid‑engine layout delivered performance that positioned the Pantera as one of the era’s standout high‑performance cars, blending speed with relative daily usability for the time.
Production and Global Reach
Manufacturing took place at De Tomaso’s facilities in Modena, Italy, with distribution channels established to reach the United States market. The 1972 model year reflects the early phase of this international collaboration, which continued to evolve through subsequent years and updates.
Before the list: The core elements that define the 1972 Pantera’s identity are summarized below.
- Manufacturer: De Tomaso (Italy).
- Designer: Tom Tjaarda (Ghia) — responsible for exterior styling.
- Engine: Ford 351 Cleveland V8 — mid‑mounted powerplant supplied by Ford.
- Production location: Modena, Italy (De Tomaso facilities) with export to the United States.
Key facts about the 1972 Pantera:
These points illustrate the cross‑border collaboration that defined the 1972 Pantera: Italian design and American power fused within a European chassis philosophy.
Summary
The 1972 Pantera stands as a landmark example of international collaboration in the automotive world: De Tomaso built it in Italy, Tom Tjaarda shaped its bold styling, and Ford supplied the V8 that powered its mid‑engine performance. The result was a sports car that captured the spirit of its era by blending European design with American engineering.
