description De Tomaso Overview
De Tomaso was an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1959 by the Argentine-American racing driver Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena. The company was known for producing distinctive sports cars and grand tourers, most notably the mid-engine Pantera, which utilized Ford V8 engines and was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the United States. Throughout its history, the marque changed ownership several times and also briefly controlled Maserati and Innocenti. Its vehicles are primarily targeted at automotive enthusiasts and collectors of vintage Italian sports cars.
help De Tomaso FAQ
What engine did the De Tomaso Pantera use?
The De Tomaso Pantera was powered by a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine, an American powerplant that gave the car a compelling blend of Italian styling and serviceable American muscle. This engine choice made the Pantera significantly easier to maintain in the United States than its European-engineered contemporaries from Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Who founded De Tomaso and when was the company established?
De Tomaso was founded in 1959 by Alejandro de Tomaso, an Argentine-American racing driver who established the company in Modena, Italy. The firm became known for producing distinctive sports cars and grand tourers that combined Italian design with American powertrains.
What other notable models did De Tomaso produce besides the Pantera?
Besides the Pantera, De Tomaso produced the Mangusta, an earlier mid-engine sports car featuring gull-wing engine covers and a design by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The company also built the Deauville luxury sedan and the Longchamp grand tourer, and Alejandro de Tomaso briefly owned both Maserati and the motorcycle manufacturer Moto Guzzi.
How was the De Tomaso Pantera sold in the United States?
The Pantera was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the United States as part of a distribution partnership with Ford, making it one of the few mid-engine exotic cars available through mainstream American dealer networks. This arrangement lasted through the 1970s and made the Pantera unusually accessible compared to imported Italian exotics.
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