Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Pantera - Ford and Cobra-Ford

[Larry T (l02turner]

The Ford/Pantera relationship is similar in history as the Ford/Cobra relationship IMHO - Ford wanted a product and someone came along to provide it - Ford paid the bills & provided engineering and parts while others did the design, testing and assembly work.

 

 

"In God We Trust"

From: LS

Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 10:15 AM

To: Larry Turner

Cc: The FerrariList

Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Magazine Covers

Ford did commission it but it was a de Tomaso and badged that way.

They screwed it up by trying to manage the project like it was in Detroit. Various cost cutting measures were put into place and the car suffered.

Remember the Pantera was only associated with Ford until 74 when importation of the car stopped. After that, the car was still handbuilt, exotic and all Italian until 1992 when it was produced without any ties to Ford.

The GT40 was based on the Lola GT and hired Eric Broadley to design and build it for Ford at their UK facilities. When it didn't live up to the potential racing success, Shelby was brought in to revamp the car. It was all Ford...the controversy is whether it was British or American. Same goes for the Cobra...who knows.

As Hans points out below, there was a lot of American-Italian coordination taking place during that time.

One thing that's not up for speculation is whether the de Tomaso cars are handbuilt or exotic. There are many in the DC area and most of them are tuned for serious driving or competition...very impressive machines.

I may be spoiled since I can see/drive/experience them (and almost every exotic made) on a weekly basis...but it's the truth.

LS

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From: Hans E. Hansen <FList [at] hanshansen.org>
To: LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com>
Cc: The FerrariList <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Sat, August 21, 2010 1:07:11 AM
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Magazine Covers

Tom was an American trained at a Michigan university

in industrial design.  He moved to Italy, as one of his

professors had obtained a job for him as an apprentise

at a car designer.  (Forgot which one.....)  He married

an Italian woman and simply forgot to move back to

the US.  If I married an Italian woman, I'd probably do

the same.............................

 

His designs include the 365 California  (look it up!)

and - unfortunately - the 330GT 4 headlight.  Not a

high point in his career.

 

OK, to open up previous controversy.......

 

The Pantera can either be considered a "Ford" or

a "de Tomaso", depending upon your opinion and

your interpretation of history.

 

Ford commissioned the Pantera much like someone

would commission a painting of their spouse or offspring.

Ford didn't do it, but it was at their request.  So.........

 

The "Ford" GT40 is a Ford, right???  It was commissioned

by Ford, but built by Shelby.  No actual direct Ford involvement.

Lots of support, money, parts, engineering, etc.

 

The Pantera is similar.  It was commissioned by Ford, but

built by de Tomaso.  Is this different in principle than the

GT40?  Tjaarda talked about negotiating with Ford.  So...

 

Is this an Italian Stalion, built by Italian de Tomaso?  Or is

it like the GT40 and really an American (designed by an

American, and financed by an American company) Ford?

 

The choice is yours.  It really is not as clear cut as most

will make out.

 

Hans.

On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 6:11 PM, LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com> wrote:

I've heard is a great guy but have not had the chance to meet him.

The Pantera was screwed up by Ford initially but has since been acquitted as a masterpiece.

LS

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From: Hans E. Hansen <FList [at] hanshansen.org>

To: LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com>
Cc: The FerrariList <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>

Sent: Fri, August 20, 2010 8:57:29 PM

Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Magazine Covers

BTW, I was fortunate enough a couple of years ago to have

lunch and a long conversation about the Pantera with its

designer - Tom Tjaarda.  He's a really nice guy, and very

interesting to talk to.  Worked for Pininfarina, Ghia, and others.

Has several dozen cars to his credit, either as lead designer

or consulting.

 

Hans.

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