ForgottenONES - Again we've found that there is still another story that discusses a rare exotic car using De Tomaso emblem that is not widely known to the public to this day. This car was successfully brought into real by a famous Italian coachbuilder company Carrozzeria Ghia which was translated from the car sketches drawn by one of its designers named Tom Tjaarda.
The De Tomaso Montella Concept brought into real by a famous Italian coachbuilder company Carrozzeria Ghia which was translated from the car sketches drawn by one of its designers named Tom Tjaarda. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
It all started when in the 1970s American car enthusiasts fell in love with the recently introduced mid-engine Pantera sports car. The car, which entered the American market thanks to a joint venture between De Tomaso and Ford, looks like it will have bright marketing prospects in the next few years.
Everything completely changed when new road safety and emissions regulations were enacted in the country which forced Ford to discontinue Pantera's entry into the American market in 1974. Refusing to just give up in the face of power robbing emission laws, De Tomaso sought a replacement for their Pantera.
The De Tomaso Montella Concept's interior was in most respects well sorted, although resting an arm on the central console could lead to inadvertently activating the poorly located cigarette lighter. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
As we all know, Carrozzeria Ghia along with one of its designers Tom Tjaarda have been involved in the development of many sports cars made by De Tomaso for a long time. So it is not surprising that for the development of this Pantera replacement model, De Tomaso uses their services again. In short, the design finished and firstly called Pantera II 197x (or 7x).
The De Tomaso Montella Concept was built based on the chassis of the original De Tomaso Pantera. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
The planned production Pantera II 197x (or 7x) was based on the chassis of the original Pantera. With all-new styling and a sweeping cantilevered roofline with open pillars to the rear, Ghia designers had done a great job at advancing both the appearance of the prototype, at the same time carrying over as many components as possible from the Pantera L model, and also powered by a V8 5,663-liter mid-mounted drivetrain.
Unfortunately, the Pantera II 7x production car never came to be. In 1975, supervised by President of Carrozzeria Ghia, Don DeLaRossa, the prototype underwent a conversion. The car was repainted Pearl White over Metallic Bronze, stripped of its Pantera nameplates and fitted with new ones bearing the name De Tomaso Monttella.
The car was then shipped off to the U.S. and titled in Michigan, where it was stored with the hopes of showing it to other manufactures for possible production, shown for the first time at 1974 LA Motor Show. Five years passed, and in 1981 the car was sold to a local Michigan sports car dealer that in turn sold it to a family member of the current owner.
The De Tomaso Montella Concept sat on display at the 2007 Monterey Car Week event. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
It all started when in the 1970s American car enthusiasts fell in love with the recently introduced mid-engine Pantera sports car. The car, which entered the American market thanks to a joint venture between De Tomaso and Ford, looks like it will have bright marketing prospects in the next few years.
And the last time it appeared in public was when it was included in the list of cars being auctioned by RM Auction, Inc. at the 2007 Monterey Car Week event. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | CONCORSODELEGANZAVILLADESTE | CARSTYLING.RU | STORY-CARS | WIKIPEDIA ]
