De Tomaso 'NOTYCAT' Pantera: A Real Naughty Cat with Unleashed Power

Hidden GEMS - In the world of high-performance automobiles, the pursuit of innovation and boundary-pushing design has always been at the forefront. Some vehicles are born from a place of tradition, while others are radically altered to challenge and reshape what’s possible. The 1971 De Tomaso Pantera, an iconic sports car originally handcrafted in Turin, Italy, is one such example. 

The 1971 De Tomaso "NOTYCAT" Pantera is a heavily modified, twin-turbocharged masterpiece wrapped in matte black, meticulously crafted by Shad Bruce. (Picture from: DeTomaso Pantera NOTYCAT On Facebook)

However, the Pantera that has captured the automotive world’s attention in recent years is not the one that rolled off the production line in the '70s. It is the custom-built "NOTYCAT," a heavily modified Pantera crafted by Shad Bruce in the United States. This twin-turbocharged masterpiece takes a classic Italian design and turns it into an aggressive, high-performance machine capable of competing with modern supercars.

The De Tomaso "NOTYCAT" Pantera was created by Shad Bruce, built upon a yellow 1971 "Pushbutton" Pantera that he acquired in 2004. (Picture from: DeTomaso Pantera NOTYCAT on Facebook)

The journey of the NOTYCAT began in 2004 when Shad Bruce acquired a 1971 De Tomaso 'Pushbutton' Pantera with the intent to restore and enhance it. What started as a routine restoration soon evolved into a complete re-imagining of the car. Over the course of more than a decade, Bruce worked tirelessly on modifying every single aspect of the Pantera, reworking its powertrain, structure, and styling to create something truly extraordinary. By 2016, the NOTYCAT was born—a twin-turbocharged beast that had left behind the traditional confines of the original Pantera to become a car unlike any other.

The 1971 De Tomaso "NOTYCAT" Pantera commands attention with its aggressive design, featuring sharp futuristic lines and a widebody stance that embodies power, perfectly reflecting Shad Bruce's vision. (Picture from: DeTomaso Pantera NOTYCAT on Facebook)

The custom-built Pantera’s appearance alone is enough to turn heads. Bruce's vision for the NOTYCAT was one of aggressive design, combining sharp, futuristic lines with a widebody stance that exudes power. The front end of the car is striking, with bold features that give the Pantera a modern, edgy look. The rear of the car, however, is where the real spectacle lies. Here, the engine bay is fully exposed, revealing the powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine in all its glory. Massive intercoolers flank the engine, adding to the high-performance aesthetics, while the quad-exhaust system promises a spine-tingling soundtrack to match its aggressive looks.

The 1971 De Tomaso 'NOTYCAT' Pantera boasts a striking front end with bold, modern features, while its rear steals the spotlight with an even more dramatic and eye-catching design. (Picture from: NOTYCAT Pantera on Instagram)

Clearly, this custom-built Pantera boasts several standout features that set it apart from the rest. The front hood, for instance, showcases a striking paint design with the word "NOTYCAT" outlined in yellow, positioned horizontally over a black-and-white photo collage that depicts the Pantera assembly process in Turin, Italy—an artistic tribute to the De Tomaso brand. Adding to the uniqueness, just nearby, there's a custom aluminum air duct and grille intricately crafted with the De Tomaso emblem motif, further enhancing the car’s distinctive character.

The 1971 De Tomaso 'NOTYCAT' Pantera features a striking front hood design with "NOTYCAT" outlined in yellow, set horizontally over a black-and-white photo collage of the Pantera assembly in Turin, Italy, as a tribute to the De Tomaso brand.. (Picture from: DeTomaso Pantera NOTYCAT on Facebook)

One of the most captivating aspects of this build is its beautifully designed engine compartment. It’s not just about the aggressive wide-body stance; the goal was also to create a way to highlight the heart of the machine. What stands out is the engine cover itself—a truly one-of-a-kind design featuring tempered glass cut with precision using a water jet. The glass is further enhanced by a bold, CNC-routered aluminum ornament in a striking "X" shape, adding both visual appeal and a sense of craftsmanship that reflects the car’s extraordinary level of detail.

The 1971 De Tomaso 'NOTYCAT' Pantera features a uniquely designed engine cover with precision water-jet-cut tempered glass, enhanced by a bold CNC-routered aluminum "X" ornament that showcases its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. (Picture from: NOTYCAT Pantera on Instagram)

Under the glaas-covered rear hood of the NOTYCAT lies a heavily modified 351 Cleveland iron-block V8, now expanded to a monstrous 408 cubic inches. The engine’s raw displacement is just one part of the equation—Bruce overhauled every single component with high-performance upgrades to ensure that the car would reach new heights of power and speed. The addition of twin turbos, twin intercoolers, twin fuel cells, and other advanced components helped push the power output to a staggering 900 horsepower, transforming the once modest Pantera into a hypercar capable of competing with some of the most cutting-edge vehicles on the road today.

The 1971 De Tomaso "NOTYCAT" Pantera is powered by a heavily modified 351 Cleveland iron-block V8, expanded to a monstrous 408 cubic inches, with twin turbos, twin intercoolers, twin fuel cells, and other advanced components boosting its power output to a staggering 900 horsepower. (Picture from: DeTomaso Pantera NOTYCAT on Facebook)

But NOTYCAT isn’t just about power; it’s also about the philosophy of the build. Bruce is a strong advocate of the "built, not bought" mentality, and every element of the NOTYCAT reflects that philosophy. Each modification, from the engine upgrades to the bespoke styling choices, was executed with meticulous attention to detail. This wasn’t a quick project—it was a labor of love, crafted over many years, and with every upgrade, the car evolved into a refined yet outrageous machine that balanced performance and design flawlessly.

The 1971 De Tomaso 'NOTYCAT' Pantera boasts a race-inspired cockpit with a bold yellow-accented dashboard, modern gauges, and a sleek, functional center console. (Picture from: DeTomaso Pantera NOTYCAT on Facebook)

As word of the NOTYCAT’s radical transformation spread, it quickly became a sensation on social media, particularly on Instagram, where automotive enthusiasts from around the world were captivated by its aggressive stance and unmatched performance. While some purists may argue against the extensive modifications, there’s no denying that the NOTYCAT represents a new era for the Pantera. It blends the old with the new, honoring the car’s classic Italian roots while embracing modern performance engineering.

The 1971 De Tomaso "NOTYCAT" Pantera redefines the concept of a classic car, transforming it from a mere upgrade into a bold reimagining of what’s possible in the hands of a true innovator. (Picture from: @Retromania4ever on X)

What makes the NOTYCAT so special is its ability to redefine the concept of a classic car. It is not just an upgraded Pantera; it is a reimagining of what a classic can become when placed in the hands of a true innovator. With its monstrous power, radical design, and fearless performance, the NOTYCAT is a statement in the automotive world. It shows that there are no limits to what can be achieved with a classic chassis, a visionary mindset, and a relentless commitment to performance and design.

The NOTYCAT has emerged as more than just a car—it is a bold declaration of what’s possible when tradition meets modern innovation. As it roars down the road, it serves as a reminder that the boundaries of automotive design are not fixed, and the future of performance is as limitless as the imagination. Wherever this beast goes, it commands attention and sparks conversation, capturing the essence of what it means to truly push the limits of speed, power, and design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DETOMASO PANTERA NOTYCAT ON FACEBOOK | NOTYCATPANTERA ON INSTAGRAM | NICOLE JOHNSON'S DETOUR ON YOUTUBE | DELDIOSMOTORCLUB | CLUBLEXUS | TORKBUZZ | CONCEPT45 | SHIFT-S3CTOR | SPEEDSOCIETY ]

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