The de Tomaso Pantera. Around $10,000.*

           In Italy, men build cars with passion. One of them is Alejendro de Tomaso. And his car is Pantera. Conceived without compromise. A car so carefully built (it is virtually handmade) there will only be
2,500 made the first year. Mid- engined like a racing car.  An ultra-high-performance sports coupe that stands a little higher than the average man's belt buckle it seats two (and only two) and its priced in the neighborhood of $10,000.

Obviously, Pantera is for the few that demand something extraordinary.

               The body is the inspired work of Ghia, the renowned coach builder. It is Italian craftsmanship at its finest. Monocoque construction fuses the steel skin and the frame into an incredibly strong and rigid structure.
                 The engine is a 351 CID, 4-barrell V-8 placed just ahead of the rear axle, which gives Pantera some huge advantages over conventional sports cars. Better vision forward. Less power-loss. Better weight distribution. And the tightest, most satisfying handling characteristics you've ever experienced.
               With five forward speeds fully synchronized, independent suspension of all four wheels (die cast magnesium wheels are

 

optional), rack and pinion  steering, power-boosted disc brakes - even an ingenious system to keep you from inadvertently selecting the gear while shifting, the de Tomaso Pantera has to be one of