Reply to "Is this legit"

There are some inaccuracies in the historic record surrounding the Pantera such as who owned what companies. The DeTomaso family has not been big on correcting that, but I have heard a few things. The various registries are helping to slowly clarify the production history as chassis numbers & build dates are being collected.

One thing is certain, Ford owned Vignale and Vignale manufactured the Ford spec Pantera coaches. This is why Ford was able to destroy the body stampings. I am under the impression that ALL of the coaches built by Vignale had US sized license plate openings.

It has been rumored all along that somebody at Ford who was friendly towards DeTomaso sold approximately 200 left over Vignale coaches to DeTomaso after Ford closed down the coachworks at Vignale (Fall 1974). So far this has held true, the latest Vignale coach known to me at this time is 7554, that car (a group 3) was manufactured in 1975. 7554 is 174 coaches more than 7380, the last Pantera imported to North America by Ford. I cannot say if any Panteras were assembled in 1976. The Maggiora cars began appearing in 1977.

cowboy from hell