45 Years of MotorWeek, John Davis' Unforgettable Pantera:
About this episode
John Davis shares his nostalgic journey with the Di Tommaso Pantera, a car that combined exotic appeal with American engineering. He recounts the search for a project car in the mid-70s, ultimately choosing a 1973 Pantera that he meticulously rebuilt in his apartment. Davis reflects on the challenges and joys of owning such a unique vehicle, highlighting its quirks and his fond memories, including the car's history with a family and its transformation from a wrecked graduation gift to a beloved ride.
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
In 1975, before he became MotorWeek's trusted voice for 45 seasons, John Davis had a purchase decision to make: Jensen Interceptor or De Tomaso Pantera? Both were exotic cars with American engines he could actually work on. He chose the Pantera—specifically a two-year-old 1973 L model he found in Norfolk, Virginia.
The catch? A family bought it for their son's high school graduation. The son promptly wrecked it. They had it partially repaired, sent him to the Navy, and sold it to John.
John drove it home and completely disassembled it. Every part. His entire apartment became a workshop—engine components in the kitchen, transmission parts in the bedroom, body panels in the living room.
Italian exotic styling. Ford 351 Cleveland V8 power. American engineering he could wrench on himself.
He rebuilt everything that didn't move. Daily Driver until 1979
Decades later, after reviewing thousands of cars on America's longest-running automotive TV show, one truth remains: "I still miss that car today."
The host who's driven everything shares the restoration story that started it all—complete with apartment management nightmares and why choosing American-powered exotics changed his automotive journey.
*** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! ***
Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive.
Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.
Jensen Interceptor
"One was the Jensen Interceptor, which had a Chrysler V8 in it. And the other was the Di Tommaso Pantera and before that the Magusta, but the Magusta was nothing but trouble."
The Jensen Interceptor is a classic British sports car that was made in the late 1960s and 1970s. It has a powerful American V8 engine and is known for its stylish design.
The Jensen Interceptor is a British grand tourer produced from 1966 to 1976, known for its distinctive styling and powerful Chrysler V8 engine. It combines luxury with performance, making it a unique choice among classic cars.
Chrysler V8
"...which had a Chrysler V8 in it. And the other was the Di Tommaso Pantera..."
The Chrysler V8 is a type of engine made by Chrysler that has eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. It's known for being powerful and is often found in American cars.
The Chrysler V8 is a family of V8 engines produced by Chrysler, known for their durability and performance. These engines have been used in various vehicles, including muscle cars and trucks, making them popular among car enthusiasts.
De Tomaso Pantera
"And the other was the Di Tommaso Pantera and before that the Magusta, but the Magusta was nothing but trouble."
The De Tomaso Pantera is a sports car that was made in the 1970s and 1980s. It has a powerful engine and a sleek design, combining Italian style with American power.
The De Tomaso Pantera is a mid-engine sports car produced from 1971 to 1992, known for its combination of Italian design and American muscle, featuring a Ford V8 engine. It gained popularity for its performance and unique styling.
exotic car
"Of course, so was the Pantera, but less so. But what I really wanted was something quote unquote like an exotic car..."
An exotic car is a fancy and expensive car that is very fast and looks unique. They are often rare and are made for people who love cars.
An exotic car refers to a high-performance luxury vehicle that is often rare, expensive, and designed for speed and style. These cars typically feature advanced technology and unique designs, appealing to car enthusiasts and collectors.
Tesla 73 Model
"...year-old Pantera down in Norfolk, Virginia. So a 73 model, which was what was the first, what they call the..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It's known for being fast, having a long battery life, and featuring cool technology like self-driving capabilities, making it a popular choice for many drivers today.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan that has gained significant popularity for its performance, range, and advanced technology features. It represents a major shift towards electric vehicles in the automotive market and is often discussed for its impact on traditional car manufacturers and the environment.
L model
"So a 73 model, which was what was the first, what they call the L model, which meant it had rubber front bumpers to meet the US safety standards."
The L model is a version of the Pantera that had special bumpers to make it safe for driving in the U.S. during the 1970s.
The L model designation for the De Tomaso Pantera refers to a version of the car that was modified to include rubber bumpers, which were required to meet U.S. safety standards in the early 1970s.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.