The 1972 De Tomaso Pantera is not a classic in the traditional American muscle car sense, but it belongs in this conversation because it was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers and represents the most successful attempt to marry Italian styling with American mechanical simplicity.

The Cleveland 351 four-barrel V8 is the Pantera's engine, and it's a unit that any American mechanic can work on. The chassis is a pressed-steel monocoque of Italian design. The result is a mid-engine exotic that looks like a Ferrari competitor but runs like a Mustang.

The early cars have cooling and rust issues that are well-documented and well-addressed by the restoration community. The later cars addressed the cooling problems at the factory. The community knowledge base is exceptional. The driving experience is unlike anything else available at anywhere near the price.