A coach-built masterpiece from Pantera, the Lamborghini
Ares Design, a Modenese coachbuilding company, is making waves at the global headquarters of coachbuilding. It was founded in 2014 by Dany Bhar, an ex-Lotus CEO. It can best be described as a Saville Row shop, for car lovers. Customers have the option to request small modifications, such as new wheels or leather interiors. Customers can also meet with their tailor to have a complete suit tailored just for them. Project Panther is the first suit made under the Bespoke Creations service.
What is the point?
Project Panther was the idea of a well-heeled, car-mad customer who wanted to make a modern version of the De Tomaso Pantera. It was an original Pantera that provided the customer with his/her inspiration. Bahar says, “Reviving products is a pleasure. It’s not difficult to reimagine old designs while using state-of-the-art technology.
Ares Design began Project Panther in 2017 after sourcing a donor vehicle with the same mechanical setup and footprint. After securing a donor vehicle, the Lamborghini Huracan was chosen and scanned. This supercar, which is mid-engined, was built down the road in Sant’Agata. To ensure Project Panther would meet the brief, sketches were provided to the customer. 3D models were printed to preserve the original car’s proportions and stance, down to the flat rear deck with pop-up headlamps.
All Ares Design vehicles have been prototyped and tested in wind tunnels. They also conform to German TUV standards. However, what Bahar refers as the “hard points” – the core chassis (mechanical set-up), electrical architecture – are left alone to avoid costly homologation. The car is still registered as a Lamborghini.
Although the new car is 10 cm (4 inches) wider than the original, it is only 6 cm (2.4in) longer at its rear and 4 cm (1.6in) at its front. To achieve a better side profile, the car moved the A-pillar forward by 10 cm (4in) but it still retains the Huracan’s original fixing points. Bahar further explains that “we don’t try and copy other companies; we don’t pretend having better capabilities or competencies” than larger companies. We want to be the first person to ever do it.
Project Panther’s inside philosophy is similar. However, many of the major components have been removed and replaced with newer versions to create a more calm, alpha male environment. To increase torsional rigidity 10 percent, a roll-cage was also installed. The carbon fiber body has been said to have reduced the car’s weight by 100 kg (220 pounds).
“We wanted the Pantera to be recreated with the same feeling and without any of the problems. Mihai Panaitescu, design chief, says that the customer doesn’t need to think about anything. He just drives and goes.” Ares Design goes beyond aesthetics. The naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 produces 648 horsepower and can hit 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in less than 3.5 seconds. It also claims a top speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h).
What is the history?
Alejandro de Tomaso, an Argentinian, created the original Panther or Pantera. His company also produced supercars in Modena, and the Pantera was introduced to the world in 1970. It was designed by Ghia in Italy and powered by a Ford Mustang-derived 351 Cleveland engine. A 5.8-liter V8 unit was mated to an automatic ZF five-speed transmission. This made it almost as cheap as a Ford GT40. It could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Elvis Presley was among its owners. The car had reliability problems and was launched during the OPEC oil crises, which led to high petrol prices. After 6,500 units had been produced, production was stopped in 1974.
Are there any competitors?
It’s not. This is car couture at its finest. Although it may not present the most difficult mechanical challenges, it is perhaps the most complex emotionally. Every curve, every crease and every vent reflect the passion of the atelier that gave it its life. You don’t need to think about the financial rewards that Ares Design might achieve. This is because you couldn’t make this kind of thing if you didn’t care.
What time can I purchase one?
Ares Design anticipates that the car will be completed by the end 2018 but here’s what’s really interesting. This one-off car could be expanded with the permission of its original owner and an appropriate price adjustment. It is possible to produce a limited number of five to fifteen cars. You’ll need to spend a lot of money, but this car has a lot of soul, and could be the foundation for a new coachbuilding business. Project Panther will be the first, el primo, no matter what Ares Design does next.