Pantera.

Expensive as it was back in the early 1970s, and plagued with a buttload of tech problems, properly restored examples are great values.  A decent early Pantera can be had for just $35K.  A well-restored example can be free of the mechanical glitches, while offering sleek looks, a durable Ford engine, and hot numbers. 

Funny how Alejandro de Tomaso built himself a small empire with Maserati and Moto Guzzi being a couple of acquisitions.  As it turned out, de Tomaso's empire really just consisted of weak and vulnerable companies that fell apart faster than Yugoslavia after Tito's death. 

• Wed, 08/27/2008 - 20:21
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Let me advance upon that with a car more down-to-earth: the Alfa Romeo Montreal.  The Montreal was a 1970s GT introduced around the same time as the Pantera.  The Montreal ran from 1970 to '77 and was equipped with a low-displacement (2.6 L) V-8 generating a max of 200 hp. 

It's never caused much stir, but it is a beauty which enough quirks in its styling to make it standout, and a fair amount of power compared to the run-of-the-mill Junior Spiders Alfa was churning out in the decade.

It sure as hell has aged better than the Lambo Jalpa, Maserati Indy, or Ferrari 400i.  A real gem for around $20K.

• Mon, 09/01/2008 - 18:09
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