1971 DeTomaso Zonda at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show • source unknown
The name Zonda comes from Argentina, where it is used to describe a strong wind in the Andres. Obviously, you're aware of the Pagani Zonda supercar, though firstly a bad-ass car is actually the second use of the name Zonda on a car.
At the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, another Zonda blew through the automotive industry…but directed at the executive suites in Detroit.
Designed by Ghia, under Tom Tjaarda's pen, this elegant 2+2 grand touring coupe was intended to be the second car in DeTomaso's model range in the U.S., in support of the Pantera. What a time it was…
1971 DeTomaso Zonda at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show • source unknown
1971 DeTomaso Zonda at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show • source unknown
Why Ford? Why DeTomaso? At the time, Carrozzeria Ghia was in rough financial shape, and despite being owned by the well-heeled Argentinian enthusiast Alejandro de Tomaso, the design house Ghia was sold to Ford in 1970.
Over the next few years, Ghia would become Ford's at-arm's-length styling house…and then devolved into a badge for higher-end trim levels on cars like the Ford Focus.
At that time, de Tomaso worked to get the DeTomaso Pantera offered in the U.S. at select Lincoln-Mercury dealers…and it was only natural that the partnership extended to a second model less involved than that low-slung, mid-engined car.
Story continues after sources…
READ NEXT: Matt Stone Cars has the most recent writeup on the Zonda, and queried sources at Ford (to no avail). Flavien Dachet at CarDesignNews has a full feature on the Zonda, which I cannot read, because I can’t afford a membership 😅 But I would assume it’s a terrific overview of this lost concept car.
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