De Tomaso On Its Way Back Thanks to Ex Fiat Exec

For those that began their love affair with sports cars in the 80’s like myself, the De Tomaso Pantera is a name that inspires a very fond nostalgia. Like smaller sports car manufacturers today, De Tomaso didn’t dominate the scene like a Ferrari or Porsche, which only helped to increase the Pantera’s beauty and distinction. Unfortunately, the Pantera faded out back in the 90’s. While De Tomaso continued on for over a decade, it wasn’t quite the same without its halo. It filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

Word is that Gian Mario Rossignolo, a former Fiat marketing executive, intends to revive De Tomaso. He purchased the name from a Modena, Italy bankruptcy court and intends to build three aluminum cars under it: a luxury sedan, a crossover and a coupe, with a production of 8,000 units a year.

While we’re less than enthused about the crossover, and not much more hopeful for the sedan, the coupe certainly brings hope of a new Pantera-esque offering. The first new-gen De Tomaso is expected to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. We certainly can’t wait to get a look. [AutoWeek via Motor Authority]