Arguably so, engine swaps are the epitome of vehicle modification. Nothing’s worse than having a fantastic looking platform with great handling, and a sub-par powerplant. How does on resolve such a conundrum? Engine swap!

Now, in the case of the De Tomaso Pantera, the 330-rated horsepower, 351 cubic-inch Ford V8 that propelled the first 1971 models was no slouch. Carrying its lucky passengers to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds, the Pantera had power enough to keep thoughts of engine-swaps well out of the minds of their owners.

However, today’s standards have raised the bar quite a bit. The exotic, aggressive styling of the Pantera is without question a timeless design, but the power output has grown to be a bit dated. It seems that – at least for Nelson Racing Engines in Chatsworth, California – the Pantera has become the aforementioned fantastic platform with a sub-par powerplant.

Nelson Racing Engines (NRE) is renowned for their “sky’s the limit” approach to extracting horsepower. NRE is a high-performance engine builder and parts manufacturer that focuses on producing ’round about 1,500 horses with their twin-turbo works of art.

Per Engine Swap Depot, such is the goal for the Pantera that NRE currently has under construction. A custom-made chassis from The Roadster Shop in Mundelein, Illinois – complete with independent front and rear suspension – serves as the skeleton for this beast. Yet another Ford V8 will rest behind the cockpit, as NRE will be installing one of its 1,500-horsepower, twin-turbo, 428 cubic-inch Windsor motors.

There’s a lot of work yet to be done, but this will undoubtedly be one sinister machine. And in case you don’t have the full scope of NRE’s twin-turbo Windsor, check out the video below and take it all in.