De Tomaso Mustela

The De Tomaso Mustela is a fascinating yet lesser-known creation by Tom Tjaarda, a prolific designer celebrated in the automotive world for his enduring contributions, particularly in the Ford and De Tomaso realms. Tjaarda’s most famous work is undoubtedly the De Tomaso Pantera, but his creative legacy extends to numerous other designs, including the Mustela. In 1969, while working at Ghia, Tjaarda designed the original De Tomaso Mustela. This project showcased his innovative approach to combining elegance with performance. The Mustela’s design reflected the sleek, aerodynamic lines that would later define other iconic vehicles in Tjaarda’s portfolio. Though the Mustela itself didn’t enter full production, it served as a precursor to more notable models, such as the De Tomaso Deauville and the famed Pantera, which emerged in 1970. These cars demonstrated Tjaarda’s ability to craft designs that balanced Italian style with American power, a hallmark of De Tomaso’s brand identity. Tjaarda’s career highlights reveal his deep ties to both Ford and De Tomaso. Early in his career, he worked on Ford’s experimental dragster project IXG in 1960 and later contributed to the Pininfarina Corvair project in 1962. His role in shaping Ford’s design direction became even more apparent in the 1970s. In 1971, he worked on the De Tomaso Zonda and a Mustang design concept, cementing his reputation as a designer capable of blending bold innovation with practical appeal. The Mustela II, introduced in 1973, further demonstrated Tjaarda’s versatility. This concept vehicle was showcased across the U.S., drawing attention to the evolving vision for Ford’s design language. Around the same time, Tjaarda developed designs for the Ford Maverick and pursued design studies for the Ford Mustang II under Ghia’s umbrella. While the De Tomaso Mustela may not enjoy the same level of fame as the Pantera, it exemplifies Tjaarda’s design prowess and his enduring influence on the collaboration between American engineering and Italian artistry.