We’re pretty excited for this announcement. Many might be wondering why on earth Street Legal TV – who specializes in classic muscle cars and hot rods – is reporting on an Italian super car automaker’s return from obscurity. Well, for those unaware, DeTomaso’s two most well-known forays into American’s mindset were the Mangusta and Pantera, mid-engine, low-slung sports cars propelled by Ford’s so-prevalent-it’s-nearly-infallible 351 Cleveland small block. The big blue V8 came to rest before an aluminum transaxle via a joint effort between the Italian upstart and Ford in the early 1970s.

1974 DeTomaso Pantera GTS

Today, DeTomaso is widely thought of as a brand gone the way of Plymouth, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Hupmobile (look ’em up -Ed.). Thankfully, thing’s aren’t so. DeTomaso has been rescued recently by an Italian automotive industrialist, Gian Mario Rossignolo. Under the new management, DeTomaso is expected to launch a completely new – and extensive – lineup. Celebrating the brand’s new future, Rossignolo opted to “modernize” the previous DeTomaso logo.

Image: AutoBlog

Releasing this “evolution” of the original “T” logo (far left) into a far more modern “DT” logo (far right), we’re able to see the new direction DeTomaso will be taking. The product of “branding guru” Peter Arnell, who was recently made Chief Innovation Officer for the revived brand, the new logo is expected to adorn a new sports car, a luxury sedan, a sport ‘ute, and apparently a Mini rival. Whatever they announce, we look forward to seeing the new DeTomaso lineup at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.