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De Tomaso Pantera

  • Time Capsule
  • Early Model
  • rare colour

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De Tomaso’s third and highest volume road-going production model was the iconic Pantera. In 1970 the Pantera debuted with a brand-new high-volume design concept, one which embodied the core pillars of De Tomaso which combined the muscle power of an American V8 with signature Italian styling whilst offering world-class performance at a fraction of the price of its competitors.

Alejandro de Tomaso’s relation with Ford first started in 1963, when he developed his first road-car, the Vallelunga. The Vallelunga was a mid-engined grand touring car that featured a four-cylinder Ford Cortina engine. After the Vallelunga, De Tomaso collaborated with Carroll Shelby and Ford to develop a replacement chassis for his ‘King Cobras’ featuring an Italian body, however that project (the P70 Program) didn’t go as planned, as Shelby ended up leaving to work on the GT40 program.

De Tomaso’s efforts to-date had garnered the attention of famed Lee Iacocca, head of Ford North America, who instructed Ford’s product division to hold negotiations with De Tomaso. The vision was to have De Tomaso create a GT car that could be mass-produced and sold through Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury dealership network. Ford desired a car that would overshadow the Corvette and anything else General Motors could produce and Iacocca had a keen plan to leverage Alejandro de Tomaso’s suave “Italian” image to promote the car.

The notion was to create a car featuring a steel unibody ‘monocoque’ body rather than the more exotic backbone chassis of the previous cars, and that was powered by a suitable Ford V8 engine mated to a production ZF transaxle. This was to be the Pantera (Italian for Panther). The design was by American Tom Tjaarda working for Ghia and its engineering was done by Gianpaolo Dallara, whom De Tomaso had lured away from Lamborghini.

The first initiative was the Pantera, the car most often associated with De Tomaso. In Italy the prototype-car was built under the code name “Tipo 874” but at Ford the project was named M.S.E for Mid-Ship-Engine. The Pantera was meant for the American market and Ford kept the rights to serve this market. Importation was handled by De Tomaso of America Inc. in Livonia, Michigan and sales and the Lincoln-Mercury Division in Dearborn looked after service. De Tomaso was allowed to sell the car in other areas of the world.

At this time, Ford was concerned from a corporate and public relations standpoint about how to best manage this new international relation and had just issued a press release proudly announcing the partnership between Ford and the De Tomaso – Ghia – Vignale holding group for “an exchange of technical services” including the “building of specialty sports cars.”

1970 | Ford Acquires Equity Stake in De Tomaso

In 1970, this led Ford to acquire an 80 per cent interest in Ghia and Vignale from Rowan and Alejandro. Iacocca was appointed chairman of the newly combined entity and De Tomaso continued as head of his own firm but ended up relinquishing his management positions at Ghia and Vignale after the deal was closed.

In March 1970, the Pantera made its North American debut, a few weeks after its Modena Premiere, at the New York Auto Show. Journalists were impressed and noted the Pantera’s design made the Corvette’s look tame in comparison and predicted that they had seen the future of sports cars.

In 1971 approximately 300 Panteras were sold in Europe and when the initial cars arrived in the U.S., it became apparent that further refinement was required, however, an constant evolution and improvement process rectified these issues and the Pantera was a true bargain.

However, in 1973 a combination of the oil & gas crisis and the U.S. emissions requirements caused Ford to lose interest in the Pantera program and in shortly thereafter the parties separated in 1974.

Several 1975 prototypes and alternatives were shown, but it was just the wrong time. It was unfortunate but importation stopped at the end of 1974. Lincoln-Mercury claimed that 6,091 Panteras had been brought to the U.S. by then.

The Pantera saw multiple variants over its twenty-three year production

This DeTomaso Pantera was built in 1971 and is a real Time Capsule. 

It has the Serial Number # 20206 and the very rare colour of medium green. It is a very early Panthera with the flat engine lid.

The Car has only 22500 miles on the clock with is equal to 38.000km. The original paint of medium green was redone sometime in the 80s.

The Ford V8 Engine, 351, 4v. was dynoed at 350hp. The original and matching numbers engine was recently overhauled. Since than, only 1000km were driven. The Car is shifted with the original ZF Gearbox with 5 Gears.

During the 80’S, the exhaust pipes were changed. The engine currently breathes through Edelbroke, but the original Carburator come with the Car.

The DeTomaso comes with original 70’s Arriva tyres and 7/8 inch magnesium Campagnolo wheels for show use.For driving the car has later production Campagnolo Style 8/10 wheels with BF- tyres. On the inside, you find an original interior with radio delete plates and seatbelt holders. It has the original engine cover screen and fibreglass tub for the engine bay. Original black tarnish style paint on engine bay and frame. Original manual with Tom Tjaardas signature. Basically, everything that could be maintained untouched has been left untouched and parts that needed restoration were done and taken care of.The seller states that the Condition is excellent for a driver.

No rust issues.

Paint 9-. ( It has some wear and small problems here and there on the exterior paint) Which is ok for a 20+ year old paint.

Go through the picture and enjoy.

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The vehicle description is provided to the best of the seller’s knowledge and belief. We at Getyourclassic use our experience to work with the seller to provide a correct and accurate vehicle description. However, the bidder must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description and make all necessary enquiries before placing a bid. Our General Terms and Conditions apply exclusively.

Year

1971

Make

DeTomaso

Model

Pantera

VIN

20206

Colour

medium green

Engine

V8

Displacement

5763

Horsepower

350

Kilometers

38000

Location

Finnland

Total Bids Placed:

Auction has expired

Auction Expired because there were no bids
Auction started 22. July 2022 20:00

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Michael
1 year 8 months ago

More pictures of the bottom, please. Gladly also from the two sills and the four wheel arches.

Support
1 year 8 months ago

@Michael we forwarded it to the seller