The Pantera is one of those cars that everyone stares at a little too long when it pulls into a parking lot. It’s stunning design is hard to ignore. The cars are an American-Italian hybrid. They were born when Ford and Alejandro DeTomaso grouped up. DeTomaso was located in Italy and Ford decided to have their cars built in his facility. 6,128 Panteras were produced between 1971 and 1973. The example at hand is said to have just 32k miles and is listed on craigslist in Roseville, California for $105,000. Thanks to Tony Primo for the tip!
The car is finished in red and is in pristine condition. Limited information is available on the history of the car but it’s safe to assume it is the original paint. The factory wheels also present very well. These cars are impossible to hate they’re so unique and interesting all around.
There are no images of the interior in the ad, unfortunately. If the interior is original it is likely finished in black throughout with a gated shifter in between the seats and Pantera floor mats. These cars are spacious and have all the bits and bobs you need with nothing you don’t.
A 5.8L Ford 351 Cleveland V8 sends power to the wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine has allegedly been modified to produce 420 horsepower. The engine from the factory produces 264 horsepower. The work done has not been disclosed by the seller. The images of the engine bay present very clean. I would highly recommend calling the seller for more information. Having said that, this example appears to be in pristine condition. Panteras are hard to come by, and running examples are even harder. This example may need some work in the cabin if it isn’t in good condition but based on the price and mileage its safe to assume it’s in good shape. If you’re interested in calling this 1972 De Tomaso Pantera yours, contact the seller on craigslist.
I would not assume this car has original paint. There is overspray in the front trunk, above the radiator. Someone got very ambitious with an intake manifold/carb combo – can’t even get an air cleaner in there. Meanwhile, the listing is nearly impossible to decipher. For a six figure car. Really?
More like 80k on todays prices.
small detail but the odometer reading is 36,406
Someone did a 4,000 mile test drive.
If i recall correctly this car had an engine internal cover where some extra luggage can be stored for the travel. If the air filter goes too high the cover cannot fit and the additional space is lost. A friend of mine got one, i was amazed by the speed when cornering, he used to take off the aircon belt for more horsepower.
A friend of mine got one when young. I was amazed by its speed at the corners. If i recall correctly these cars had a cover upon the engine that provided more luggage space. If the air filter goes too high the cover cannot fit and the additional space is lost. He also used to take off the aircon driving belt in order to get more hp.
These didn’t have any room for any kind of high rise manifold and still fit under the decklid. They came from the factory with a pretty restrictive manifold and a 4bbl. When I was in college someone was in a speed shop looking at a big high rise for his new one and it would have involved cutting out the rear lid so he passed on it. What he really needed back then was a set of “crossflow” Webers that keep the profile low but flow a lot more. Not cheap but that’s the period correct solution. If you want to go FI you can probably get a package that will fit under the deck.
And the odometer reads 36K not 32. Details.
The listing shows 32k and the odometer photo shows 36k.
This red looks way better than the green one that was on here the other day!
I feel the opposite. The green is classy and unique. This is just another sports car in red.
Simply for the pre-L bumpers. The battering rams on the green one takes so much away from the design.
Pretty cars but electrical nightmares.
Seems like a good deal. No interior photos? The last year for Pantera’s made was 1996.
Like to get eyes on it
I think I may have seen it. I saw this car or its exact twin in Grass Valley CA – short drive up Hwy 80 from Roseville – last spring. It looked (and sounded) awesome.
a top car for me (of the application, but no room here as just like me, work required for its garage space). What a daily !
We never see the FE blocked ones (was it 427 or 8 or 9?). Probably
junked or held onto as projects after the track?
These Clev-modeled ones can have quite luxurious interiors, still there aint nuttin to help back up like the modern-mounted camera~
Thnx Sara – would you own? I need to drive one once, that’s enuff~
No “Edit” function today?
forgot last few ltrs of my name and
“…Drive one once…”
and a GT40. (Almost same thing in my mind)
“429” is NOT an “FE” platform, FWIW
I doubt your stock hp figure on this car. The 264hp stated belonged to the Ford Mustang Mach1 (351-4bbl) that year. I believe the ’72 Pantera was more in line with an earlier 351Boss motor which was 330hp. These cars rode like a 80’s Countach (buck-wagon) & had numerous electrical issues, but were fun to look at!
No mention of the forerunner to the Pantera? The DeThomaso Mangusta was the initial version of these. However, apparently they were poorly engineered (from what I’ve read) and Ford wanted an exotic, so the two firms joined forces to produce the Pantera, which was a bid improvement overall.
Looking at these has me thinking back to the regime of ” Hank the Deuce” as he was referred to during his reign. I think the story was that having obtained an Italian beauty as a trophy wife, he wanted Ferrari as some type of calling card for a ticket to higher up Italian social circles for said wife. That didn’t work out, but even if the movie is only 25% truth, he got a semblance of revenge on the Commander. However, I have been seeing these for 50 some years now, and they still demand attention. How many cars can that be said of? Why didn’t these become more successful? Or any of the other American engined sports cars. I have no first hand knowledge and have never driven one, but the sound and the fury together with a gated five speed must be great fun.
Confused already when trying to read the CL listing.
One thing that I do see is the obvious front end body and paint repair. Not worthy of a Pantera.
The other obvious question is the lack of interior photos.
Yeah, and why no air cleaner cannister?
No pictures of documents that would substantuate any thing.
I would have to know this car personally before even looking twice. Like, being a next door neighbor. Which I’m not.
A Pantera was on my bucket list—until I tried to get into one. I’m 6′ and had a hard time climbing into it–more like slithering into it. I love the looks but check that one off the list.
My brother has owned one for +15 years and we solved the electrical problems with a replacement fuse panel early on , when i was youger , i couldn’t sit in the car but now that i have gotten older , it’s easier …
I really love convertibles and don’t like a tin top on my head , so i don’t use it
But
They are good cars and pretty easy to maintain , probably why their prices are so high , i agree that 80k is market right now and seller is not doing himself favors
YOLO
Ford powered kit and GT style two seaters are maintaining their original six figures, except of course for the Cobras, Shelby and/or kit cars alike, which have achieved the million dollar plus status. I would love to see the Pantera body cars creeping up near that seven figure mark before I drive to Heaven in my Cobra. Good luck to the seller. My only advice and request is: DO NOT COMPROMISE your asking price just to make a sale. This car is worth tons more than you’re asking. That Cleveland mill is a great alternative to the original 289 or 302 that came out of the engine bay, I just hope the original small block was kept off to the side, to go with the car.
I,m pretty sure these came with 351,s.My friend had a 73 with 6k miles.Burgandy and beautiful
Yep, never saw an original one with anything but a 351C.
Heartbreakers AL,
I’m a little confused with your statement about your inferring that these cars had a small block originally?
Can you please clarify?
My mistake, I had Shelby Cobra’s on my mind. And they came powered by SB Ford mills or FE 427’s.
AL, no problem. What is a FE 427?
He might be including FE 427 since stroking 351 Windsors to 427 cubic inches is common. It’s a way of eliminating confusion when both small blocks (Windsor) and FE big blocks are in the same conversation.
Steve R
Must have been a NICE barn this was found in love these my doctor bought an orange one
new back in 72 I remember drooling over it
“FE” is a family of “heavy” block Ford V8s, including 360, 390, 406, 427, 427 “side oilers”, 428 …
Thanks everyone. I always enjoy learning something new.
looks great in red