Hiding in this garage is an Italian exotic promising an exhilarating driving experience. It is a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, and with the seller recently blueprinting its original V8, it should produce plenty of power and torque. It has covered a mere 47,000 miles and is a turnkey proposition. The seller listed the Pantera here on Facebook Marketplace in Novato, California, and it appears they dropped the price from $125,000 to $110,000.
Introduced to replace the Mangusta, Ford collaborated with De Tomaso to market the Pantera in its Lincoln-Mercury dealerships from late 1971 until 1975 as a halo model. It was the first car De Tomaso produced using unibody construction, and rust could be a major issue. However, the seller has been this Pantera’s custodian for over thirty years, and it has spent its life in a dry location. Therefore, the lack of visible problems is unsurprising. The company offered 1972 buyers seven paint shades, and this car’s first owner chose Code V613 Silver. The paint looks consistent across the car, with no apparent patchiness in the limited exterior shots. Many enthusiasts believe these earlier Panteras are the pick of the bunch, featuring elegant European bumpers rather than the more cumbersome ones De Tomaso was forced to adopt in 1973 to meet tighter safety requirements. The trim is in good condition, the glass is clear, and the car sits on its original Campagnolo magnesium wheels.
This Pantera features an aftermarket radio/cassette player. Otherwise, its interior is as it left the factory. Trimmed in Black, the only genuine fault appears to be typical slight wear on the outer carpet edges. The upholstered surfaces are clean, and the overall condition is consistent with the mileage claim. The dash and console are excellent, and there is no visible wheel wear. The seller provides no engine bay images, but there is plenty of good news: it appears that this beauty is numbers-matching, retaining its original Ford 351ci “Cleveland” V8 and five-speed ZF manual transaxle. De Tomaso quoted power and torque figures of 310hp and 380 ft/lbs for the Pantera, stating that it could reach 162mph. This car should at least match those figures, because the listing suggests that the seller rebuilt and blueprinted the V8. Potential buyers should consider the Pantera as a turnkey proposition.
There are many reasons why an owner will choose to part with a beloved classic, and failing health is the cruelest blow. After thirty years in their care, the seller acknowledges that their hand has been forced, and that this 1972 De Tomaso Pantera must find a new home. They suggest possible trades, but don’t elaborate on potential candidates. However, since they are clearly a genuine enthusiast, it may need to match their preference for high-performance models. If you had the ideal candidate, would you consider reaching out? I wish you luck if you do.
It is exempt from our strenuous smog laws. I would take great delight in working on the engine with that in mind.😬
Better hurry listed 4 years ago!!
Dynacorn makes several repop body’s Stang 65-73 camaro 67-73, 57 Chevy 70 bronco….just wish someone would talk them into repop of the Pantera body shell.
Very nice, except the what looks like a Montana license plate on the back in the first picture. Hopefully they’ve updated the registration in California. I’m curious what the other car that sits underneath it on the rack that it’s up on. Looks like another exotic possibly.
Some Californians attempt to dodge sales tax and inspections by registering their rides to a LLC in Montana. The practice has been somewhat widespread for over 10 years in California and several other jurisdictions. Many States are now closing similar loopholes, and going after car owners for back-taxes. The proliferation of automated licence plate readers is strongly aiding tax enforcement. I am not saying that is happening with this car, but it is a distinct possibility.
Thanks Cam. I’ve heard of people keeping the plates from a previous state, because that state has cheaper registration. I know I see a lot of out of state plates here in California, because I assume they’re dodging all of the fees here. Make sense?
the car underneath looks like a Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer.
Failing health? But asking for trades?? Now, does that make sense?? No!
It’s been on the market for four years and they just dropped the price so they want it gone.. perhaps the trade is a strategy to get something that will sell faster.
Not the best color for a Pantera, but I could live with it.
As usual, the ONE seller is referred to as a “they” instead of a he. I too wonder about the bad health but will consider trades…hm… Also, can someone in-the-know please clarify something? I know that ’71s had chrome bumpers and that ’73s moved to rubber. I have in the past seen ’72s with both chrome like a ’71, and the ’71-style bumpers but black (!!). Something tells me that both chrome and black paint were NOT options in ’72, but only ONE of them was factory-correct…and that someone must have either chromed black painted bumpers or painted chrome ones black to not pay for rechroming.. What did ’72s actually leave the factory with? Thank you in advance.
This story has more holes than Sonny Corleon’s Lincoln!
I also see that it has the “tax evading” illegal Montana plates.