From the glory days of Car and Driver magazine, when the writers could actually write and the editorial board had more influence than the actual board, came this wonderful line about the De Tomaso Pantera GT5: This is a car for kicking ass. That’s about as perfect as it gets when describing the thoroughly emboldened Pantera that re-emerged in the U.S. after its memorable introduction in the 1970s. These later cars rarely appear for sale, and this 1985 GT5 listed here on eBay for $145,000 is one of the only examples I’ve seen come up for sale in recent memory. With only 37,000 miles on the clock, it’s also not seen much use.
At the same time, however, this Pantera has been used, as it’s not sitting here with delivery miles. Like the modern-day Ford GT, that’s the beauty of a car with a powertrain that can be serviced at your local Lincoln-Mercury dealer. However, the GT5 and later GT5-S were significantly different cars than the original that blew minds and gave Italian exotics a serious run for their money a few years earlier. The key difference between the two variations came down to cosmetics, primarily, with the GT5 shown here incorporating flared bodywork and front and rear spoilers that made no attempt at subtlety, whereas the GT5-S massaged those exaggerated lines with more refined bodywork.
One of the drivers behind the bodywork changes beyond simply it reflecting the styling preferences of the era was the desire to stuff modern-day supercar tires into the wheel wells, including the likes of the Pirelli P7. The GT5 featured 10-inch wide wheels at the front and 13-inches at the rear, leaving little doubt as to this car’s intentions. Other big changes included a more luxurious interior, with leather seating surfaces, woodgrain trim, air conditioning, and power windows/mirrors/and central locking all now standard equipment. No matter how much luxury they introduced, however, you still had to jam your cassettes into a vertically-stacked head unit.
And of course, the engine bay retained an old friend in the form of Ford’s dependable and affordable 5.7L Cleveland V8, booming out a respectable 350 b.h.p. and 333 lb.-ft. of torque. A ZF 5-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential helped put the power down, along with those massive wheels and tires. The GT5, in my opinion, looks absolutely phenomenal with the optional Lamborghini-style rear spoiler removed, and I, for one, enjoy its wild bodywork and bonded fender extensions. There’s nothing wrong with subtlety, but if you’re buying a Pantera, chances are you’re not a wallflower. These are fantastic cars for bot collecting and driving, and I’m guessing a bit undervalued at the moment.
Too over the top, even for Elvis.
I have always loved these, and yes this is a very late car. Nice write up Jeff, but you have two different years listed.
I too think these look great. The evolution of the body got better & better. I think, if I had the wherewithal, I would hold off for a GT5-S, though, with the rounded flares.
Located in: Woodside, New York
I’ve always liked other peoples Panteras (and other peoples Alfa Romeos and Jensen Healeys and Lancias and…) and this one is a peach. Nothing like a car that’s been used but obviously cherished. Thanks for the shout out to the days of David E. Davis and Jean Lindamood when Car and Driver stirred a young man’s soul.
I like the first ones. Smooth. Bought a ’73 in 1990, orange, still have it!
I was in lust with gen1 Pantera as a pre-license teen (early 70’s), the quad exhaust with fat rear tires was a must for me. Why on earth would somebody with an expensive exotic advertise a gem like this saying, “It could use a set of tires” (Ebay ad)? Just put them on, and it’s more sellable and sounds maintained, imo!
This spoiler is garish, at best. But if you’re buying a Pantera you are far past the basic transportation idea, anyway. It surprises me that just like when they were introduced, they are an outstanding value per dollar. Where else do you get such presence and scoot for the price? I never thought I would think “bargain” and 40 year old exotic without some type of drug induced stupor. The new normal
The engine is a 351. If you must convert to liters, at least get it right. 5.8
This car would look great if all of the superfluous junk was peeled off of it.
OK. I feel better now.
I’ll bet that it’s much more stable over 100 mph than a stock one! They were extremely light in the front end at speed. Very scary!
They are light if you let off too soon. Like a Mustang. Now that is scary!
Cheap insult, Jeff. The writers at C+D can still write, and I guarantee that none of them would pen a line like “One of the drivers behind the bodywork changes beyond simply it reflecting the styling preferences of the era…”