Pantera prices have crept up steadily over the last ten years, evincing the desirability that owners have long thought the cars deserved. The blend of Italian styling and American muscle generated a measure of flaws at the outset of production in 1971, but drivers have finally lived with Panteras long enough to solve their trickiest problems, such as cooling and uneven fuel delivery. Too, the taut Ghia body combined with a simple drivetrain supplying supercar performance has aged well. Here on craigslist is a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera “L” for Lusso, with an asking price of $99,500. This car is currently garaged in Redondo Beach, California, and can be driven to the new buyer’s home. We have Tony Primo to thank for this fine tip.
The mid-mounted powerplant is Ford’s 351 cu. in. Cleveland V8, originally coupled with an Autolite carburetor but now sporting a Holley and an Edelbrock intake manifold. Swapping away from the Autolite is common; the Holley works more reliably with this big V8. Originally generating a whomping 330 bhp, alterations typically add a few ponies, as I would expect here. Power is sent to the wheels via a ZF five-speed manual; the clutch can be heavy on these and the gearshift sits in a gated chrome housing. The seller indicates that the clutch, flywheel, shift trunnion, clutch cylinders, throwout, and pilot bearings were replaced in 2018. The cylinder heads were refreshed and the oil sender has been replaced. The car is represented as numbers matching with an odometer reading of 34k. Not to be picky but the valve covers and air cleaner are not original and the blue is a bit bright versus the stock color. There should be a minimally-carpeted tub that sits in this bay, affording a bit of space for luggage.
Inside the cabin, cozy vinyl buckets combine with Veglia gauges, factory air conditioning and steering wheel, and an aftermarket radio. This photo doesn’t show much, unfortunately, but we can say the headliner is in good shape! The shift boot has been replaced; the radio and horn do not work. These cars have power windows – the mechanism can become balky. Going for an hour’s drive will leave you vibrating to the tune of the engine – it’s right behind your back.
Underside shots are provided with the car on the ground; looks clean enough but an in-person inspection is paramount. Two wheelhouse panels were replaced and I’d want to know why. The wheels are the factory-supplied Campagnolo’s; the black Lusso bumpers have been left in place. A Marti report confirming the yellow body color (repainted once) and an owner’s manual comes with the car. Many of these cars have low miles, but only a small subset has been left in factory condition, and that’s what the market is paying for right now. Altered cars can still command six figures, however. Pending a thorough inspection, this one is promising.
Yes it could be said the Pantera has suffered its share of woes including structural rust. Most cars still on the road have seen the necessary repairs to make them more reliable. As compared to any modern super car a Lusso it’s not! Probably one of the most visceral driving experience one can have in a road legal car. We didn’t see the likes of that experience until the Viper debuted. I would say the Viper is a pussy cat compared to this car. One thing for sure you will never experience the trill like this in anything electric.
A Viper would eat this thing for fun!!
You’ve obviously never driven a Pantera
this holds rd better
Even though the Pantera is the dream car from my high school days you can’t deny the Tesla Plaid straight off the showroom floor 0 to 60 in 2 seconds and quarter mile in 9 seconds at 155 mph.
Ex-Pantera owner, apples and oranges Greg! Different Era’s, you’re comparing a Bi-Plane to a F-35.
I remember seeing one of these driving around our
town when they were fairly new,in this same Yellow color.
Years later,while I was working in my garage,I saw one
drive by our house (again,same color).It then made a u-turn
& pulled up in front of our driveway.
Turned out to be a friend of mine.He showed it to me,
and I was surprised to see some MG parts they used on the
interior.He ended up selling it a little while later.
These are big cars,considering they’re only a two-seater.
His was impressive to me at first,but less so the more I saw it.
No,but I own a Viper. Due diligence. 4.6 second 0 to 60 in 1992. 50/50 weight distribution. No contest friend
Until you reach a corner……. :-)
A couple years ago I saw one at a show and got to talk to the owner. He said he regularly took it on long (100+) mile weekend trips, more or less using it as a cruiser. It was in good but not pristine condition, as would be expected. Obviously he had the mechanicals sorted out. As noted above, he surely must have enjoyed something offering a less-than-quiet-and-smooth driving experience. More power to him.
Thank you Michelle.
I had the pleasure of driving a 71 back in the day, they weren’t just fast, they were quick, extremely quick. As for the air cleaner, it’s aftermarket, I can’t see the valve covers clearly, they look original, and if they are, some yayhoo painted them blue, they should be bare, or polished aluminum.
Original valve covers were not finned. The blue on this set-up is lighter in color than the plain medium blue that should be Ford’s.
https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/correct-rocker-covers
Very close to me, but at that price it does not matter. I always wanted one, just like most great cars the prices have gone way up!!
I am a big Pantera fan, basically because I love 351 Clevelands. I have a ‘show’ Cleveland in my basement just waiting for a rat rod. But I am not sure what a ‘Lusso’ Pantera is. The rubber bumper does not look right for a 72. Rubber bumpers started in 1973 so this 1972 should have the small chrome bumpers.
For inquiring minds…. “Pre-L” refers to pre- lusso.
https://detomaso-automobili.com/pantera/
I had a 71 for 9 years and the 72 didn’t have the rubber bumpers.
Hockey (and coffee) legend Tim Horton perished when he crashed his Pantera on the hi-way through my hometown.
February, ’74 : (
The Sabres presented it to him as a signing bonus. I never understood why he was allowed to drive to Toronto for a game rather than take the team bus. Perhaps he had some business-related work to attend to.
Yes Frank, I’ve wondered the same thing. Perhaps the signing bonus provided him with more latitude re. team meetings, practice time, official functions..
I remember the first time I saw one on the road, going through the curves of loch raven resevoir, north of Baltimore, and it was yellow. I wonder if it’s the same one?
And when new they were the whopping sum of $10K
Versus $5600 base for a 1972 Corvette.
As a 17 year old gas station employee, I pumped Sunoco 260 into a then new yellow 73 Pantera in my home town. The original owner now in his 80s is still around, but car long gone. My current employer has a white 74 model. Beautiful cars.
Im all about Mopars, I’ve owned dozens, but a Viper would have a run for it’s money with a Pantera. The Viper would come out on top but it would be a hell of a race
Yes they were,I remember that price point well,my Dad was shopping in 71 for a new car ,they had one at the dealership,he bought the 71 LTD @ $5,000 sticker,it became my first car in 76,lol.He also had looked at a yellow 70 cyclone gt ,that was more “reasonable” but alas….
One has to remember that this is the cheap version of a Mangusta which itself was a badly flawed vehicle. The two things I recall about driving a new one of these things back in the day were 1. my head banging against the headliner, and I’m only 5’10”. And 2. that ridiculous gated shifter, the transmission was so balky and notchy that it was close to unshiftable and rarely went into a gate without a fight. These were sold through Lincoln Mercury dealers, so good luck having them sorted out by some idiot mechanic in the service department.
Have road and driven a few on the track, at speed and they are one of my least favorite cars. Sightlines are terrible, shifting is sloppy and the turn in and backing leaves a lot to be desired.
While yes, it makes sweet sweet noises, I wouldn’t want it as my track day car.
There’s a lot of cars I’d rather have than a De Tamoso Pantera, but oh my are they good looking, and the 351C is a reliable and highly modifiable engine. I’ve never driven one, so I can’t comment on that aspect but darnit if it wouldn’t look fabulous in my garage. But like I said- there’s a hundred other cars I’d rather spend a hundred grand on, including the late model Dodge Viper.
Isn’t a Pantera what Vince Neil was driving when he wrecked n killed a member of another band?
Yes. It was Razzle. He was the drummer for Hanoi Rocks.
They were going on a beer run when he wrecked.
Even though the Pantera is the dream car from my high school days you can’t deny the Tesla Plaid straight off the showroom floor 0 to 60 in 2 seconds and quarter mile in 9 seconds at 155 mph.
I have driven a pantera and a viper and the viper gets my vote without a doubt!
I am more of a topless guy so its the viper,
The no space no view on the pantera is annoying
Its a great car if you are 5,5 cause its built for a little giuseppi with the cannonball driving skills and removes the mirrors cause they are useless anyway
apples / oranges (design, displacement, year, the buyers MAY B close tho, not sure as 2 ‘classic’ v modern).