Low-slung and shiny Ferrari red, this 1972 De Tomaso Pantera in Canoga Park, California looks ready to rip, and a host of tasteful upgrades make this Italian supercar and its big American V8 safer and more powerful than new. Check out more pictures and details here on eBay where a single $35,000 bid has the auction started. This specimen shows well inside and out, and drivers looking to enjoy their exotic with gusto will appreciate this one’s deviations from stock, including Wilwood four-piston brakes and 10-spoke 17 inch alloy wheels.
The original Ford-sourced 351 Cleveland enjoyed a thorough overhaul, now displacing 381 cid (6.2L). At around 3100 lb, the Pantera tips the scales 1500 pounds lighter than some of today’s performance cars. Gloss black paint and immaculate care have this Pantera’s engine bay looking better than new. Custom polished stainless exhaust evacuates spent gasses rearward through quad chrome tips. I remember fitting a Dobi exhaust with quad tips to my 1973 Mercury Capri about 100 years ago, and the sweet sound helped me imagine myself one step closer to supercar ownership.
The black vinyl and cloth interior looks great, and credit the seller for not slapping aftermarket gauges all over the place like a giddy teenager. A gated shifter stirs the five-speed manual transaxle in this mid-engine screamer. The DeTomaso logo includes colors of the Argentinian flag, the DeTomaso’s cattle ranching brand, and an Egyptian “I” for Alejandro de Tomaso’s American wife Isabelle. So, it seems blending the best of America and Italy came naturally for de Tomaso. Thanks to Pantera and DeTomaso-Automobili for some information.
Though gorgeous from any angle, the Pantera won’t be anyone’s first choice for running errands in the city. Dismal rear visibility and small mirrors render this machine more at home on two-lane byways, high-speed roadways, and racing tracks. Tiny chrome bumpers provide protection from gently shoved grocery carts… maybe. Later models wore heavier bumpers to comply with American safety regulations, rendering these earlier units more beautiful and collectable. Would you embrace this Pantera’s performance modifications or chase one that’s all-original?
Fitch imagine if your Capri had a gated shifter 😲🏁
Genius, Stan. I could have crafted one out of plywood and sprayed it silver. I do remember the shift rod for Reverse (full left and back) coming off in a parking lot once. I crawled underneath and re-attached it for passable duty with a single bread tie.
A bread 🍞 tie lol. Why so heavy-duty Fitch 🔧
I would opt for original. If, that is, it was one of the cars that went through Bill Stroppe’s shop to be fettled before going to its original buyer.
I was lucky enough to spend some time with Bill. He filled me in on the work, which in general consisted mainly of some attention to the cooling systems, electrical repairs and general tightening-up of details like suspension bolts.
The stock Pantera was plenty quick, very shiny and, as far as I know, not at all deficient in braking power.
Even if it didn’t run like a scalded ape all you have to do is get a beer and a chair and sit and just look at this beauty.
For some reason the ad is gone.
Howie…maybe the owner got a offer he/she could not refuse! 🕴😎
That’s right, I have a friend that’s ended several auctions early because he was offered more than he expected them to sell for. It’s not an uncommon occurrence.
Steve R
When the ebay listing is totally gone that usually means that the listing was a scam. When a seller sells their item through a different method than ebay the seller can end the listing and say that the item is no longer available. When that happens the listing will still be able to be viewed but no one will be able to purchase the item. This listing is totally gone so it most likely was a scam and someone reported it to ebay.
This is an obvious scam. This exact car with these exact photos changed hands on Bring a Trailer just last month for more than twice what this was going for in this auction.
Simply put, Badass! Usually these got trashed in the States. Tjarrada (Tom) from USA brought the design to Ghia. His idea, a for street designed racecar. The 351 made in Cleveland blocks gave it a Italian-America edge. The engine access, I have always loved. I remember in 1970 seeing the first one at Performance Unlimited in San Jose, CA
But for around $4,500.00 way out of my league. Can you imagine that today? I accept the bigger wheels, the updated gauges and even the color. The engine swap is ok. You do not want to over power these things. Looks are timeless.. sound is all American muscle and still understated and deals can be made but bid quick and high! jv smashpalace
Though most immediately judge on aesthetics, the true beauty is always beneath the surface.
This is one of those that though of a previous generation will bring joy to one that can appreciate the soul within.
Beautiful car. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that wasn’t modified.
Beautiful car! I got to drive a new one in 1972 or 1973. Loads of fun, fairly noisy inside and very uncomfortable after about 2 hours of driving. The original suspension was really stiff (particularly the rear suspension) handled great and had very good brakes. Although I have heard that the original brakes are problematic. I’m with you bobhess! Just to sit and stare at it is a very nice time!
Even if the ad was bogus, this is one serious piece of automotive art. It just about don’t get no cooler than this.
I don’t understand why anyone would get rid of the Campagnolo wheels. They’re just too much a part of “the car”.
nice
My buddy Dave and I worked at a Texaco station 1972-73. The Ford dealer and Mercury-Lincoln dealer were a couple of blocks up the road, and once in a while one of the salesmen would pull in driving a Pantera to get $2 worth of gas (at 42 cents/gallon for premium got you 5 gallons). We were a “gas/check the oil/tires/wash the windshield full service” (long before you pumped your own gas) but we never got to open the hatch, I remember it sounded great driving in and out
b.u.c.k.e.t. l.i.s.t.!!!!!!!