Needs Finishing: 1974 De Tomaso Pantera

The De Tomaso Pantera was an unsuccessful attempt by Ford to introduce an exotic sports car to its model range. Quality control issues hampered sales, although the Pantera soldiered on for over a decade after the last vehicles rolled out of Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. This 1974 example has sat for years, but the seller has begun the mechanical revival process. It is rock-solid and ready for a new owner to return it to its rightful place on our roads. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Pantera listed here on eBay in Sheridan, Wyoming. The seller set their price at $79,500 with the option to make an offer.

Introduced in 1971 to replace the Mangusta, the De Tomaso Pantera enjoyed a relatively long production life. It remains the company’s most successful model thirty-four years after the last car left the factory. Ford became involved with De Tomaso via Lee Iacocca, with a contract signed between the two companies in late 1971. Ford would market the Pantera as an exotic halo vehicle, selling cars via the Lincoln-Mercury dealership network. However, various factors meant that sales never achieved the projected volumes, and Ford ended its contract in 1975. The dust on this 1974 example probably tells its story quite effectively. It appears to have sat for many years, waiting for someone to return it to its rightful place on our roads. It is worth noting that the existing White paint isn’t original, with the seller stating that the car began life finished in Yellow. Given the minor imperfections visible in the listing images, a cosmetic refresh would be an ideal opportunity to restore the original shade. The underside shots confirm that the car is rock-solid, and, contrary to what the picture might suggest, any removed parts are included.

The links between De Tomaso and Ford went deeper than a sales agreement between the two firms. De Tomaso used Ford’s 351ci V8 to power the Pantera, mid-mounting the motor to drive the rear wheels via a five-speed ZF manual transaxle. Although the 351 was detuned to meet strict North American emission regulations, it still generated a relatively healthy 266hp, making the sleek Pantera a fairly rapid vehicle. The seller indicates that this classic is numbers-matching. They have commenced the mechanical revival process after years in storage. The spotless condition of the motor could indicate a recent rebuild, and it seems the brakes and other components have also received attention. Therefore, if it hasn’t already happened, coaxing the De Tomaso back to life may not be difficult.

As with the rest of the vehicle, the Pantera’s interior is partially dismantled. However, it appears that every removed piece is present, leaving the buyer to bolt it back together. The dashpad and wheel are cracked, but the leather trim and other upholstered surfaces may present acceptably following a deep clean. Only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth, but this aspect of the revival may involve more time than money to complete.

The concept of Ford marketing the De Tomaso Pantera via its Lincoln-Mercury dealerships made some sense, because it was a halo model that drew customers through the doors. However, with buyers generally focusing on more fuel-efficient models following the energy crisis, that factor and ongoing quality control issues led Ford to discontinue sales in 1975. Today, it is possible to buy a slightly rough example of the 1974 Pantera for under $100,000, but prices well into six-figure territory are more common. This one needs work to reach that level, but are you willing to tackle its revival?