Original Tires Included: 1973 De Tomaso Pantera

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The De Tomaso Pantera is a car that needs no introduction, as it’s one of the more sough-after (and still attainable) sports exotics from the 1970s. That “attainable” aspect is interesting, as I suspect the Pantera is heading for a bit of a plateau, meaning its value may be leveling off. That’s just rampant speculation on my part, but if you wanted to buy one that will at least hold its value, a rare color scheme such as the one found on this green Pantera listed here on craigslist could be a shrewd investment.

This Pantera is offered for $99,730 and is said to be highly original, even coming with its factory-installed tires that apparently still hold air. That’s not what’s currently installed, but it’s a neat party trick to be able to show those off when parked at the local cruise-in. The seller highlights lots of original features, such as the steering wheel, factory windshield wiper holders, and 15-inch Campagnolo magnesium rims. The body panels are said to shut cleanly and aside from a inoperative oil pressure gauge, it seems like a turnkey example.

The paint job is interesting, as it looks a little too nice for even an original example, but there’s no mention of a respray. The interior is in outstanding shape and lends credence to the statements made about its preserved state. Seeing seats in this sort of condition is incredible enough, but then you complement it with door panels and carpeting in the same sort of condition and it’s simply a time-warp. The paint inside the door jams does look a little less lustrous in the photos, but that could be bad lighting; still, I’d want to know more about any history of a paint job.

The car is listed on consignment and the provided details all seem to suggest the caretaker is the sort of owner to sweat the details. He keeps a working oil pressure gauge in the car but swaps in the non-functioning original at car shows to maintain the appearance of a factory interior. Other replacement parts have seemingly been installed on a need-only basis, with the radiator and brake calipers previously replaced. For $100,000, you could do far worse for one of the most sought-after exotics of its day; the question is whether that price will shift much in the years to come. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Todd K. for the find.

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Comments

  1. Howie

    Yes a rare color, but you will need to like that color to buy.

    Like 11
    • Yblocker

      Same with any color, you will need to like it lol

      Like 2
    • Paul

      I always laugh when I see that rare color, sure it is rare no one wanted that color when the car was new

      Like 1
  2. Fox Owner

    Really cool car but, no pictures of the engine? And for nearly 100k that bedside alarm clock on top of the dash looks janky.

    Like 4
  3. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

    Finally a craigslist ad with quite a bit of detailed information. I’ve never seen one in this color. It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I don’t doubt that the original tires draw attention at a show. Cool car.

    Like 1
  4. bobhess bobhessMember

    With a color matching an old Conoco gas truck you’ve got to want one of these very badly, especially at the asking price.

    Like 3
    • Yblocker

      Old Conoco gas trucks were green? Guess my memory slipped me. What if this Pantera was red? Old Texaco gas trucks were red. In fact, I’ll bet just about every Pantera came in the same color as some old gas truck or another. Better want’em all pretty bad lol

      Like 1
      • Araknid78

        Yes. Back in the day, Conoco gas trucks were green

        Like 0
  5. BigDaddyBonz

    Almost like British Racing Green. Not a colour I would pick, but… if my butt was in that driver seat, I think I’d get used to it real fast. Along with a 60’s XKE and a GT40, one of the nicest looking cars ever. IMHO

    Like 3
  6. John

    Pantera looks good in just about any color…but this one.
    I think pink would be preferable but some tiger shark jaws decals on it, sure I can see that.

    Like 1
  7. Howard A Howard AMember

    The Pantera was as close to an Italian exotic as we got and had the blue oval. It was every kids fantasy car, and pictures of Panteras were right below Farrah Fawcett on our HS locker doors. I’ve seen a few, never this color, which seems to be the elephant in the room. I read, this color was not offered in ’73, the closest was a “medium green”, paint code V305, offered in ’71 and ’72 only and more of a lime green. I say a repaint of BRG and looks corny. I agree, once in the seat, it wouldn’t matter, but for $100 grand, it should be right, no?

    Like 2
    • Greg

      I’ve always felt the builders of the Pantera should’ve offered more engine choices. The 351 was fine for this car but a larger displacement could’ve been a better choice. Now you’re talking really special classic.

      Like 2
      • chrlsful

        over the time these DID come w/other motors, no (OEM)? I’m thinkin there were 3 and very limited in number.

        Like 0
  8. Johnmloghry johnmloghry

    Green being my favorite color I love this car. I remember back in around 1970 or so I saw one parked of all places at a K-mart store in east Tacoma, Washington. I guess even people with money shopped at K-mart back then. The 351-Cleaveland engine was a sought after engine back in those days. Just cough up a hundred grand. What’s that nowadays? Most everybody I know that’s not retired is pulling in more than that every year. My stepson and daughter in law both make over $100,000 annually. It’s the world we live in, but of course they would never buy a car like this, they love their Toyota.
    Oh well time marches on.

    God Bless America

    Like 4
  9. otterdogMember

    Weird place for a clock

    Like 0
  10. JoeNYWF64

    Hoping that front & center clock of all things can be pulled out easily & thrown out. lol
    Might need a larger steering wheel so one can see all of the speedo & tach?
    To ’73 vette front bumper haters – take a good look at these front & back.
    I can’t for the life of me figure why this did not get the great Ford racing mirrors, yet you could get those on Pinto & even Granada.

    Like 1
  11. SirRaoulDuke

    Remember when these were more affordable? Seems like it wasn’t that long ago. It’s not surprising the market finally figured out that these are pretty awesome.

    The color? I love it, but I am into green and blue cars.

    Like 1
  12. Michael Hullevad

    As far as I remember they were around usd10K in 1971. The price today is 100K. I found an AC Cobra big bock the same year for 2K, pretty battered and dirty and my Uncle said NO; They were cheap because of the oil crisis, but expensive to keep running.

    Like 1
  13. Greg

    Can you imagine this Pantera with a 429CJ engine under the hood. Wow, l know some modifications may have been needed and then there’s the emissions thing in the early 70’s but l believe the ball was dropped on this car from the start by not installing a bigger engine if just in limited numbers . Could you imagine what one of those would be worth today?

    Like 1
    • JoeNYWF64

      Even better yet, the Boss 429 if it would fit, or ideally, the Boss 351.

      Like 0
      • Yblocker

        The Boss 351 is a Cleveland

        Like 0
  14. chrlsful

    top pick (here) if into “a super car’.
    What’s better (no matter the color) than Italian’n our motor?
    The heck w/’investment’, make it ur own (color change, sleeper
    mods for performance improvement). This looks ‘automatic’ which
    might B ok w/me. I’d never see a track or strip in it. Just give rides to
    the ladies’n some buds.

    Like 0
  15. t-bone bob

    advertised for $99,730. Located in Danville / San Ramon, CA

    Like 0

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