Vehicle Description
Worldwide Vintage Autos is pleased to present this 1974 De Tomaso
Pantera.
HISTORY
The car was designed by the Italian design firm Ghia by
American-born designer Tom Tjaarda and replaced the De Tomaso
Mangusta. Unlike the Mangusta, which employed a steel backbone
chassis, the Pantera was a steel unibody design, the first instance
of De Tomaso using this construction technique. The Pantera logo
included a version of Argentina's flag turned on its side with a
T-shaped symbol that was the brand used by De Tomaso's Argentinian
cattle ranching ancestors.
The logo has the colors of the Argentine flag not because of De
Tomaso's ancestors but because the company's founder, Alejandro De
Tomaso, was born and raised in Argentina. He emigrated in his 20s
to Italy in order to avoid political persecution from Juan Domingo
Per�n, president of Argentina in those days.
The car debuted in Modena in March 1970 and was presented at the
1970 New York Motor Show a few weeks later. Approximately a year
later the first production Panteras were sold, and production was
increased to three per day.
The slat-backed seats which had attracted comment at the New York
Show were replaced by more conventional body-hugging sports-car
seats in the production cars: leg-room was generous but the pedals
were off-set and headroom was insufficient for drivers above
approximately 6 ft. (ca. 183 cm) tall. Reflecting its makers'
transatlantic ambitions, the Pantera came with an abundance of
standard features which appeared exotic in Europe, such as electric
windows, air conditioning and even "doors that buzz when ... open".
By the time the Pantera reached production, the interior was in
most respects well sorted, although resting an arm on the central
console could lead to inadvertently activating the poorly located
cigarette lighter.
The first 1971 Panteras were powered by a Ford 351 cu in (5.8 L) V8
engine producing a 330 hp (246 kW; 335 PS). The high torque
provided by the Ford engine reduced the need for excessive gear
changing at low speeds: this made the car much less demanding to
drive in urban conditions than many of the locally built competitor
products.
The ZF transaxle used in the Mangusta was also used for the
Pantera: a passenger in an early Pantera recorded that the
mechanical noises emanating from the transaxle were more intrusive
than the well restrained engine noise. Another Italian car that
shares the ZF transaxle is the Maserati Bora, also launched in 1971
although not yet available for sale. Power-assisted four-wheel disc
brakes and rack and pinion steering were all standard equipment on
the Pantera. The 1971 Pantera could accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h)
in 5.5 seconds according to Car and Driver.
In the summer of 1971, a visitor to the De Tomaso plant at Modena
identified two different types of Pantera awaiting shipment, being
respectively the European and American versions. From outside, the
principal differences were the larger tail lamps on the cars
destined for America, along with addition of corner marker lamps.
The visitor was impressed by the large number of cars awaiting
shipment; in reality, spending the best part of a year under dust
covers in a series of large hangars probably did nothing for the
cash-flow of the business or the condition of some of the cars by
the time they crossed the Atlantic. The last one was delivered to a
customer in 1992. SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA
SPECIFICS / BUILD INFORMATION
EXTERIOR
-Vintage and sought after Pantera stance.
-Beautiful Pantera L Orange color.
-All original & period correct lights, badging and trim.
-Pantera L wheels with solid tires.
-95% original paint with some recent professional touch up to minor
scratches and dent.
-This Pantera has been adult owned, driven and maintained it's
entire life.
-Housed in a tempature controlled garage with a cover for over 32
years.
INTERIOR
-All orginal interior with black leather throughout.
-All gauges orignal and in working condition.
-Properly maintained interior including the dash, headliner and
seats.
MECHANICAL
-Classic and original Pantera L 351 Cleveland V8 engine.
-Four speed manual transmission with a solid transaxle.
-Recently replaced Master Clutch, brake work and filler neck
tube.
-Handles like a well maintained Pantera L should!
DISCLOSURE
-There are a few chips / imperfections in the paint and body. (See
detailed pictures)
-Seat has a tear. (See detailed picture)
For more details on any disclosure items please contact a sales
agent today at 1-877-422-2940.
The cost of parts and restoration of these vehicles are increasing
daily. They are not making any more and, therefore, they are
becoming more rare by the day. Buy one complete and ensure your
investment for the future. An excellent investment and something
you can enjoy daily. Collectible vintage vehicles have historically
appreciated at a rate greater than that stock market, gold and
other arts and collectibles as documented by many articles and
auction result tracking.
NEED MORE DETAILED INFORMATION? CALL US AND WE WILL HELP ANY WAY
