To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona
event, 17 - 18 January 2019.
Estimate:
$80,000 - $100,000
- Single ownership from new until 2015
- Never restored; offered in highly original condition
- Less than 24,200 original miles
Not yet old enough to obtain a car loan, Robert Evans purchased
this 1974 De Tomaso Pantera L with the help of his uncle, Ernie
Whitaker, in March 1975 from Stillpass Bros Inc in Cincinnati,
Ohio. Over the following years, Robert paid Ernie's loan to the
bank and in 1978, Ernie officially signed over the title.
Originally ordered in yellow over black, this unrestored and highly
original Pantera L retains its eye-catching color scheme to this
day. The original window sticker notes that the De Tomaso was
originally ordered with air conditioning, magnesium sports wheels,
351-4V engine, five-speed transmission, power disc brakes, electric
windows, tinted glass, and full instrumentation. Fully optioned,
the car came to a total cost of $11,753.26, equivalent to over
$55,000 today, quite an investment for the first owner.
Once the De Tomaso was officially his, Robert lovingly cared for
his pride and joy; images accompanying the history file show the
shining yellow Pantera in perfect condition. At the time of its
sale in 2015, the Pantera L had only 22,686 miles on its odometer -
having only been used for the most special of occasions. The second
owner, Alton Cherney of South Carolina, kept the De Tomaso just
long enough to register it before selling it in November 2015 to a
dealer in Surrey, UK, when it was acquired by the current
owner.
Under its current ownership, the De Tomaso has been carefully
maintained and is beautifully preserved for its age. Ideal for
anyone who was not lucky enough to get their hands on one new in
the 1970s, it would be hard to find a Pantera as well maintained
and original as this exceptional example.To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.