Vehicle Description
1971 DeTomaso Pantera
The DeTomaso Pantera is by any measure an exotic, a sleek wedge of
pure sex that surely confused the hell out of customers who saw it
alongside the Comets and Cougars and Continentals in
Lincoln-Mercury showrooms. Yet it doesn't get nearly the same love
as the Ferraris and Lamborghinis and other Italian supercars of the
early 1970s. That's a shame, because the Pantera is far more
affordable than anything else that rolled out of Maranello or
Sant'Agata Bolognese.
For consignment, a piece of sex in wedge presentation. 2 owners in
its history and a Cleveland V8 slightly modded for better
performance, sleek Italian inspired interior design, and Pearl
White looking as pure as the newly driven snow. Stop by and take a
slice of this wedge very soon, because these tend to go out the
door, fast!
Exterior
Pearl white covers all the diamond cut panels on this low sports
car. All panels are straight and thin chrome with grille insert
bumper leads the way. Some sanding scratches can be noted when
viewing the paint close up. Hidden headlights, sexy low profile
panels with nicely shined window trimmings abound and show in a
geometric configuration on either side. As we move rearward matte
black mirrors hang from the doors and on the drivers side a gas
filler cap is camouflaged into a ribbed panel in black. Badging is
nice as well as a cloisonne Ghia badge to pay homage to the
designer. On the rockers to leave no doubt as to what car you are
in the P A N T E R A in white knockout letters within a black
field. A sleek rear trunk lid actually opens up to a larger than
you think due to the mid engine setup. The trunk is perfect with a
wool felt liner, and the engine slipped in between the trunk and
buckets. 17-Inch Billet Specialties wheels shined to the nines are
wrapped by black wall sticky bands.
Interior
Sporty comfortable utilitarian with a hint of extra would best
describe the all black interior. Dual black vinyl buckets flank a
center console with a shifter in a chromed gated style shifter
bezel. As the center continues upward and at a rakish angle, a
black textured leatherette covered panel houses various toggles and
a cluster of 4 vertical oriented gauges all aimed toward the
driver. A vertically mounted radio and temp and fan sliders above
this are to the right of the toggles and gauges. A simple
instrument cluster with a circular tachometer, and speedometer,
mounted within square deep set molded dash bezels are fronted by
the original steering wheel. Nice black clean carpet floods the
floors and is covered by carpet floor mats. Talk about slipping
into something sexy...
Drivetrain
A correct professionally built 351ci Cleveland V8. The orientation
is the engine in the center of this car with the transmission on
back to drive the rear wheels. This setup accomplishes perfect
center weight distribution and improves handling and drive-ability
exponentially. Inside is now a Comp Cam (.566i, .566e Lift, 215i,
215e duration). On top is a 4-barrel carburetor, and a larger
"straw" if you will with a Quickfuel 650CFM carburetor. Backing
this up is a ZF 5-speed manual transmission, which has been totally
rebuilt and drives rebuilt half shafts. All this sits within a
freshly painted black gloss engine bay. Up front under the second
storage area, complete with master cylinder and radiator and even
some extra space for storage...Oh God! baby!!
Undercarriage
Plenty of rustproofing and invasive rust as noted on the front
cross member and on drivers side and a repair on the passenger's
side. The engine support gussets show some bondo repair, with more
black paint to cover it. Overall heavy rustproofing on the frame. 4
wheel independent suspension with coil overs on all 4 corners, and
power discs to match.
Drive-Ability
Going down nearly to street level, a climb in and lit this candle
and we're off in a flash. Rail like handling, and plenty of power
we will never fully realize on our test area. It ran very smoothly
and sounded like a champ. Interior has surprisingly lots of room,
but then again it was an American car.
This is a good American version of the Italian Sports car
consignment. Wedge design, mid engine center weight balance, and
low to the ground is an understatement. Some snappy improvements to
the engine and a clean example. Arrivederci, and it will be all
over but the cryin'.
VIN DECODE
THPNLE01420
T-DeTomaso
H-Modena, Italy Assy Plant
PN-Pantera
L-1971
E-December
01420-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
