Alejandro De Tomaso was bathing in the worldwide glory of his Mangusta Coupe when he was approached by Lee Iacocca on behalf of Ford Motor Company to build an Italian designed sports car for the American market after their failed effort to buy Ferrari. Sensing opportunity, Detomaso commissioned Gianpaolo Dallara to design the chassis and chose the American Tom Tjaarda at Ghia to design the coachwork. 17 months later the resultant effort car was sent out to be photographed, as it didn’t have a moniker yet, the photographer wrote “Panther” on the film canisters. The impromptu name was an instant hit and was Italianized to become the “Pantera”.
Odometer shows 5,423 miles.
VIN: THGTPS07223
It was an immediate hit when introduced in the Auto shows at Geneva and New York, it’s “space age” appearance so different from other new introductions such and the Mercedes 450SL, Buick Riviera, and Toyota Corolla. It was determined that the Pantera would be sold through Ford’s upscale Lincoln-Mercury dealerships and deliveries commenced in the fall of 1971. At an original sales price of $10,000, the Pantera cost as much as two Corvettes, but was still less costly than a Ferrari 246GTS at $12,500, or a 365GTB at $16,500, or half the price of a $20,000 Lamborghini Miura with comparable performance to all three. In the first year, 743 Panteras found a home and the second year the number grew to 2,131 cars 1973 was the beginning of the gas Crisis and runaway inflation, Panteras saw a sales reduction of 1,258 cars in 1973 and 1,112 cars in 1974.
To bring more visibility to the Pantera in these challenging times, the decision was made to offer the European GTS only package to the US market and a special run of 150 cars were produced in only three colors, 30 in Yellow Gold & Black, 59 in Dark red & Black, 60 in Silver & Black and a single car in Red and Black.
These cars are distinguished as a separate model which is indicated by “GT” in the VIN number, a passenger side clock in the dash, and the two-tone livery with white letter graphics. All cars came with body matching fender flares in the trunk giving the purchaser the option to install them. The flares looked best with upgraded 10” and 8” Campagnolo wheels and bigger tires, most owners did not elect to spend another $1,600 on top of a then $13,500 price tag.
Detomaso and Ford Motor Company parted ways in 1974 as a result of Lee Iacocca’s termination and Henry Ford II desire to rid the company of his influences. From that point until the eventual death of Detomaso, all cars were either imported as gray market cars or sold through others like Amerisport.
Detomaso Pantera GTS 7223 offered here is a time capsule like no other, it wears its original Dark Red paint (1/59 examples), original carpets, original seats, and until recently, original tires. With only 5,423 original miles, it had become a car of note for restoration shops to reference as “what they were really like when new”.
It has lived its entire life as an object to be admired and looked at, a reference point for perfection. In a series of private collections over the last 49 years, the seller acquired the car last year and set about making it road worthy and safe. While the flares were installed on this car, it never had the proper rare 10” and 8” magnesium Campagnolo wheels until now, so the very dangerous 49-year-old tires were removed and new larger tires on the correct wheels were installed. All fluids, filters, belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires, were replaced with NOS units to maintain as much originality as possible while enabling the car to be driven. The original paint was detailed and ceramic coated, while the bumpers were resprayed to match the excellence of the rest of the car.
It’s powered by a Ford 5.8L 351 Cleveland engine mated to a 5 speed ZF transaxle. Horsepower is listed at 300, while top speed was reported to be 160 mph in road tests of the period. The car includes the complete and original tool kit, the owner’s manual, and a Pantera factory parts manual.
7223 represents an opportunity to invest in an original piece of rolling artwork, an automobile always included in every list of superlative cars of our youth. As a younger version of yourself you once dreamed about it, now you have a chance to own it.
Selling at Public Auction on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Henderson Motor Series Auction will take place at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, AL. www.hendersonmotorseries.com for details!
