Modified Pantera ready for shows, casual driving, & racing! I have owned this car for nearly 30 years. This is a 1971 DeTomaso Pantera, #2245. Originally a Nevada car, it was sold at Hot August Nights auction then new owner had it in Oregon for a year before I purchased it in 1999 and kept it in Northern California & now Tennessee. The car went through its only "resto-mod" in 2000-2002 where all rocker panels were replaced (all three pieces) plus frame stiffening as well as roof reinforcing. I always thought the design was beautiful as it was and wanted to show off more of the lines of the car. Some of the most notable body changes include removing the side marker lights, lowered seat pans, extended wheel wells, raised license plate recess, removal of exhaust exists, filling of front bumper indentations, front hood air vents, sunken battery box, full body stiffening kit, flush mount windshield, reinforced firewall, and pearl/metallic yellow three stage paint to show off the lines of the body.
This car participated in several notable events. Four Silver State Open Road Race events, four POCA Fun Rallies, and the Speed TV 2007 show Bullrun. Even with all the events and taxing I put the car through it has never let me down in reliability, performance and enjoyment!
This car is heavily modified from stock; I will try to note the most important changes that have been made over stock for mechanical work. Wilwood upgraded braking system all the way around. Aluminum upper and lower control arms with new bushings. Fluidyne radiator (lean mount) with two electric fans, remote bypass thermostat and aluminum overflow coolant tank. Dual fuel cells at 12 gallon each mounted on each side of the motor for even weight distribution. Full chassis stiffening lower and upper, front and back.
The Ford Cleveland is a legendary motor, this Pantera sports the original 351C block that came with car, but punched 40 over with stroke and bore now comes to 408 cid, approximately 500hp. The engine was originally built by Al Liest (Northern California fame). The engine has vintage A3 heads and A351 matching single plane manifold. Aftermarket custom pistons, camshaft, crank & rods. Currently has heavy duty timing chain and crank fired ignition from Electromotive (waste fire cycle) with remote mounted ignition coils. On top we have a QuickFuel custom carb with spacer and heavy-duty mechanical fuel pump. Headers and exhaust are custom made.
I purchased the car in 1998 from Ron Jensen of Bend, OR. He had purchased the car that same year at Hot August Nights from Albert Briggs of Carson City, NV. Upon finding the car after looking at several examples we flew to Bend, OR on a one-way ticket. The car was a survivor that had over 100,000 miles on it and was in desperate need of restoration. Despite the state of the car, we drove the car from Bend, OR to Santa Cruz, CA without any issues and lots of great gas station conversations from admirers of the Pantera.
This car has been featured in POCA Profiles magazine, Pantera of Northern California club magazine, and Dave Adler "Extreme Pantera" picture book.
This Pantera can be whatever you want it to be. Take to the racetrack and enjoy or convert it to luxury touring car with all the amenities and modern motor. I believe it's a great car to enjoy as it is or start on your own adventure with this Pantera!
