Vehicle Description
1972 DeTomaso Pantera For Sale - 1 Of 87 in Lime Green, 17,772
Miles, Fully Doc'd LMC is proud to offer for sale this 1972 Ford
DeTomaso Pantera The Pantera (Italian for "Panther") was a
mid-engine sports car produced by DeTomaso of Modena, Italy from
1971 to 1991. The Pantera logo included a version of Argentina's
flag with a T-shaped symbol that was the brand used by DeTomaso's
Argentinian cattle ranching ancestors. The car was designed at the
request of Ford's Lee Iacocca for the North American market to
replace the Shelby Cobra at specially selected Lincoln/Mercury
dealerships. After the Ford agreement ended in 1974 De Tomaso
continued to build the car in ever-escalating forms of performance
and luxury. The Pantera, with outlandish looks and strong
performance were quite a sight in the Mercury showrooms back in the
early �70's. For a variety of reasons, the Pantera, while gorgeous
and capable, never quite caught on the way Ford had planned.
However, today there is a huge interest as collectors realize the
relative simplicity of the Ford V-8 engine that make the Pantera
generally more reliable and much less expensive to maintain than
their Italian cousins of similar vintage. The Pantera with the Ford
351 cu.-in. Cleveland, 5.8L in today's terms, had the factory claim
of 330 horsepower. Back in the day, DeTomaso was said to have made
only one modification: a special exhaust system that reportedly
gave an extra 10-20 horsepower that brought it up to the factory
claim. Stock dynos over the years proved the power was more like
380 HP. The Cleveland was linked to the typical period Italian
exoticar with the ZF five-speed transaxle-limited-slip
differential. The early Pantera could accelerate to 60mph in 5.5
seconds according to Car and Driver magazine and had a maximum
speed of 159mph. Power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and rack and
pinion steering were standard equipment helping to control the
sports car with a 42/58 weight distribution. The other handling
assistance came from the unequal width tires front and back not to
mention how awesome those wide tires on the back were for the
visual stance of the Pantera. The interior design was in the
European �grand touring' tradition and featured body-hugging
sports-car buckets. This 1972 Ford DeTomaso Pantera was produced
May 1971 in Vignale Italy and is magnificent in the very bold
factory Lime Green; one of only 87 ever finished in this factory
color. Today, this beautiful Pantera sits proudly having been
pampered by previous owners as evidenced by the condition inside
and out, having covered only 17,772 miles from new. The distinctive
front end design of these early Pantera's is very sleek with small
chrome outside Bumperettes that have been joined by a thin chrome
bar across the center - very different looking than the black
molded impact required bumpers on cars that followed this model
year. All the chrome and stainless are in great condition. Under
the back hatch style hood sits the big blue Ford 351 Cleveland with
the factory exhaust header that propels this Italian sports car.
The race-inspired road hugging suspension, the rear/mid-engine and
rear wheel drive provides the driver with great handling. Power is
directed by the gated fully synchronized ZF 5-Speed Manual
Transmission to the distinctive factory Campagnolo alloy cast
wheels that are mounted on the BW Goodyear Eagle Tires. The Black
interior is in very good condition with comfortable hugging Bucket
Seats/Headrests within a roomy two-seater compartment. Interior is
certainly a cockpit design that features full instrumentation
including Power Windows. The bright chrome accents a well laid out
Black Dash with gauges that are nicely angled for driver
convenience. The �Cleveland sound' comes from the four chrome
exhaust pipes out the back. These Pantera's also have a
surprisingly large amount of storage in both the front compartment
and under the rear hatch style hood. This car comes complete with;
Full Marti Report, odometer disclosure statement, and a copy of old
"actual mile" title from Pennsylvania. Today the Pantera is
certainly generating excitement amongst a wide cross section of car
collectors. The reason is simple, this 1972 Green Pantera delivers
the qualities of both an Italian Sports Car design and the 351
Cleveland American Muscle, generating the road handling excitement.
Additional Details: 1972 DE TOMASO PANTERA -
