Google "Space City Pantera Club", Hans, I think that's it.......
I have owned my 72 pre-L Pantera since early 1973. Was my daily driver .. put over 100,000 miles on it. After sorting out the bad stuff (cooling, a/c, rust potential, etc.) it settled into a sweet ride. A bit cramped for a 6' 2" , 180# guy but a fun car that you could fix youself with a trip to Pep Boys or Kragens. It was regarded as a half breed by Ferrari owners (I had a 246 GT then too) but I liked the Detroit Iron sound. When I left the car-craze for running and triathlon I parked the Pantera (and sold the 246 for much too low a price) and it is still parked 10+ years later. I'm still doing the athletics but I've managed to justify bringing cars back into the mix (I have a 328 GTS). Now I'm thinking that I'll find a shop where I can bring the Pantera and have someone bring it back to life. What is interesting is that parts are both readily available and not that expensive (by F-Car standards). This is amazing considering that they only made about 5000 of them. The Pantera still floats in my mind as a fun ride .. and that lumpy Detriot Iron sound can't be matched. Think I'll go into the garage, take off the cover and sit in it.
I owned a chrome bumper (pre-L) 72. At 6' even, I was just the right size, about 2" of headroom. IMHO, the Pantera is not a good commute car, in stop-and-go traffic the clutch is way too heavy for an extended length of time, and the heat factor on a 90+ deg freeway (despite cooling system mods and a/c) was closer to a sauna than a comfortable interior. Remember that the engine pulleys and water pump actually extend into the cabin, the engine is that close. Now for open roads, it's great! Breathtaking acceleration back then - especially after mild modding, such as Holley 4160, hotter cams, and headers - heavy cornering, I'd like to see how it handles with today's suspension and tire technology. Attention-getting design, I had women coming up to me at stoplights and asking for a ride (does this sort of thing still happen today? - I'm getting too old) Like many cars, darker colors looked good, I repainted mine a dark metallic grey. And maintenance wasn't too bad, but if you had to break the heavy Cleveland heads off while standing on the ZF and stretched out over the big V8, if you didn't start out with a bad back, you ended up with one. The fact that it shared many parts with other Ford products was a Godsend, such as the time I had a front wheel bearing burn out in ShowLow, AZ. Believe it or not, standard Ford part, mechanic went from "What kind of car is this" to "The bearing is on it's way from the Ford dealership".
Thanks for your comments! While you're at it, could you please compare legroom and headroom between the 328 and the Pantera? I consider the 328 the absolute minimum in interior room for my 6'4" and 210 lbs. And that is with the top NOT stored behind the seats. How does this compare to the Pantera? If it is more cramped than that, then I can forget about the whole thing here and now.... (unless there's a lot of room to be gained by changing to a skinnier seat) Thanks! Hans
Sounds a bit like my Dino. The clutch of that is quite heavy too, and I drive with the windows open even in winter. And yet, it's the best commuting I've ever done (Yesterday while driving home the 60 miles in my GT4, I ended up in a 10 mile traffic jam that took me over 45 minutes of clutch in-clutch out stop and go, and I loved every minute of it) I guess I should simply find a Pantera that is for sale and drive it, just to find out.... Hans
Interesting... http://www.bodinecc.com/Detomaso%20pantera.html V8 from previous model BMW M5 in a Pantera. Saves 100 kg (212 lbs), and sounds GOOD!
I don't have a problem fitting into either car, but my 328 and Pantera seemed about the same. If I had to vote for one as 'more roomy' it'd be the Pantera. The fortunate thing about these cars is the hot-rodder-modder mentality (also the worst thing if you see one that's gone too far) and as such, MANY upgrades exist for this element... seat lowering kits, better seats, steering wheel extensions, drop kits, firewall reduction kits, you name it. Likewise, the mods for the cars are dizzying. Not one area has been overlooked in the after market. Mine is basically stock (looks wise) but I added: 10" GTS wheels in the rear. Moved my former 8" rears to the front. Bought Pat Mical's headers (www.patsauto.com) WOW to the power and the subdued sound. I hate loud, these are fantastic. Pat Mical's adjustable suspension. Had it powdercoated. Car handles WAY better, no plowing, unreal change. Stealth electronic ignition, rotary AC, couple other minor mods. Air is freezing cold, Better radiator fans, water pump, and thermostat. (A whopping $400 for this, and it works fantastic.) That's about it. You can spend a little or a lot. My interior is indeed the original vinyl, big deal. Ebay will sell you any number of leather sport seats or a popular upgrade are C4 Corvette seats that fit right in. My seats are not as comfortable as my Boxer, nor is the finish work, but all else is par or in some ways superior. Luggage space is WAY better in a Pantera. Car is a blast, for not much money. Last word: DO NOT buy a bad one as a project. You'll hate life. Just pay up for a good one and have fun.
panteras at automezzi this year - just to show some variations, enjoy Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
they are nice car check for rust and see how the gearbox worcks i am looking for one myself in europe, i already own an exotic, but i really think the pantera has much to offer from a cost-performance-mods point of view add the good looking shape and it is hard to beat it!
hey emilio....was lurking and saw Pantera...and had to check it out. I JUST purchased a '72 pre L and it is due to arrive at my house TODAY!!! I am like a kid waiting for Christmas....I LOVE the styling on the Pantera and the Mangusta - two of the best EVER. I will report back EVERYTHING I learn in a hurry! Mine is red/black, ORIGINAL paint! - although flawed, it shows EVERYTHING before I paint it (rust? ). ...since modding these babies is the norm, I have in the back of my mind a flat or matte black Pantera in my mind......anyone with me on this? Or I may just throw some gorgeous RED on there! I like red!
i have begun looking for a panther as well. i think you should shoot some perfect red back on the brute!
have you seen any flat or matte black exotics? They look pretty awesome! I think the Pantera is a perfect shape and candidate for a special finish, but I am still thinking of original red too. Thanks for the feedback! just spoke with the transport company - supposedly the driver is 30 minutes away...he was MOSTLY concerned with Payment of course
At your height/weight I think you'll have some Pantera fit issues .. better try one on. With no removable top like the 328 GTS you'll be against the roof and there is not any seat back rake adjustment in stock form. I've heard of tall people modding the floor pan to get a few inches more headroom .. but that is not an EZ fix.
For whatever it's worth, here's my Pantera in extremely rare dark green (original paint by the way.) Check the engine shot for something a person can get REALLY familiar with. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I love mine. This one came over on the first shipment to US, and was a demonstrator car along a couple others that went on a transporter from dealership to dealership. It's a 1971, Ford still owned it & had it in Mi late 1972. I'm the second owner, it's got 6300 original miles. The original owner took it apart in 1975 to blueprint & hot rod it, and never got back to it. He put it in a sea going container in Ca & it sat until I bought it in 2002. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
first of all ahudson AND Joey (earlycat) - your pantera's look amazing..that is the 'after' and mine is the 'before' overall I am very pleased with my acquisition...I broke all car buying sins and bought it sight unseen, but was 'acquainted' with the former owner AND "I know where he lives!!!"... the car is super straight and drives phenomenal. It is hot in Carson City, NV and the AC is not functioning, so a sauna I rec'd. My impressions...very kooky car, but so are Countach's. It is purely a matter of getting used to it and I will be driving it like lemans! It needs a complete cosmetic re-do, and came with lots of NOS parts, so the restoration will commence whenever I feel like sinking untold loads of money into another car project I LOVE IT!! The styling is just awesome - they really have a great look! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
right off and VERY noticeable is the 225/50 series tires up front need to be changed out to a higher profile. I am sure a little compromise would be in order of handling, BUT the gap/space in the front wheel wells looks pretty bad, rear's are perfect! 295/50's back there. anyone know exactly what size tires fit the 7" front rims and fill the wells better? All part of the changes I will be making..... Ahudson - I do see you have the 10" rims in the rear and probably 8's in the front? I LOVE that look, but priced 10" Campy rims = no thanks! perhaps later....
Man, just drive that car and get to know it. You can go to http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve to see the DeTomaso forum, do a search on tires and get ready to spend the night. There are very few performance 15's out there, but I've got Toyo Proxes on mine and they're terrific. Yes, I added the 10s (still have the original wheels AND tires) and actually bought two sets, sold one. Yes, they're pricey, but NOT compared to F cars or your Lambo. By the way, your local fire marshall is obviously aware you have Italian cars! "Yes, Leon, let's put a fire hydrant 1.5 steps from this man's garage!" Let us know how your car compares to your other machinery. If you need any sources or info, let me know. Check the websites and you'll be amazed at the depth of info available. Fun, fun cars. Congratulations.
I have a Pantera and a GOOSE. Owned a 348tb in the past. They're all different. Panteras are what ever you want them to be. Problem is finding one done the way YOU want it. Mods don't hurt their value. In fact some mods are considered manditory, esp cooling upgrades. From there, only your imagination can hold you back ($ too ). But, most mods are reasonable when compared to other exotics. As to the height issue, the floorboards can be dropped and depending on your build-6'4" should work. Have fun finding the right one!
thanks for all the positive comments. I drove the Pantera to Larry Stock's (of Pantera Parts Connection/Reno,NV). I would say Larry knows a little something about these cars. I am a little intimidated by the amount of work and money required to get this car up to standards I am used to and I am absolutely useless with and have no tools. Anyone want a Pantera project? I may just flip it right away - not to make a dime, but to save a fortune
The situation with my CT is that EVERYTHING is freaking PERFECT on it. It underwent one of those over the top restorations a few years ago and I am just preserving it now. So I have no repair bills with the Lambo.
