ANY PANTERA OWNERS

Need advise on year, what to look for ? service cost. any problems. I am looking looking at a 1971. Detomaso Pantera. with front wide spoiler and rear wing..
thanks
john

 

several on this site. Have you tried some of the Pantera specific sites?

 

we service one, i have driven it, its a nice car, the engine is cheap to repair, since its a FORD cleveland V8, try to get one with the gearbox in good shape, suppostly is and F1 derived ZF transaxle(not sure about the F1 part but the EX mechanic told me that)

nice car, behaves like a countach

niice car, enjoy it
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I owned vin #5961 years ago. 1974 model, This was the year the larger black front bumper replaced the earlier 2 piece chrome style. Spoilers and wing came much later just before production ceased. Maintenance costs no issue. It's simply a Ford. Lot's of fun in a straight line but poor cornering abilities. Able to do lot's of look and performance enhancements to this vehicle. Large Pantera club in California back in 80's, though not sure now.

 

There is guy on this site (kaamacat) and he is my neighbor. He is very knowledgeable and has a pantera.

Send him a PM or PM me with your number and I will have him contact you.

 

Go for a '74. they changed the dash so the instruments are not blocked by the steering wheel, and the over heating problems were corrected. Mine never overheated even in 95 degree summer months with the A/C going full blast. But then the Mercury dealership decided to wreck the car.

You an always remove the black rubber bumpers if you prefer the look of the older models.

 

I had a 73 several years ago. Very fun car! Deep growl that sets off car alarms as you drive by. Fast, but take some coaxing to get around a corner. Smog exempt now in CA, so lot's of hotrodding goodies available.
Get one with a good gearbox, as that's probably the most expensive repair item in the car.

 

Ohhhhh, I not currently a Pantera owner but a previous one! I love those cars..lotta bang for the buck and I should have kept my 85 GT5-S! There was nothing like rolling into what was then "Trak Auto" or NAPA and pickng up my 30K service parts for about $40.00, while my other friends whined or bragged about the $4K + it was costing them for a "30K".

Personally I like the later cars primarily due to better construction, better interior layout, A/C that actually worked..and of course thos fender flares and Delta wing. All of which can be added to the earlier cars.

Biggest thing to look for is rust, be sure to PPI the car and get under it while on a lift. Check the floors, rockers and rear bulk head where it joins the floor and and lower part of the engine bay. If there are signs of repair, make sure it looks correct, nice even welds and no bubbling.

Also checkthe axle/u-joints for wear and looseness. Trans should feel a little "notchy" but that's all..if it makes any noises going into or through the gears, then there is a problem. If it whines in the forward gears, bearings are weak. These ZF boxes tend to be bullet proof. If it has a problem then it needs a build..negotiate the price of the car.

Sounds as though someone has added bothe the wing and the spoiler. By "wide front spoiler" I assume you mean the one with the recessed fog lights and brake cooling ducts?

Service shouldn't be an issue as you can source anything for the engine at Andvanced Auto, NAPA, or the local speed shop..hmmm, in a crunch you could even find a part at Wal-Mart!! Trim items are a toss up, somethings may interchange with other cars but most will be Pantera, same with interior.
I really cant remember with the suspension and brakes but there are several specialty suppliers for both parts and service for these cars. Hall Pantera is one..can't thingk of the others off the top of my head but I know I have them written somewhere.

Hope the info helps and good luck!

Paul

 

Pantera Parts

1.Hall Pantera 562-531-2629
2.Wilkinson Pantera 562-634-3434
3.Performance Pantera 562-691-2526

It's amazing 3 Pantera parts places all in the same area code.

 

I thought of buying 1 & building it into a GT5-S which I think is the best looking. By the time I finished adding up the price of the car & the parts + labor I realized I could get a Countach for that $, so I did

The GT5S is a beauty but I wouldnt put it in the same class as a Countach
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One of my neighbors has a gorgeous maroon one which is show-car perfect. He says he spent his retirement on it! It doesn't get driven very much, though. I need to get him to take it down off the lift, get it out of the garage, and get some nice pictures of it. I've always liked Panteras, and his is an absolute beauty!
Thor
www.JavelinArt.com