De Tomaso Pantera

Check down in Other Italian Section I think there's extensive discussion there on it..

 

Completely different cars. The Pantera is brutal - goes straight fast and loud and will get you into trouble, (read: into your neightbor's swimming pool), if you get too agressive on the turns. Look out for structural rust where the rear suspension connects to the frame. I restored a '73 Pantera years ago, it was a blast to drive. Basically, an american hot rod in an italian suit.

 

Nice new one on ebay now. I believe they want 119k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lamborghini-Pantera-This-may-just-be-the-lowest-mileage-Pantera-on-the-plan_W0QQitemZ160249778784QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160249778784&

 

Is that even considered an Italian car?????? If so Why? I had one beat out my 308 in a car show (Best italian in show).... and the announcer questioned it...but nobody knew... LOL

 

I have recently owned both a Pantera and a 328 at the same. Someone else gave me a great comparison: "The Ferrari is a ballerina, and the Pantera is a hooker." -Steve

 

They are different animals. See www.panteraguy.com for my Pantera. The Ferrari is a prize fighter, the Pantera is a street fighter. Both do a good job. I have driven Ferrari and the Pantera, both are fast but in different ways. Oh, yes, the Pantera can handle if driven correctly. Rust is no worse than the Ferrari, provided it is cared for. Mine was stripped for painting and there was no rust after 36 years. I like bothe cars, I also have an NSX which is a delight, again, in it's own way.

 

I owned a 1973 for about 12 years and loved it! Sadly, it went with my fisrt divorce.
All the above pretty well nails it,,, fun, good looking and fast!
Learn how to drive it, otherwise it just understeers on tight corners.
The Ford 351 Cleveland engine is about bullet proof, and if you bust it, relitively inexpensive to repair. The ZF tranny is another matter. Be sure the syncros are in good condition. Pantera specific parts can be expensive, but not too hard to find.
John

 

Hans,

Find one and go drive it.

Apart from what others have said, inspect the wiring closely. Too many have burnt due to shorts. If the Pantera doesn't fit your frame, buy a Deauville I had one with a Pantera GTS engine, and it was a blast (but did 40ltrs/100km when driven hard)

 

Almost everything about it is italian... except the engine and gearbox.

 

Well for me thats the heart and soul of the car..... its a mutt then

 

Good car Hans, but keep in mind the fuel cost in Europe. These things pass everything except gas stations.

 

touché... but with an italian accent

 

Correct. Kinda like Lotus using Toyota engines and Porsche using VW engines.

 

At the same time I would certainly not say no to an Iso Grifo or a Bizzarini 5300. Detroit lump or not, still great cars. Better still, Mangusta is tops.

 

Couldn't quote a figure Hans, but a 5 litre back then has to be down around the 10mpg. My mate has a Jensen Interceptor and some of them get down to 5-6mpg with the foot down.

But hey who cares they sound good.

 

Hans, another benefit to owning a Pantera is that you can have fun with it and modify it to make it your own and not be governed by rules that frown on you if you change the color of a screw. There is such diversity and so many flavors that you can find one that has been either modernized, retro look, or original. You are guaranteed lots of attention. Like some others have stated, the biggest thing when buying one is to watch out for rust!

 

I wanna a Pantera!

 

I had a 74 for 15years. Went to a Viper Coupe, 930 TR then F355. The Pantera is a hot rod. Lousy interior. excellent driving visibilty. Stock the car is not very good. Noisy, bad AC, ok handling, and as fast as you want to make it. I spent $40,000 modifing mine and then it was a good car but wish I would have gotten ride of it earlier and gotten one of the cars mentioned before.

 

Body and chassis are indeed Italian, interesting insights in this thread, most of the runners I have seen (huge club here in Houston) have been highly sorted for track/race use, as a 308GTB would require as well I'd add.

Leave you with JRV's take on them: "An Italian coachbuilt car with a Ford engine, the WORST of BOTH worlds!" ROTFLMAO!

Actually, as noted above I'd rather scatter a domestic motor rather than one of my cars.....

 

Hans, just go get yourself a nice Mini.