De Tomaso Pantera

That particular Pantera is the Si model, of which about 40 were made, 2 crash tested, leaving 38 on the market (or something close to that). Beautiful car.

Good, that's why I bought it, so I don't have to pay ridiculous prices for parts. It puts out gobs of horsepower and torque, is easy to modify, doesn't depreciate, and one of the best exotic car buys out there.

 

This is my favorite Pantera, The GT5S

 

I love the GT5-S, but I think the Si is about the shiz-nit when it comes to Panteras. But, at least there are some GT5-S's in the US, not so lucky with the Si.

Check out this Si Targa:
http://www.detomaso.nu/meetings/2004/Austria/Bjorn/imagepages/P7030106.html

and

http://www.detomaso.nu/meetings/2004/Austria/Bjorn/imagepages/P7030113.html

 

I like the GT5-S better, a guy in the NE has an Orange Si replica, he painted Mickey Mouse on the hood !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

 

Yes, that's Pat Mical. I hear his Si conversion is top-notch, but man, that Mickey Mouse stuff is unbelievable.

 

I know Pat Mical well, the Si is brilliant, in fairness to him tho he put the mickey mouse on for his young son, I dont think its gonna be a permanent feature of the car

 

I think the pantera is one of the most masculine looking cars around... right up there with the F40 and the gto

 

I have always admired the Pantera, but the bumpers on the US models really spoil the lines of the car, is it legal in the US to change them for the european type instead.

 

I sometimes stop by his shop (its in the same town as me) and chat with him....Usually though i'm looking for his brother, Robbie....havn't seen him in a while though....dont even know if he got his truck working yet, lol
Heres a pic of the car i took w/ my cell phone cam, and another pic i found of it on the web
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BTW I asked him about the Mickey Mouse, and he just said that he's always liked Mickey Mouse or something...didnt say it was for his son or whatever...I know it was on the car before he painted it orange (when it was black), and I dont know if it was on there before his son was born or not....lol, but yeah...IMO he should have just had it be a decal or whatever so he could take it off when it got old or whatever, instead of having to respray the whole hood....but i guess it sets it further apart from the crowd, :-D He's a real great guy though...VERY friendly, very happy to talk to you and let you hang around the shop....

 

The small bumpers were available in the US--on the 1971 and 1972 models, referred to as "pre-L". There are people who have converted their L model cars to the small bumpers though. I seriously doubt it's legal, but I've never heard of anyone getting busted for it. Who is to check or know?

 

Well Pat does his own thing thats for sure, he doesnt really care whether others agree with him or not. I bought a new engine for my Pantera from him and he flew over to me in Ireland to fit it. he is incredibly knowledgeable about Panteras in particular, a brilliant engineer and a great guy to boot. did you check out the engine in that Si conversion, its a twin turbo and it puts out a ridiculous amount of power!
steve

 

yessir! 1,100 horsepower man! :-D

 

AGREED! I wouldn't change a single thing on that car, from the front bumber, to the rear spoiler, the wheels, the color...PERFECT!

 

Interesting. I saw one of these in the exhibition at the Meilenwerk, here in Berlin, and was wondering, what model it is, as the front is different from the "normal" Panteras. Do you have more information on the Si model?

 

the Si model was also known as the Nuevo Pantera in Europe and was the last version produced by the factory between 1990 and 1994, it featured many changes inc a new chassis and a less powerful 5 litre injected V8, new suspension and very large brembo brakes and 17" magnesium alloy wheels. Matt is correct when he states there were 38 cars made for sale, that is the official factory figure, however all the clubs here in europe take that figure with a pinch of salt and most think there were only perhaps 20 to 25 Si cars produced. The last one to come up for sale was in Germany last year, a yellow car which had its factory engine replaced with a 351c putting out 400bhp. I enquired about it but the cleveland put me off, it subsequently sold for €75000. Any Si ever to come up for sale now will most likely fetch much more!!
Steve

 

Thanx, very interesting.

Found this one today: http://www.mobile.de/SIDiuNcKVU34SoJNjCEGml7cg-t-vaNexlCsAsCsK%F3P%F3R~BmSB10LsearchPublicJ1092667652A1LsearchPublicD1100CCarX-t-vctpLtt~BmPA1A1B20B16l-t-vCaMk_X_Y_x_ysO~BSRA6D1100D7400A2A0A0A0A0/cgi-bin/da.pl?bereich=pkw&top=16&id=11111111138583719&

 

Shoot, I'd drive it with MiniMouse painted on the hood.

 

wow that is a sweet looking paint job on a car like that.. it really brings out the lines of the car... wish he had black or white rims though, the rims arent accenting the car much

 

here are some pics of my car, its a UK car i agree the us bumpers spoil the lines but many owners there seem to replace them with euro ones and have no problem, I have had this car for two years now and love it even my recent purchase of a bb512i hasnt dampened my enthusiasm for it. Last year I had Pat Mical fit a brand new later type windsor engine, the car is factory standard with the exception of the colour, and the engine which is 450bhp and 460ft/lb torque, its as fast as it is loud.

 

That is an extremely nice example you have there Steve, how do the running costs compare with a car on the mainland IE spare parts and such?

 

Not sure what you mean by the "mainland"! I am in Ireland and spare parts come from Emilia in Silverstone or from the US, so same as in the UK. Mechanical/ engine parts are very inexpensive but DeTomaso specific parts such as body panels are a horrendous price, I have had to buy virtually nothing for the car in two years aside from some front wishbone bushes which were £55.
steve

 

I'd agree the rear bumper spolis the look of the car but I do like the front bumper. It accentuates the lines of the car; makes it even more aggressive looking.

 

I'm also a Pantera fan...And this may be one of the ultimate examples:

http://www.pim.net/Over%20The%20Top.pdf