De Tomaso Pantera

Paul, Things have changed a lot in 20 yrs. Unfortunately there will always be the odd weird part that will cost tooooo muuuuch. (last year a Mangusta owner had an accident and badly damaged an original alloy wheel. The insurance allowed purchase at what ever cost; well one came-up on evilBay. Now a original wheel is selling anywhere north of 2K. (Note only 400 cars were built) but on average DeT are affordable, modifyable, fun and brutal. If you want cheap get a boxter or a 5.0.

Denis

 

DenisC, Every time I see a nice Pantera, I want one, and I'm glad to hear that things have changed for the better over the last two decades. Last one I saw up close was Elvis Presley's at the Petersen Museum in West Hollywood.

 

The Pantera was a 'resto rod' before anyone knew the term. They were still in showrooms while specialty shops formed to improve/quicken/cool and mod the cars. Some tasteful and helpful, some not. A zillion fire-breathing horsepower and chrome everything didn't help the car's image or market value.

Times have changed.

Technology and sane approaches have helped these cars fluorish for the exotic car fan who wants performance and driveability. Cool that you can get plenty of parts at NAPA, but of course, many you can't... and you'll pay accordingly. Same with most any relatively rare Italian car from 30 years ago.

My car has adjustable suspension, electronic ignition, better cooling, better ac, a high-tech blade fuse box and modern rubber on original alloys. 90% of this you cannot see. Looks stock and vintage, acts modern. This is 'accepted' in Pantera circles.

My belief is that 'stock' appearance and reasonable upgrades are rewarded in the market, whereas the high-school hot rodder's Pantera is not. The cars are beautiful, raw, and a crazy experiment that'll likely not be seen again.

To me, it's a low dollar Ford GT for the street. The thing starts, stops, has power windows, AC, sounds awesome, looks better, even has acceptable luggage space and tons of aftermarket parts and support. Plus, they're bargains. What's not to like about that?

 

Well said Adams.

I love my Pantera but would someday love to have a Ford GT.

I once heard someone say he doubted he could ever buy a Ford GT because of the poor luggage space. I guess Ford forgot luggage space in the original GT-40. I also do not think anyone ever bought a Pantera or any-mid engine because of usable luggage space.

But this same individual owns a Viper GT. I guess he bought it for the luggage space.

 

I was out in mine last week and needed a few things from the store.

I ended up with the weeks groceries, two weeks of meat, three cases of beer, a folding camping table and a telescopic 9' tent pole.

Everything fitted into the back luggage area of the Pantera.

Totally practicle car, unlike the Testarossa!!

 

We use to throw a couple boxes of clay pigeons, shotgun shells, hand traps, and water in the back of the Pantera and go shooting. It could hold quite a bit.

 

See??? I'm not the only fool in the world who would like a cool looking car that actually holds something other than people with preferably empty bladders and exactly one key!

I've gone to Home Depot in mine and shocked the parking lot crowd when I put in a bag of sand (which helped the handling... NOT) two bags of pick-up items, and let two 6 foot trim moldings hang carefully out the window. Made me smile.

Utility is little-used trait in the exotic realm. The Pantera welcomes usage.

 

How many mid engine exotics do you see pull into a golf course and pull out a full set of clubs, from the back!

 

I have to tell my brother this; he'll love it!