Pantera Appreciation thread

I am researching the real genuine Pantera GT/4 Gruppe 4 car that Patrick Hals owns in Europe now, multi-colored, kind of Andy Warhol paint scheme now. But back a few years ago it was bought out of a classified ad in San Diego by Bill Hohenhorst and a partner.
My question is, between '70-72 I was down at Bill STroppes in Signal Hill (Long Beach) visiting and I saw a Pantera GT/4 there. Of course Ford was only importing the US legal Panteras (which were prepped in Long Beach) Who did that car belong to or was it the same one Hohenhorst found? Thanks for clues. I am surprised Ford let any non conforming car through...

 

http://youtu.be/bp-54Q-HtWM

From Fast Lane Car

 

Bill Honhorst and Allan Foster bought the group IV car from a guy in Fallbrook, CA about 10 years ago. They saw it in an ad in the paper and traded it for a very stock white 74 Pantera they owned at the time. The car came back to Allan's garage in San Diego and was partially restored and readied for the track. Bill drove and Allan wrenched on the car. It appeared at several POCA events and was at Monterey at the Concours Italiano the year DeTomaso was featured. Eventually, they sold the car and it went back east. From there, I believe Patrick bought it.

Not sure your question about how Ford allowed it into the County. It was a used-up race car and was shipped to the US. Far as I know, Patrick still owns it. Go to his site and email him as he knows the entire history of the car.

I saw the car several times having been at Allan's garage the day the debuted it to the San Diego Pantera club.

 

Just a basics video. Nothing new, figure 2.5 out of 5 on the worthwhile scale:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd2Unce43wI&list=UUQMELFlXQL38KPm8kM-4Adg]1971 De Tomaso Pantera - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube[/ame]

 

Very worthwhile for those with not much knowledge of these cars. It's a good thing when Leno is a fan.

 

I think anyone interested in owning a Pantera will benefit from watching the last video. Even Jay had a few misconceptions about the Pantera and the faults inherent in some early cars — most of which were corrected via Ford warranty service in the day. There is so much misinformation and uninformed opinion about the Pantera especially compared with many other cars. I've owned and driven my early '71 for almost 12 years and it has proven to be extremely reliable, easy and affordable to maintain. Not to mention a great car to actually DRIVE. The "expert" who Jay interviews (Mike Drew) is ACTUALLY one of THE experts on the Pantera. He's also extremely generous with his time and expertise, helping out current and prospective owners alike.

Mark

 

+1 Mark. In a recent 'simplification' process that my wife and I've embarked upon to reduce the number of homes, cars, obligations and just 'stuff' in our lives, I took a hard look at the things that make our cars enjoyable.

I must say that 'useability' and 'approachability' became very important. After trimming 5 cars, the Pantera stayed (along with a couple others). Its virtues of style, RELIABILITY (owned it for 8 years, has been near bullet proof), stress-free ease of maintenance and a world of enthusiastic 'roll up their sleeves to help you' type owners make Panteras an easy choice.

The poison spread about the Pantera has LONG been neutralized among owners and a crafty aftermarket.

With Ferrari you "put up with" slow windows, goofy AC, mysterious electrical gremlins, balky 2nd gears and I totally get that. (Still have one.) With Panteras, somebody somewhere has engineered a workable SOLUTION for those things and more.

Though my car 'appears' stock, it doesn't overheat, it stops like a modern car, cools like Detroit's finest, and is easy to live with. Plus, kids, adults, women, and the occasional law enforcement officer just wants to get a closer look. Glad to oblige.

 

I totally agree with Mark and AH.

I have had my car for 23 years with NO troubles from it and it is DEFINITELY the best bang for the buck of any classic car out there today.

Jim Oddie

 

I'm sure Napolis will make that point on his new show . . .

 

How are Panteras to drive ?

I'm a bit concerned that it will b a let down after the Ford GT

 

My Pantera (not quite stock, or as Paul used to say. . it has "some stuff") is the best car I've ever driven . . .if there is something better, I'd love to try it!

 

One of the cars I got rid of was a Ford GT. Great car that of course benefitted from 35 years of technology, so difficult to compare.

I wouldn't call it a letdown, but a very raw and 'primitive' approach to the same theme.

 

For those unaware of the Popular Mechanics "Million Dollar Car Test , here is the link to the article.

Popular Mechanics Million Dollar Car Test

 

At least with my Pantera if someone parks next to me I can still open the door and get in...

In all seriousness the Pantera will be a much more raw experience from the more modern Ford GT. They really are fantastic cars and it is awesome that they are finally getting some decent recognition.

 

Alan, I just posted something very similar in the F355 section. Nice post.

 

I agree with all the comments on the Pantera. One of the reasons for it's current popularity is the disappointment of user friendly new cars that want to think and drive themselves. The Pantera is raw and the diver actually stays engaged. Don't take this for granted anymore.

 

I loved the video and M Drew is an expert without any doubt. They got the right guy for the job!

While no Detomaso video is going to be perfect, this one was excellent and thorough. It will take a while for the "American made", "Built by Ford", overheating and rust myths to die but we are getting there slowly but surely.

At least there was no mention of a "Mr. Pantera" or a car being "made by Pantera"!!

LS

 

Scuderiawithstickplease, thanks for posting those two videos. The Ring Brothers Pantera has grown on me a little. It did sound great though.

 

Here is my 1985 GT5-S.
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Any time!

 

That is NOT a Pantera.

 

I could not agree more!!!

 

I agree with you. They took a lot more liberties with that car than I think they should have or I would have done. But then again it is not my car. In the video he stated that the car was not a good candidate for a restoration. I did like the way it sounded though. It also seemed to go very well. I have been around these cars for around 25 years. I have gotten an eye full on more than one occasion. Even if it is not a Pantera in the true sense of the word anymore, it still brings attention to the mark with its presence at SEMA and also making it into some car publications. Design aside, the quality of their work looked great.

 

Prices continue to rise steadily. On one of the Auburn auctions last weekend, the auctioneer had some pretty neat comments about Panteras. He said this was a "wake up and smell the market car", and "better than investing in mutual funds".
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1990 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S for sale | Hemmings Motor News



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