This car was shipped from Europe and the owner had a very Famous driver running this beauty for the 24 Hours of Daytona Classic this past November. The car has its fenders made out of alloy and this is another of the Sala-Marvetti cars that raced in Europe. Arturo Merzario is the pilot pictured at the wheel of the Gruppo 5 Pantera race car. The car ran beautifully and was absolutely georgeous at speed going around the upper banks at Daytona. What a sight to behold for this timeless classic racer. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I wanted to buy another Ferrari but the 99K cars turned into 400K cars. I then was looking at the Mangustas but 60K cars have turned into 350K cars. I am not here by default as I always loved the Pantera and almost bought one before the Ferrari but I always knew I would never be satisfied with anything other than a Ferrari. I already have what I consider to be one of the coolest Ferrari's, even if not appreciated by most, I am now thinking of getting a Pantera. I am looking for a very nice early car, Red/Black or Yellow/Black. If anyone has one for sale or thinking of selling or can point me in the right direction I would be appreciative. The more I think of it this car would be a nice stable mate for my GT4! I was more than surprised to se the international Pantera Club in my home town even though I never knew this before which is weird as I am the ultimate car guy! Here is an article Forza did on my GT4 for those who dont know me: Forza :: Passion Play : 308 GT4 Thanks in advance. Rob
Rob, the search for a Pantera is gonna be fun. There are very few in existence that are 'bone stock', so a hunt for original might be a way to go. MOST have been modified and that leaves a real variety of mods that will blow you away. Here is a photo from Reno a few years back...like a candy store, so many options out there in modded land. Image Unavailable, Please Login
My preference would be for an early chrome bumper model. I like the finished engine bays and body struts but would like to get as an original as possible, similar to the one in the video with jay & Mike. I am going to look at one in a museum tomorrow not for sale just to check it out the friend showing it to me said that the cars had 3 layers of steel and sometimes the middle one rusts, does this make sense? Are any of the dealers reputable you can email me offline if you want. I have enough to buy a nice one but not enough to buy a bad one, so I want to make the right decision.
Rob - some definite places to check out online regularly...and I am with you, small chrome bumpers the way to go! Clean early cars with 10" and 8" - 15" 'campy's' = WIN IMHO PIM website - the Ferrari Chat of DeTomaso world. In your 'hood' too. Sorry PITA to link on my iPhone, my eyes are bad, sorry Pro-auto exchange outside Philadelphia, Mike Haber specializes in pantera's or at least did. He's a great guy to deal with if he has any inventory. And HERE, someone has a nice one for sale, perhaps they make contact directly via post or message to you. There are some serious Detomaso gurus running in my 'hood', happy to put you in touch via PM if u wish. All the best. And if u can swing it - Mangusta! So beautiful! Photo of serious horsepower from my garage years ago. Image Unavailable, Please Login
This is exactly what I am looking for. Its sold already. Plus quite a long way from me: 1972 DeTomaso Pantera for sale | Hemmings Motor News I dont like the wheels no biggie, a few things I am really worried about rust and it looks liked they parked this car out in the salt! HA also it looks very nice in some parts but says completely restored and the suspension pieces look untouched.That said I would really like a car in this condition. Im not even a Pantera expert like you guys but after having a Ferrari for years you notice the little things, like no shift gate, wire hanging from the drivers side dash. I am looking for a car that has been truly sorted and willing to pay a correct price for the right car.
Is this the DeTomaso equivalent of Fchat? Yes this is what is freaking me out as this site is located in my home town!
Yes I saw all your Mangusta threads!! I also saw one for 100K and then last week 2 sold for 350K just like the Ferrari's I know its crazy but it has to stop somewhere. I am a poor guy ex rocker and hope I can get a good pre L Pantera before they go beyond my budget. I love the mangiest and if there was one I could afford. I have afraid that has one and have heard lots of scary stuff but to me along with the muira they are some of the most beautiful creations on earth!!!
Decided to sell my all original '73 Pantera and buy a 930 instead. Much as I loved the look of the car, I could never get comfortable in it for more than 10-15 minutes at a time (6'4") and the driving experience was unexceptional. The looks, however, are gorgeous. These cars are so much more delicate and elegant in person. Not sure why they don't photograph as well (or why people feel the need to glob on so much racer-boy bits that ruin the looks). Image Unavailable, Please Login
Maybe it's the angle? I agree with not understanding why some people think they are "improving" the cars by heavily modifying them. Mark Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ben, I wish it was the early Pre L car Id be all over it, are you going to list the info for sale. I am in the learning stages and would like to see pics. Rob
I am interested in a pre L restoration project, not rusty, just in need of most everything else. Will be restored to bone stock original. Please PM. To modify is to destroy.
That is very nice I will take one just like that in red! BTW I joined the Pantera international internet forum site. I will join POC but it looked like their forum site had 1 or 2 post to only a few topics, due you have to be a member to get in there or is it not that active. The guys at the Pantera International seem nice. Can any of you tell me if that is the Fchat of Pantera land??? did some come with black bumpers instead of chrome? I really like the cars with the no vent hoods and flat rear decks!
Ya, that's the dedicated site. Correct, not as active, seems HERE is always the place to communicate about nearly all the cool cars. Some extremely knowledgeable and cool folks there though, good you joined. LOTS of cars offered for sale there, so check it often.
I noticed the variety of Pantera bumpers at the Palo Alto Concours one year and shot many photos click on the link below and click on the photos for a larger view Why Are There So Many Styles Of Pantera Bumpers? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mike, The simple answer to the question is that over a 20+ year production run of the Pantera, changes were made. Additionally, the bumper requirements for North America were/are different than "the rest of the world" which also accounts for why some changes occurred. Essentially, all early (1971) Panteras were shipped with small chrome front and rear bumpers. The front bumpers incorporated the signal lights as an integral unit. The "first" series of bumpers had flat inside ends and the "second" series are more rounded. There were some other small sub-variants that are more likely due to various local craftsman supplying De Tomaso with parts than planned changes. Changing American crash standards necessitated the move to a larger front bumper that was mounted to shock absorbing struts. Same for the rear bumper. These were all black both ends. While some 1972 cars were so equipped, most 1973 and pretty much all 1974 cars shipped with these larger bumpers. The reason for the vagueness is that it was common at De Tomaso for cars to be pulled out of VIN sequence and finished earlier or later for a variety of reasons. Consequently it is almost impossible to establish firm change-over points by production date OR VIN. When the Pantera was no longer being imported into the US (officially anyway), the larger front US bumper was deleted in favour of a return to smaller units — but without the integral signal light housings as these had by then been incorporated into the bodywork (from around late 1972 onwards). SOME Euro cars retained the full one-piece US rear bumpers. Most were black, but I have seen chromed units that "might" have originated at the factory. Most of the "Euro" Panteras were equipped with small rear bumpers as all early cars were — however some rear bumpers were wider than others. The bumper width seems to be related to the width of the rear licence plate panel, of which there (as far as I know) are at least two sizes. I believe that only the later Euro Panteras, and the GT5 and GT5-S cars were supplied with small black (vs. chromed) front and rear bumpers. Things get further complicated by the re-introduction of US imports via Amerisport, as they developed several of their own bumper variations for the cars they brought in (mostly GT5-S models). Some of the bumpers in your collection of photos are in fact one-offs (that large full-width chrome front bumper), or are reproduction units created by the Pantera parts vendors to satisfy demand for the more (to most) aesthetically-pleasing smaller front and rear bumpers. I hope that helps to provide some clarity. Mark
Mark, always good to see you over here on the dark side! Great, insightful post. My 74 of course has the larger extended bumpers which I always liked due to their neat integration of overall design. I spoke with designer Tom Tjaarda in mid 80's and saw later quoted that the front bumper (late design) also added downforce since it is more of an spoiler that directs air at the same basic angle as the front hood. A neat solution to an otherwise ugly dilemma. To me, Tjaarda is was WAY too uncelebrated as my Pantera gets as many or more thumbs up as any car I've ever owned.
Mike S (Mang) and Pete, Thanks. I agree completely. The 10" Campy wheels "MAKE" the Pantera. The smaller 8" originally-supplied rear wheels just look silly IMO, as they sit too far inboard. Further, the original "US" ride height adds to the goofiness. Dropping the car (about an inch) to match the Euro ride height and installing the 10" wide wheels (moving the original 8" rears to replace the original 7" fronts) results in a Pantera that just looks "perfecto". Robert: The small-bumpers, ventless front hood, flat-rear deck requirements mean that you are looking for a 1971 car. Some prefer the later cars (1974) as a few production refinements were made along the way. Since most 1971 cars were factory retrofitted to address some early production issues, and have been further upgraded by dedicated owners over the years, you will not see much of a difference to the later cars except they are a slight bit slower. Good luck with your search! Adams: Nice to see you're still around. You make a very good point about that "added benefit" of the larger front bumper. I know that my cars feel very (too) light at any speeds over 120 MPH. Of course, I never drive that fast anyway, so it doesn't matter that much to me. And you are quite right about Tom. He is way less known than he should be — especially given his body of work. He is also a very quiet and modest person, unlike some other designers. Mark
They rarely come up for sale and when they do they are expensive and sell fast. I know of three sets selling in the last six months and each set sold for $3K to $4K (that set had tires) in a matter of days. The Pantera forum is the place to watch (and pounce). Mark
They are making group 4/5 wheels and also early style wheels. I don't know the quality of them though, but definitely worth looking into. I saw the wheels on Ebay ~ 5 months ago. Here is the contact # 678-637-5103. I would be interested in what you find out. Pantera - De Tomaso - Italian Cars
