Pantera

I did a search and came up with a gazillion threads but mostly just the name mentioned. Are there any owners, past or present, on board who could help me sort out the good and the bad of these cars? thanks, John

 

I am a past owner and I know there are a few present owners on this board. What do you want to know?

 

Not an owner but I love them. Here are some sites:


http://www.poca.com/home.htm
http://www.poca.com/links.htm

http://groups.msn.com/73DeTomasoPanteraGT5forsale (Very nice car that sold for a song, lots of pics and very friendly previous owner.)

 

http://panteraplace.com/

 

Hey Doug, what can you tell me about the different years, models and how the car and engine changed through these variables?

 

I assume you are looking at '71-'74 models.
Generally there is L model and Pre-L. L model has the lager single rubber bumpers front and rear to meet US crash standards. Pre-L are smaller "bumperettes". I prefer the look of the Pre-L.
Motor was always the 351 Cleveland but emissions really bogged down the L models. However, by now, almost all Panterars have been stripped of emission controls.
There are many that have been redone with later style flares. Some nice, some not so nice.
My advice, figure the look you want from stock to wild and then pursue from there. I had a GT5 flare car with a stroked and fuel injected engine.
Currently there is a pretty stock bodied car on EBAY with Weber carbs that are pretty cool.
Here is my old car
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Doug, thanks much for all the info. I love your old car, why did you sell it? Thats about what I am looking for. I have also learned that there is a dropped floor pan that was done to a fair amount of cars for taller drivers. Do you know anything about that? Its supposed to gain about 3" of headroom. If you have any other pics of your car or others, could you please send me some, thanks, [email protected]

 

Look through the POCA "scrapbook" in one of the above links provided. There are over 100 owners cars. Also, look through the link I provided for a lot more info.
I personally did not have the floor pan dropped and at just over 6', I just had enough headroom. The dropped pan is not that difficult to do.
I traded my car and a Harley for a carbed 512bb a couple of years ago.
There are more pics of my Pantera on my Yahoo album page which is in my profile.

 

Hi John,
Present owner here.
1974 L model see below
My car was my daily driver in school and I drove it from Florida to Los Angeles 3 times a year for quite a few years.
I've put over 100,000 miles on her.
I've dealt with every thing conceivable on a Pantera so let me know if you have any more questions.
PS. If you're in a bind you can carry a keg in the back, ask me how I know
Another good place for info is Pantera International: http://www.panteracars.com/
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You must have had upgraded fans, or that keg would get skunked pretty quick back there

 

Ghostrider is also a Pantera guy.

 

Doug, thanks, great shots. Amazing the similarities between the pantera and the 512 in style and size(or so it looks in the pics). How would you characterize the difference in handling, speed and driving fun?


Murph, also beautiful car. Must have been some very fun cross country trips. Did the keg go long distance??
Do you (or Doug)know any owners in N. Cal? I need some seat time....

 

Hi John,
If you are looking to catch up with an owner in your area join the DeTomaso mailing list: http://realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
Great bunch of guys that I'm sure can get you some "seat time".

The keg went cross town to a party.
Great double takes from other drivers!
The best one was on the store clerk's face when he brought out the keg and asked which pickup and I pointed to the Pantera.