1971 DeTomaso Pantera

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

When Italian Alejandro DeTomaso retired from racing, he turned to car manufacturing, and by the late 1960s he had given the world the four-cylinder Vallelunga and radical V8 Mangusta coupes — both aesthetically interesting and competent road cars. In the meantime, Ford had been seeking to acquire an exotic car company, which brought the heavyweight automaker to DeTomaso’s doorstep. Ford was very interested in the car that DeTomaso had in the works — the Pantera — and a deal was soon struck. The Pantera debuted at the New York Auto Show in 1970, along with a plan to import 10,000 to the U.S. to be sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. 

Styling came courtesy of young American Tom Tjaarda at Ghia. The crisp lines and long snout sat atop a pressed-steel unit chassis, while its 300-hp Ford 351 cubic-inch “Cleveland” V8 was situated midship and paired with a five-speed ZF transaxle. Weight distribution was predictably biased toward the rear, 150 mph was not out of the question, and the car came with amenities like air conditioning, which American buyers demanded. 

The Pantera impressed the right people, including Car & Driver magazine, which raved in August 1971 that “even novitiate automotive visionaries will recognize [the car] as a little piece of tomorrow today." 

Highlights 

• Offered from the Shortt Collection 

• Finished in Bright Yellow paint over black interior with leather bucket seats 

• Powered by a 351 cu-in mid-mounted V8 engine rated at 330 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque from factory 

• Five-speed manual transmission 

• The chassis number (THPNLY01660) decodes as: 

  • T – De Tomaso 

  • H – Modena, Italy, assembly plant 

  • PN – Pantera 

  • L – 1971 model year 

  • Y – February 

  • 01660 – Sequential production number (with corresponding De Tomaso 1660 rear badge) 

Features 

• Advertised performance: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.5 seconds, and top speed of 159 mph 

• Disc brakes all around 

• Independent suspension with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers 

• Quad exhaust 

• Three-spoke detachable NRG steering wheel 

• Air conditioning 

• Power windows  

• MSD Ignition and MSD tach adapter 

• Vertical-mounted aftermarket Sony stereo 

• 15-inch GTS wheels 

• BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires: 225/60R15 front, 295/50R15 rear 

• Large De Tomaso lettering along rocker panels 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint imperfections on front below bumper 

• Paint bubbling and light rust on latch inside driver’s rear door frame 

• Tinting on passenger window is scraped 

• Paint chips inside passenger rear door frame 

• Light surface rust on door hinges 

• Some paint imperfections on rocker panels 

• Light corrosion on underside 

  Included 

• Floor mats 

• Spare tire with cover 

• Pantera owner’s manual 

• De Tomaso tool roll 

• Tool bag 

• Fire extinguisher 

• Spare wipers and belts 

• First aid kit 

• Assorted spare parts 

Ownership History 

The Georgia seller of this 1971 De Tomaso Pantera has owned it since 2009.