1973 DeTomaso Pantera L

Description

Alejandro De Tomaso’s Pantera, the iconic Italian-American sports car, made its debut in the early 1970s, born from a desire to create a high-performance, mid-engine sports car that could compete with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. The Pantera's genesis can be traced back to a collaboration between Alejandro De Tomaso, an Argentinean entrepreneur with a passion for racing, and Ford Motor Company. De Tomaso recognized the potential of the American market and sought a partnership with Ford to provide the horsepower and US distribution for his new creation. This resulted in a unique fusion of Italian design and American muscle, as the Pantera boasted a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine and was retailed through Ford’s massive Lincoln-Mercury dealership network.

It offered a sleek, exotic appearance, with a low-slung body and pop-up headlights, while its mid-rear-engine layout ensured exceptional handling and balance. This mix of European style and American muscle resonated, quickly gaining the hearts of automotive enthusiasts offering a tantalizing blend of power, style, and affordability. The Pantera L (Luxury) was introduced in August 1972. For the US market, it featured a large black single front bumper that incorporated a built-in airfoil to reduce front-end lift at high speeds. The "L" model featured many factory upgrades and updates and was so improved that the 1973 DeTomaso Pantera was Road Test Magazine's 1973 Import car of the year.

Highlights

• Long-term ownership 1986 - 2020

• Just one of 173 US-market examples finished in Red for 1973

• Designed at Ghia Studios by Tom Tjaarda and Giampaolo Dallara

• Powered by a rear mid-engine 351 cu-in "Cleveland" Ford V8 engine

• Top track speed of approximately 145 mph and zero to 60mph in 6.3 seconds

• Fully synchronized five-speed manual transmission

• Road Test Magazine's 1973 Import car of the year

• Fitted with Boyd Coddington 17 inch Campagnolo style wheels

• Servicing in October 2021 included:

  • The rebuild of all four brake calipers with new pistons 

  • Rewire of the front cooling fan

  • Carburetor adjustment and road test

  • Chassis lube

• Servicing in July 2023 included:

  • The installation of a cooling system kit (new aluminum radiator, fans, and stainless plumbing)

  • AC system flush with new Sanden 508 compressor and hose repair with the system noted to blow “very cold” upon completion

  • Shifter adjustment

  • Exhaust manifold header gasket replacement

  • Throttle linkage adjustment

  • Removal and replacement of the intake and carburetor with adjustments and road test

• Please note that while the odometer displays 78,416 miles at the time of listing, the true mileage of this Pantera is unknown

Features

• Monocoque on-frame construction

• 3,150 pound curb weight

• Just over 44 inches high

• Standard factory air conditioning

• Power windows

• Fully independent suspension

• Rack and pinion steering

• Four-wheel power-boosted disc brakes

• 85 liter fuel tank

• Front and rear anti-roll bars

• Previous owner performance modifications include:

  • Holley 1416 carburetor

  • Milodon aluminum water pump

  • Long & Newman Enterprises vented front hood and air dam

  • Rear deck spoiler

  • Aftermarket Kenwood AM/FM Cassette stereo

Known Imperfections

• Minor wear on the interior

Included

• A partial toolkit as pictured

• Recent service receipts

• Original wheels with tires are included with the sale

• Jack without tire tool

Ownership History

According to the accompanying digital Deluxe Marti report, this DeTomaso Pantera was built in October 1972 as a 1973 model year example. Finished in Red and sold through Fred Jones Lincoln-Mercury of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in December 1973. By the mid-1980s, the car had relocated to San Diego and was sold by The Fine Car Store in 1986 to a US Navy Naval Flight Officer based in Miramar just north of the city. Likely by the mid-2000s, the car had relocated to North Carolina via Florida before being sold.

Optional vehicle service contract available for $1,200. Learn more about the program here. *Sales tax may be applicable.