Panteras were built by Italian car maker De Tomaso and imported to the U.S. by Ford in two series: the cars built from 1970 through August 1972, with small chrome bumpers, and the L, for “Lusso” aka luxury, with bulky black bumpers running until 1975. (De Tomaso made Panteras after 1975 but not for the U.S.) The “Pre L” cars are considered more desirable. Backdating “L” bumpers is common. Speaking of which, all sorts of things happen to Panteras courtesy of their owners – from giant motors to bling-y wheels, glittery paint to loud pipes. The car just seems to draw the custom crowd, to the point that original untouched cars are drawing massive premiums in the marketplace. That said, let’s take a look at this 1972 De Tomaso Pantera offered here on craigslist, with an asking price of $115,000, located in Madison, Connecticut. Thanks to Pat L. for the tip!
This seller indicates this is a two-owner car, and all documentation including the original bill of sale, is with the car. The tool kit and spare are present. Substantial restoration work was completed, including a rebuild of the matching numbers motor, new brakes, rebuilt ZF transmission, fresh paint, etc. Mileage is quoted at 27,800, but there are many low mileage Panteras around thanks to the brutal driving experience and frequent breakdowns. The car’s interior is nearly spot-on. Originally these cars were delivered with a radio blanking plate, and this one has a radio. You won’t hear a radio unless the car is turned off because the 351 cu. in. Cleveland V8 is wailing right behind your head. The seats are not configured as original for a Pre L. The pleats should run at a 90-degree angle to the bolster, not in the same direction, and the fabric should be dimpled, not smooth. That said, this cockpit is spiffy. The hard-to-find steering wheel is original, gauges look good.
The pop-up headlights appear to operate. One of the frustrations with the Pantera was its complicated wiring system – each car seemed to be wired differently. The car experienced overheating thanks to the mid-engine layout with the radiators up front lying down along the sloped hood. The cockpit was hot. Electric window motors failed. Still, many of its ills can be fixed these days with better technology.
The car wears its original wheels and brand new tires. Personal investigation of panel gaps is encouraged – a lot of Panteras were wrecked. Despite the uninspiring color, this car presents well. But wait! What’s missing? Well, the heart of a Pantera is its engine bay. But nowhere in this ad are we treated to a look at it. That’s a letdown. This car was all about performance, with at least 330 bhp on tap, fed through the ZF five-speed, for a top speed of about 160 mph. Before shelling out the money, better take a trip to Madison, Connecticut!
This content was originally published here.