When Alejandro DeTomaso retired from race car driving he turned to car manufacturing, and by the late 1960s had given the world the bug-like 4-cylinder Vallelunga and the radical V8 Mangusta coupes—aesthetically interesting and competent road cars.
In the meantime, Ford had been seeking to acquire an exotic car company, and they landed on DeTomaso’s doorstep. The radical Mangusta was interesting in concept but not quite right for the American market, but the car DeTomaso had in the works was—the Pantera.
The 1972 De Tomaso Pantera was a true icon of the 1970s, blending sleek Italian styling with powerful American muscle. Produced by the Italian car manufacturer De Tomaso, the Pantera was designed by Tom Tjaarda and powered by a Ford V8 engine, making it a unique blend of European and American engineering.
The Pantera was first introduced in 1970 and quickly became a sensation, thanks in part to its striking appearance. The body was designed by Tjaarda, who was known for his work with the Italian coachbuilder Ghia. The Pantera's body was low-slung and angular, with sharp lines that gave it a muscular, aggressive look. The car's long hood and short rear deck emphasized its powerful V8 engine, which was mounted behind the seats.
Underneath the hood, the Pantera was powered by a 5.8-liter Ford V8 engine, which produced 335 horsepower and 515 Nm of torque. This gave the car impressive performance, with a top speed of around 260 kmh and a 0-60 mph time of just 5 seconds. The engine was paired with a five-speed ZF manual transmission, which provided smooth, precise shifts.
The Pantera's chassis was designed by Gian Paolo Dallara, who had previously worked on sports cars for Lamborghini and Ferrari. The chassis was a steel monocoque design, which provided excellent rigidity and handling. The car's suspension was independent all around, with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars.
Inside, the Pantera's interior was basic but functional, with a driver-focused cockpit that emphasized performance over luxury. The seats were upholstered in leather, and the dashboard featured a simple layout with easy-to-read gauges. The steering wheel was a three-spoke design.
Ford pulled the plug on the program after 1974, when around 5.500 Panteras had been sold. DeTomaso continued to produce the car in Europe up until 1991, though the cars of the Ford years are generally the most sought after.
Overall, the 1972 De Tomaso Pantera was a true driver's car, combining Italian design flair with American muscle. The car's powerful engine, precise handling, and striking looks made it a sensation when it was first introduced, and it remains a sought-after classic today. Whether you're a fan of Italian sports cars, American muscle cars, or just love classic cars in general, the Pantera is a car that's sure to turn heads and provide an unforgettable driving experience.
This rare pre-L model has a fully documented history with only two previous owners in the USA. The first from 1972 to 1983 and the second one bought the car with only 4.000 miles on the clock! He put the car into a dry storage in 1988, where the car spent the next 17 years. In 2005, the car was put back into operation by specialists from Pantera Performance, Denver (new Holley carburettor, new fuel tank). This second owner then sold the car in 2014 to Germany and in 2017 the car was imported to the Czech Republic, where it is currently registered. The condition of the tachometer seems to be correct and with the documented history it is very probable, the car has really only 16.000 miles original miles on clock!
The original Ford Cleveland engine (blue-labelled) was resealed in 2019, when the car got also a new radiator and pipes.
First registration date | 01.07.1972 |
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Body Type | Coupe |
Engine | 5.766 ccm, 335 PS, V8 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Left Hand Drive |
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Layout | Rear Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | Red |
Color - interior | Black |
Miles/Kilometers shown | 16.066 mls |
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Chassis / VIN | THPNMD04154 |
Location - Country | Czechia |
Location - City | Hradec Kralove |
• 2-door coupe body type; • RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 5-speed gearbox; • gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 5766 cm3, advertised power: 246 kW / 330 hp / 335 PS, torque: 515 Nm; • characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4242 mm, width: 1702 mm, wheelbase: 2500 mm; • reference weights: base curb weight: 1297 kg; • top speed: 260 km/h (162 mph) (declared by factory); • accelerations: 0-60 mph 4.9 s; 0-100 km/h 5.2 s
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