1974 De Tomaso Pantera

Description

No longer living in Ferrari's shadow, the DeTomaso Pantera has reached genuine celebrity status. Better yet, the Italian-American hybrid delivers neck-snapping performance thanks to good old Ford horsepower and a genuine exotic look that will make it a celebrity everywhere it goes. Extensively restored, this 1974 Pantera is quite likely the fastest car you'll ever own.

Originally Fly Yellow, this angular Pantera now wears a shade of 2010 Ferrari Rosso Corsa (which is bright red to us Yanks) that's simply stunning. Sure, we all know red cars get all the attention, but anything with an Italian shape generates more attention than just about anything else on four wheels, and the Pantera is no exception. Repainted in 2010, it shows just over 1100 miles since it was finished, so it is fresh, fresh, fresh! Unlike the later GTS, this one is simple and purposeful, not over-wrought with plastic add-ons, showcasing the clean design which was built in Italy by Ghia but interestingly enough, penned by American Tom Tjaarda. Fit and finish are quite good thanks to the ministrations of experts who had both more time and better materials than the original builders, and the result is a car that looks like a million bucks. If you can't get noticed in this car, you may as well stay home.

Unlike so many exotics, the Pantera offers plenty of space and luxury features that were still ineffective options on the other big name Italian marques. The leather upholstery might look familiar to Ford fans, as it's reminiscent of the comfort-weave used in Mustangs, but ever so much more aromatic and supple. The largely hand-made dash is angular, but clusters big, bold Veglia gauges front and center with auxiliary gauges on the center stack cleverly angled towards the driver. A/C was standard and has been recently and extensively upgraded so it's actually effective today, and the shifter for the 5-speed gearbox looks vaguely Ferrari-like with its polished gate. A newer AM/FM/CD stereo has also been fitted, making this the rare supercar that you can literally drive every day without issues. There's even plenty of room up front for a briefcase or a weekend's worth of luggage.

And you can forget about $10,000 service bills, because the engine is a 351 Cleveland. This is the original, numbers-matching engine, recently rebuilt with an .040 overbore and robust upgrades that give it an estimated 425 horsepower today. With decades of performance parts to draw from, the Pantera's demons have been thoroughly exorcised, delivering smooth power and torque with a wailing V8 exhaust note that will give you chills. To help keep the hot small block cool, the cooling system has been heavily reworked with a high-volume water pump and a massive aluminum radiator with electric fans, and the electrical system is bulletproof thanks to a fresh wiring harness and Mallory ignition. The ZF 5-speed manual snicks through the gears with ease, yet loafs along on the highway, making this a most usable supercar. The original Campagnolo wheels are currently fitted with 205/60/15 front and 325/50/15 rear BFGoodrich rubber.

Do your homework and you'll find prices on these are on the move, particularly for well-sorted cars with known histories. Invest now and reap the benefits later, but this is one heck of a ride. Call today!