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Many people view early versions of the De Tomaso Pantera as the purest and most attractive. Vehicles like this 1974 example lack the myriad scoops and spoilers that appeared on later models, providing a surprisingly elegant appearance. This classic is a survivor that has a genuine 14,200 miles on its odometer. Its condition is all you would expect from a vehicle of this caliber, and it could be ideal for an enthusiast dreaming of sliding behind the wheel of an exotic sports car offering exhilarating performance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this stunning survivor.
De Tomaso released the Pantera in 1971 as the replacement for its Mangusta. It enjoyed an impressive production life, with the last cars emerging from the factory in Modena, Italy, in 1992. Ford became involved in the North American import program in late 1971 due to a developing relationship between Alejandro de Tomaso and Lee Iacocca. However, problems soon emerged as it became clear that De Tomaso’s quality control system lacked two crucial factors: Quality and control. Ford became more heavily involved in the build process to improve the finish and durability of cars that would grace showroom floors at its Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. This Pantera rolled off the line in 1974 finished in Red. It was 1-of-4 shades available in that model year, and perfectly accentuates the lines penned by Tom Tjaarda. The seller states that most of the paint is original, although they don’t specify which areas may have previously received attention. The car shines like a new penny, with no visible cosmetic flaws or defects. Early cars were prone to rust, but Ford’s involvement by the time this car emerged from the factory had an enormous positive impact. The lack of visible surface corrosion across various areas suggests this classic is rock-solid. The trim looks excellent, and the beautiful 15″ alloy wheels are spotless.
De Tomaso chose a fairly bulletproof mechanical package for the Pantera that provided performance befitting an Italian exotic. It sourced its 351ci V8 from Ford, which brings us to a fascinating piece of trivia. Ford ended North American production of its 351 Cleveland engine at the end of 1974, but Ford Australia continued churning out these motors until 1982. Therefore, almost any Pantera that rolled out of the factory after 1974 featured an Australian V8. European Pantera buyers had 296hp and 319 ft/lbs of torque available from their mid-mounted 351, although compliance with emission laws resulted in American buyers receiving 266hp and 301 ft/lbs. The power feeds to the road via a five-speed ZF transaxle, allowing the Pantera to cover the ¼-mile in 14.2 seconds on the way to 156mph. The seller indicates that this numbers-matching classic has a genuine 14,200 miles showing on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. The car has a known ownership history, meaning such evidence might exist. They provide no information regarding how it runs or drives, but it would be fair to expect any Pantera within the seller’s price range to be a turnkey classic.
The solitary interior image in the seller’s listing makes it hard to examine the finer details, but what is visible looks positive. There is no evidence of wear on the upholstered surfaces or carpet, further supporting the mileage claim. The dash and pad are excellent, and this car scores points with me courtesy of the gated shifter. The wide array of gauges makes the interior look purposeful, although the factory air conditioning and power windows add a welcome splash of comfort.
Ford discontinued its involvement with the De Tomaso Pantera program in 1975, although the badge soldiered on until 1992. This 1974 example is a gem that the seller listed here on Craigslist in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Naturally, the price of admission won’t be cheap, with potential buyers facing the prospect of handing the seller $105,000 to drive away in this classic. That’s a significant sum, guaranteeing that the seller will face limited opportunities to send the Pantera to a new home. However, I believe they will probably succeed if they remain patient. Do you think they will achieve their price, or will compromise be required?
