Sunday 14th January 2018

De Tomaso Pantera: Spotted

Why it's worth negotiating one of the ultimate examples of 70s supercar compromise

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The chequered history of De Tomaso is littered with some gorgeous cars.

Though to drive and to own some of its products were as unstable as the firm's financial affairs, to look at they were nearly always a pleasure. Consider the Giugiario-designed Vallelunga and Mangusta - both stunning, by the standards of their times - and even the later Deauville and Longchamp were not without their charms.

Pretty and Italian on top...

Consider most of all, though, this Pantera - it's divine. Look at its little Campagnolo wheels and its bits of chrome glinting in the sun. Look at that rump, too - so pert. The overall look is dainty but aggressive, and how perfectly that suits what it is; a delicate Italian-made supercar with some butch bits of Ford muscle underneath.

It was designed by Tom Tjaarda, then at Ghia, and the body surmounted a Dallara-designed monocoque that featured double wishbones and all-independent suspension. There was a five-speed ZF transaxle in there, too, and, mid-mounted, a 330hp all-iron 5.8-litre Ford Cleveland pushrod V8, similar to what you might have found in a tarted-up Mustang or a Torino. Think 0 to 60mph in 5.5 seconds, and 170mph flat out.

This is a relatively early 1974 example from the US, where Panteras were sold through Ford's Lincoln Mercury dealers, the American giant at that time owning a considerable stake in De Tomaso. Refurbished and refreshed, with a full service and a health check, you might think it worth a punt.

... all-American underneath!

What you'd probably get is a car as temperamental and as difficult to drive and own as any other 1970s supercar, with its heavy steering, awkward driving position and compromised visibility, not to mention its complete lack of ventilation.

All this might be worth it, though, when the sun is high and the blood is bubbling and you find the right road snaking ahead of you - those that have driven Panteras certainly seem to like them. Be warned, though - Elvis had one, and he was so frustrated with his he shot it.

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SPECIFICATION - DE TOMASO PANTERA

Engine: 5,752cc, V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 330@N/A rpm
Torque (lb ft): 325@N/A rpm
MPG: Good one
CO2: Excessive
First registered: 1974
Mileage: 21,000
Price new: N/A
Price now: £109,900

See the full ad here.

Mark Pearson

[timmm]

Nice to see an article on the Pantera here
However the crucial phrase in the article is 'What you'd probably get...' because clearly this gentleman has not driven the car, når does he know what he is talking about.