This 1973 DeTomaso Pantera was initially sold by Peyton Lincoln-Mercury of Harbor City, CA, and was acquired by the seller in 1983 before undergoing a multi-decade refurbishment. It was completed in the late 2000s and consisted of repainting the body red, building and installing an aluminum 427-ci V8, and replacing the ZF 5-speed manual transaxle. Additional work performed at that time included lowering the floor panels to accommodate a taller driver and installing fabricated aluminum engine-bay panels, a Ron Davis aluminum radiator, tubular upper control arms, an electronic parking brake and a GPS speedometer. This Pantera is now offered in Canada with a Deluxe Marti Report, refurbishment images and records, spare parts, and British Columbia registration.
The car was refinished in the Acura NSX shade of Formula Red under current ownership in 2003 by Precision Pro-Formance of Brea, CA, according to the seller. Exterior features include pop-up quadruple headlights, black split bumpers, a vented hood, side mirrors and a Pantera GTS-style quad-exit exhaust with chrome finishers. IPSCO deck-lid struts have been fitted, and windshield wipers are not installed.
The 17-inch and 18-inch HRE five-spoke wheels wear BFGoodrich G-Force Rival tires that show 2021 date codes and measure 245/40 up front and 335/30 out back. Work completed as part of the refurbishment consisted of replacing the suspension bushings and installing Koni adjustable coil-overs, front and rear tubular upper control arms, a TRW Italia steering rack assisted by a speed-sensitive EZ Electric power-steering unit, and four-wheel disc brakes with StopTech calipers, Wilwood rotors and an electronic parking brake. The cabin features replacement Recaro bucket seats trimmed in black leather. Equipment includes power windows, a Restomod Air climate-control system, a push-button starter sourced from a Nissan GT-R, a center console with a cupholder, and a Pioneer stereo receiver.
The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 800 kilometers, and approximately 14k miles have been added under current ownership. The removed factory speedometer with an odometer showing under 45k miles is included in the sale, and total chassis mileage is unknown.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1973 DeTomaso Pantera |
| Years Produced: | 1971–74 |
| Number Produced: | 7,260 |
| SCM Valuation: | $81,000–$148,000 |
| Tune Up Cost: | $500 |
| Chassis Number Location: | Top edge of dash on driver’s side, visible through windshield |
| Engine Number Location: | In engine bay on driver’s side behind fuel tank |
| Club Info: | Pantera Owners Club of America |
| Website: | http://poca.clubexpress.com |
| Alternatives: | 1968–74 Chevrolet Corvette, 1971–78 Maserati Bora, 1970–73 Porsche 911 |
| Investment Grade: | C |
This car, Lot 103019, sold for $226,000, including buyer’s premium, on Bring a Trailer’s online auction on April 4, 2023.
When asked why a local mansion that cost millions to build a few years ago sold for one-tenth that cost, a real-estate agent I know said simply, “People with means don’t want someone else’s dream home. They will build their own dream.”
It is much the same when it comes to modified automobiles. While minor updates that are easily reversible are typically no problem, a good rule of thumb is that any money spent on mods will be lost when sold. Of course, rules are made to be broken, and the prices some auction companies get for heavily modified vehicles often defy logic. Still, buyers generally don’t want someone else’s dream.
But there are some automobiles that just beg to be updated. Take the 964-series Porsche 911 built from 1989 to ’94. They were fine cars when new, but modern advances can find them lacking today. Singer Vehicle Design has made “reimagining” these Porsches an art form, and Singers are now worth far more than the originals. Many other automobiles from the 1970s to the 1990s are also ripe for modernization. With the DeTomaso Pantera, it’s a common practice.
Finishing the job
When new, the Pantera was a compelling hybrid of Italian flair and American practicality. Introduced in late 1971, the Pantera was sold by Ford through Lincoln-Mercury dealers, so parts or repairs for these machines were readily available nationwide. The American connection ran deeper than the 351-ci Ford Cleveland V8 mounted midship, as expat designer Tom Tjaarda created the stunning shape on behalf of Carrozzeria Ghia (then owned by Alejandro de Tomaso).
But the Pantera was hardly la dolce vita on a beer budget. With a $10,000 MSRP, they were $4,000 more than most new Corvettes, though good value against pricier exotics. The timing of the launch could hardly have been worse. U.S. government emissions regulations now strangled engine output, and the doldrums for the American economy and its auto industry were just starting. Despite it all, the Pantera was quick; Car and Driver recorded 0–60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
However, not all was right with early Panteras. Build quality was lacking, ergonomics were abysmal and many period reviews found the car to be not quite ready for prime time. Add in a sub-par cooling system for warmer U.S. climates and various factory recalls, and you’ll find yourself wondering what the Pantera could have been, say, a half-century later.
Modifying a vehicle walks the fine line between keeping the spirit of the original or turning it into a Rat Fink-like caricature. Even DeTomaso, after its relationship with Ford ended in 1975, couldn’t resist updating the Pantera to the Pantera GT5, with an aggressive front air dam, bulging fender flares and a Countach-esque rear wing.
Our featured Pantera walks that line, though at a glance it looks factory stock. The engine compartment and undercarriage show great attention to detail, quality engineering and fine workmanship. Unsurprisingly, the interior received similar thoughtful treatment. Consider our subject car a modern reimagining of the DeTomaso classic, a 50-year-old Pantera transported successfully into the 21st century.
Exception to the rule
SCM’s Pocket Price Guide shows a high value for Ford-era Panteras at $148,000. But Barrett-Jackson sold a highly modified Pantera named ADRNLN, built by the the famed Ringbrothers, for $330,000 in 2015 (SCM# 258303) and again in 2022 for the same price (SCM# 6950582). Clearly, at least some customized examples are capable of off-the-charts results.
Outside of the handful of Panteras built for Group 4 competition, which are understandably of greater value, the most expensive factory-stock Pantera in the SCM Platinum Auction Database is the last one imported by Ford to the States. It was immaculately preserved and showing just over 17,000 miles when it sold for $203,500 in 2017 (SCM# 6846556). The other high-book Panteras are all customized.
Of the 171 Panteras sold on Bring a Trailer, our featured car is that platform’s top sale at $226k. BaT’s previous high was $175k, and that car, too, was heavily modified, though perhaps not as tastefully as this one. That rule of thumb about modifying cars still stands, though not for every collector car. This well-sold Pantera is proof. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Bring a Trailer.)
