1971 DeTomaso Pantera Information and History

Elvis Presley, who had a passion for both guns and cars, shot this Pantera with his personal firearm during a temperamental outburst when he lost patience because the car would not start. The two bullet holes on the steering wheel rim and one in the floor pan were never repaired and today serve as reminders of his occasional fits of rage. Elvis bought this Pantera for $2,400 in 1974 for his girlfriend, actress Linda Thompson. Although its mid-engine configuration qualified it for 'exotic car' status, the De Tomaso Pantera cost less than a comparable Ferrari or Lamborghini because of its relatively inexpensive, but still potent Ford engine.

Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen

Source - Peterson Museum

The Pantera was the result of an Argentinian racing driver (Alejandro De Tomaso), Italian engineering and American muscle. The styling was handled by Tom Tjarda while Giampaolo Dallara was responsible for the structural design. Looking at the vehicle, it greatly resembles that of the Lamborghini offspring. The reasoning for this resemblance could be attributed to Giampaolo Dallara who was also aided in the designing of the Lamborghini Miura.

The wing on the back was optional. If used, it would help by providing down force and aided in stability, however, it also slowed the vehicle down and decreased the visibility out the rear-view mirror.

The engine was a V8 borrowed from the Ford Mustang and the 5-speed transaxle was that of the Ford GT40. The design of the car was intended to be simple. The reasoning was to mass-produce these easy-to-assemble cars. An ambitious goal of 5,000 vehicles a year was set. Ford aided with some of the financing. Their part of the deal was to retain distribution rights in the US while DeTomaso could have the European market. Ford was the first to back out, after energy crises were becoming more common in the 1970's, coupled with poor build quality of the vehicle. DeTomaso continued but in limited production.

The Pantera was designed by famed stylist Tom Tjaarda and built by Formula One driver and industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso.

Worldwide approximately 1,500 Pantera's still exist, out of 7,200 produced between 1971 and 1996. In 1971 a new Pantera sold for approximately $10,500, while a new Corvette sold for $5,496.

This modified Pantera is powered by a Robert Yates 393 'Cleveland' engine with 550 horsepower using a ZF five-speed transaxle. It will accelerate from 0-60 in under four seconds and exceed 180 MPH.

Coupe
Chassis Num: THPNLE01423

This 1971 De Tomaso Pantera was restored in the early 1990s. In total, over 820 hours of labor and $61,000 were spent on the restoration. It is finished in light gold with tan leather interior. It is fitted with the large 351 cubic-inch Ford 'Cleveland' V8 which produces 330 horsepower. The Pantera's were capable of a top speed of 160 mph.

The Pantera was a very important car as they helped establish de Tomaso's presence in the American marketplace. The body was styled by Tom Tjaarda, son of Lincoln-Zephyr designer John Tjaarda, then working at Ghia. Vignale was tasked with performing the actual construction. The cars were given a wedge-shaped form with a pointed nose and disappearing headlamps. It is not fully known on how many examples were produced; Lincoln-Mercury claims to have sold more than 6,000 examples at a price around $9,000 at port of entry.

This example was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' where it was sold for $58,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.

The Pantera is DeTomaso's most significant production car to date, and lived an overall production life of nearly 25 years. It is the model which most people identify with DeTomaso, and completed the company's transition to a volume producer of high perforamnce GTs. In describing the Pantera's career, especially from a U.S. perspective, it is easiest to view it in three separate stages: the Ford importation era (1971-1974), the post-Ford era (1975-1990) and the final iteration (1991-1994), as these last Panteras were substantially different than all prior machines.
In the late 1960s, Ford was in need of a high performance GT to combat the likes of Ferrari and Corvette, and assist in generating additional dealership traffic for its mainstream product lines. DeTomaso Automobili was relying on Ford for engines used in the Mangusta and had purchased the Ghia design and coach-building concern. After Ford's failed attempt to purchase Ferrari, the Ford-DeTomaso marriage seemed quite natural, so a business / purchase arrangement was consummated and work began on new mid-engined GT. It would be marketed in the U.S. by Ford's Lincoln-Mercury division.

Ghia stylist Tom Tjaarda styled the new machine, and Giam Paolo Dallara was engaged for chassis and production design. The Pantera's layout differed from the Mangusta in several fashions. First, it was conceived with a full monocoque chassis layout, as opposed to the prior car's spine chassis design. Secondly, it to be built around Ford's then-new 5.7 liter (351 cubic-inch) 'Cleveland' V-8. This engine featured deep-breathing heads patterned after the very successful Boss 302 design, 4-barrel carburetion and 4-bolt main bearing caps. The new V-8 was mated to a ZF fully synchronized 5-speed transaxle with limited slip, and rated at 310 horsepower (SAE Gross, 1971 trim).

All of the expected race-inspired componentry is present: fully independent suspension with upper and lower A-Arms, coil-over shock absorbers, front and rear sway bars, 4-wheel power disc brakes, cast magnesium wheels by Campagnolo and rack-and-pinion steering. The front compartment houses the brake booster, master cylinder, battery and tool kit; the rear trunk unit, easily removable for engine access, holds a considerable amount of luggage. The interior features an aggressive cockpit design, full instrumentation, factory air conditioning and power windows. 1971 and 1972 cars carried chrome bumperettes front and rear.

In late 1972, the 'L' model was introduced, which features black safety bumpers front and rear, improved cooling and air conditioning systems and other enhancements. For 1973, the 'L' model continued with a revised dashboard and instrument layout. The last Panteras constructed for the US market were built in late 1974, and included approximately 150 GTS models. The GTS featured fender flares and additional black out paint trim. European versions received larger wheels, tires and other performance minded enhancements.

The first Panteras were marketed at 'Around $10,000' as the advertisements would say: the final 1974 units carried prices approximately $12,600.

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