Another One Emerges: 1974 Pantera Project
Just a few weeks ago, we featured a Pantera on eBay that was clearly a long-time project put up for sale because the owner was retiring to Florida. Well, ironically enough, Barn Finds reader Patrick S. has spotted another project-grade Pantera here on craigslist actually located in the Sunshine State. Perhaps the first seller can now move to Florida and buy this one as a retirement gift!
Also ironic is that he would be getting into a project in about the same condition, aside from the fact that this Pantera still wears some of its orange paint (which I believe to be a factory color). The curious thing is that a good percentage of the body is in red primer, which begs the question as to why some surfaces were left untouched but the rear quarters on both sides appear to have been massaged at some point.
This is perhaps the most disconcerting image, with the passenger front wheel free from its tire and leaving the Pantera sitting on a bare rim. That, and the wheel itself comes from a late-90s Mustang. This Pantera clearly has some stories to tell but it does make one wonder if it’s undergone accident trauma at some point in time. Perhaps some sort of trauma also affected the seller’s asking price, which seems optimistic at $44,000.
This is the closest we get to an interior photo, and all it reveals is that the exhaust has been removed and unceremoniously dropped into the engine bay. No word on the health of the motor or if its numbers matching. It seems like Pantera projects are getting thrown up on eBay and craigslist with increasing regularity lately, no doubt the result of a few high-price sales driving long-time owners to attempt to cash in. Will this Pantera deliver a payday for its owner?
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Comments
Solid for 23k
I always wanted one of these but the prices for the condition of the projects coming online is insane.
I think it is a “parts Car.” The price is high. I imagine the entire right side in primer, is the result of body damage. Query: What else is bent under all that? Count on doing everything, when a seller gives such weak photographs and does not explain what the h*** is going on here. Yes, it is restorable but that is true about anything. Factor in engine work, clutch, transaxle, paint and body and the ‘not photographed’ interior and we are already beyond what you could buy a good example. I love the Pantera and think it is a car worth having and restoring, but I would start in a better place.
I’ve known this car for about 7 years. Each time he prices it and somebody steps up to buy it, he backs down and then asks for more. I call that “economic prison” for cars. The owner is an older gentleman whose elevator may not go to the top floor any more. The car was hit very hard in the right side on an angle nailing the front door, but the main impact was directly behind the door into the front part of the rear quarter just behind the door. It also caused damage to the passenger side from frame sway. There could also be some transaxle damage. Someone welded a new quarter over the damage and did a pisspoor job of it. Expect additional structural repairs and possibly right rear suspension damage. It has been off the road for at least 15 years if not more. The interior, while original has suffered immensely by being used as a parts storage area, including the right front tire which has left a deep permanent indention into the seat from having sat there for over 10 years. The engine appears original, but I was unable to check the numbers. It can run with some tinkering. He had the carb off and apart all over the garage floor last time I was there a few months ago. When I first saw this car it was priced at 18k, I said yes, then 24k I said yes, then 30k I said no, then 38k I said no, and now 44k. My guess is that is someone days yes to the 44k, it will then be 50k. Good luck.
Given your comments this is not a car to the present owner but a method of reaching out to the public. I suspect no mater the price he will not sell it. I have seen this happen to many older people concerning things from their past that become objects of desire to the younger generations.
This is a sign of loneliness more than anything else and your elevator comment might also apply. When he passes away his children if there are any will be either more greedy than he or will just want to dump it. I wonder if there will be anything left by then.
I liked your first offer the best !!
Priced about two times where it should be.
I dont get the attraction to these. Perhaps an afficianado can explain. A neighbor out here on the Left Coast has one in more or less original and good shape
The attraction comes from having driven one and both hearing and feeling that snarling V8 right behind your seat. At about 140mph the front end likes to catch air and start to lift off and fly though. Ask me how I know. lol
How do you know? You said to ask.
@ KiethK,
Just in case you’re not being funny, that means he has been there.
Woody message me at nickh11 at hotmail
The owners children will fight over this car as inheritance. The court will sell as a sealed bid. Alzheimer’s care may use up the proceeds.
Seriously, I love the Pantera. I tried to buy one a couple of years ago, just before the prices went nuts. The ZF trans was strong enough for the GT-40. The 351 C uses Boss 302 heads, and will easily build over 400 HP. Many parts are available to upgrade the suspension, brakes, and chassis. The floor pans can be lowered 2 inches, which is more important than you would think. Exact replica wheels in 17 inches are available. Show me a more bad ass mid engine car that any of us can rebuild, without Ferrari or Lamborghini parts.
When a ten year old Italian exotic breaks, how hard will it be to get parts.
very sad!
shoot that guy is insane you can pick up a pantera running and almost in perfect condition for the price he is asking . wow someone needs to wake him up and get back into reality /
dear robert can you find one for me for this prize you say
Robert, I’ll take 2 of them if you can find them running and in “good” condition. I don’t even need almost perfect
44k no way. The car owner is delusional.
Wow, you all clearly haven’t been paying attention to what these are selling for the past few years. $80 000.
You think this car is a $23 000 car? That means you think it needs $57 000 invested?
Keep in mind that these are one of the few ‘exotics’ where originality does not have a firm grip on value. These were commonly modified even when they were contemporary and thus are accepted as such. In fact dropping the floorpan is one of the best things you can do!
I agree JW, and when will we run out of people that have more $ than brains.
They are a blast on the open road. They are a muscle car with a modern feeling transmission. Compare it to a corvette with a 4 speed and there is no comparison. To the guy that knows of nice drivers for mid 40s please send me the info. I would pay a good finders fee. Nickh11 at Hotmail is where I am found.
I kick myself for not picking one up when they were on the cheap. And I knew they were cheap. Same with the NSX that sat in the toilet for so many years.
At least I bought my Tiger on the cheap which now has also climbed to the stratosphere.
Stumbled across this one yesterday while out hunting for old cars. No other info available at this time, but if it is for sale, it should be a little cheaper than $44K!
Big rob. Email me at nickh11 at hotmail . com
Hagarty valuation for Panteras of this era..
fair = 56k(but running) Good = 69K Excellent = 92K Concourse over 100k
No listing on Hagarty for “Poor” or “Wrecked”…
My buddy, who worked for FORD, had a ’71(?). He also had a ’71BOSS 351. He swapped engines. He drove it for many years. Entered it in car shows. He is the foremost authority on Panteras. If anybody knows anything about these cars, it’s Jeff Burgy. You Pantera guys might know him.
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Rocco – I certainly remember a “Car Craft” or “Hot Rod” article about a guy that dropped a Boss into his Pantera. Really wide rear wheel/tire combo and a much lower front end. Saw another with a 4 Weber set-up with chrome stacks that made it look like he had a Ford/Cosworth Formula One/Indy engine in it…either of those your friends car ? I would not have pulled the engine from my ’71 Boss to put in one…only because I couldn’t afford BOTH at the same time and stayed married….