10K Original Miles: 1973 DeTomaso Pantera
This 1973 DeTomaso Pantera is claimed to be a low-mileage survivor with just over 10,000 actual miles, according to the seller. The paint is a welcome change of pace from the whites and blacks many Panteras were, and an awesome period color. The presentation is excellent, with clean cosmetics throughout and a highly-detailed engine bay. Panteras have hovered around the same price point for years and still seem like a great deal – even in time capsule form like this. Find the Pantera here on craigslist in Ft. Meyers, Florida with an asking price of $68,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for the find.
The Pantera on offer here is considered a “Lusso” model, denoted by the heavy federal bumpers and the loss of push-button door handles. The good news is you can swap in the prettier chrome split bumpers that came on early models, but it’s likely not worth trying to retrofit the push-button door openers. While performance suffered a bit with the transition to the next generation model, the 351 Cleveland still pushed out very respectable performance, with 60 m.p.h. reachable in 5.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 150.
Despite its impressive performance credentials and gorgeous styling, the Tom Tjaarda-designed classic hasn’t yet reached the same level of its contemporaries like the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari Daytona. That’s a good thing for enthusiasts, as those of you with a certain amount of cash in your bank account can still get into a minty example like this for reasonable money compared to those other Italian supercars. The interior of this example is as mint as the low mileage odometer reading would suggest, with no obvious flaws.
Despite the low mileage, the engine bay is even cleaner than I’d expect. The seller notes it still rides on its original tires and that the floors haven’t been replaced, either. That engine bay looks practically brand new, and of course, it’s numbers matching. $70K isn’t chump change, but it’s still an incredible bargain for what you’re getting in return. While there may be some minor flaws in the paint, according to the seller, this is still the kind of car you can hop in and drive with the comfort of knowing you likely won’t lose a dime.
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Comments
From the car’s general appearance, I’d say the low-miles claim is true. But I can’t help thinking the engine has been removed at some point. One of the bellhousing fasteners appears to have been replaced, and even 11K miles should have been enough to give the engine paint and exhaust headers some, well, patina.
Overall, seems like a legit deal, although I’d want to know exactly what work has been done over the years. Some Panteras were a little shaky when it came to assembly quality, and I’d prefer one that had been routed through Bill Stroppe’s shop in California before going to the selling dealer. Years ago, Bill told me some interesting stories about what his crew had to tighten, repair, and/or replace….
Still, the Pantera is a car the owner can actually drive. And that’s exactly what I’d do!
Great car!! Always wanted to drive one of these!! That mid engine design must make for some incredible handling!!!
I know the owner, and this is actually a Fiero based kit car. Ok, not really – just trying to drive the price down. I have always thought these were pretty cool, but as Ray T has mentioned, I have heard about quality issues. When I lived in Florida I talked to an owner who had to totally rewire his when it was still a relatively new car. Still, I would love to have one of these. Instant celebrity status. Kind of like a marriage of the Starski and Hutch Torino and the Magnum PI Ferrari (the cars I thought were cool before I could even drive)
I had one like this in the 90s. A GTS with 11,000 miles. When I think about the cars I should have never sold, it’s near the top of the list.
As for handling, a great car if you love oversteer…especially the throttle-lift kind.
Well cman at least you have the memory of it!! I just have the dream of it!!
The color works very well, looks racy, and is Powered By Ford. Couldn’t ask for a better set up.
Went for a ride in one when I was eight, a new car at the time, Unfortunately the inlaw never went over 25, but I was amazed by the dash and console.
I still see these on the road occassionally, not this color though.
I can say, without reservation, every red-blooded American high school male, had a picture of a Pantera right below the Farrah Fawcett picture in their locker. We knew nothing of Italian exotics, except what we saw in magazines, but here was one, and it had the “Blue Oval”. It was a Ford, and that hit home. Coolest American car( that could be bought) ever. You know, they make a big fuss over the new mid-engine Corvette, Ford did it 50 years ago. $68g’s,,,gulp, but Panteras were never for the paperboy, again, and I hate to sound redundant, but a Pantera ( or Cheetah) for $68g’s, or an IH Scout? You see how silly this hobby can be?
Twenty years old and working hard to save my money, 1986, I really wanted one of these. At that time Pantera’s were anywhere from fifteen to eighteen thousand dollars,,,,…nearing the price or even with many new cars at the time, that was an incredible amount of money to me for an old car.
Didn’t reach my goal, then prices started creeping up on me across the board, half owner of the construction company I worked for paid thirty grand for an SS396 Chevelle in 1990, possibly late ’89. Looked like a brand new 1966 Chevelle which I actually thought was kinda dull,,, stock wheels, stock brakes performance etc.,,,,where’s the beef?
Pantera club here in SanDiego would show up at Carlsbad Raceway occasionally and those were modified cars, very quick and the sounds coming out of the exhaust were intoxicating!
The wrong direction of the wipers caught my eye on a left hand drive car.
Could you get these w/o a/c?
Looking at that drivetrain layout under the hatch, is there really anything revolutionary about the basic mechanical setup of the drivetrain if you compare the 2020 mid engine corvette? I say simply it took 48 yrs for the latter to catch up!
Yep. And the 2020 Corvette is also $68,000.
Did these not come with formula steering wheels as well?
Surprised Ford did not insist on full door glass styling & possibly frameless glass.
For 1973 model year could only do 0 to 60 in 6.6 seconds and a quarter mile of 14.45. Good for it’s time.
SO nice to see an unmolested Pantera! Father worked for FoMoCo PR in NYC, brought home a red 71 to tease me when starting HS.. Told me I could drive one if I got my grades UP. Fall of 73 saw me rewarded by being allowed to drive a silver 74L….Ford sold this “press-car” in the fall of 75 for $7800…to a retiring Secret Service Agent of all things .The mechanical-music of the Cleveland at full chat..6″ from the back of your neck, IS a life long cherished memory, as is the view of the four exhaust pipes pumping out the condensation clouds as it warmed up. I count it as an EXTREME good fortune, luck, and trust that I have this memory of these amazing vehicles. The new owner is going to have a WONDERFUL time….just DRIVE it!
Dad had one on the lot in the 70’s when new,took it out on the interstate and said he got it up to 175 mph before he backed off. I believe he did,don’t think it maxes at 150.
nice