Detomaso Pantera, 1972

I am not going to give everyone a lengthy history of Detomaso or the Pantera. as you can easily go to the Pantera Owners Club of America or the Pantera International website and read up the Marque for yourself.   Also. see the cover of Hemmings Motor News this month. and nice article inside.   This car is beautiful and drives very well. with the odometer showing only 19. 00 miles. In my opinion. it is tastefully done. built to look great and perform great.   I had the poster when I was a kid of the Pantera with the wing and flares. and I appreciate that.   But I really like the way this car has the big wheel and tire package carefully fitted without the crazy bodywork. Yes. this car attracts crowds and the cruise nights and car shows.   71 and 72 Panteras require one to raise the rear deck lid to access the fuel filler. so get ready to field questions from everyone else at a gas station.   You're going to be there for a while.

Panteras are all about the modifications. and fortunately these mods make them more desirable. not less (hemi Cuda or an early Vette modified? Oh. the horror!).   This one has many.   I have receipts for most of the parts. mainly sourced from Pantera Performance Center and Hall Pantera.   It has been built with care. as evidenced by use of safety wiring. stainless and chrome fasteners. lock nuts. and anti-seize in the appropriate places.   The car has absolutely no rust. which is paramount for Panteras.   I can find no evidence of any body repairs. crash damage. rust repairs. etc.   All panels are perfect.

With the brake & master cylinder upgrades. it has no longer has one of the Pantera's main weaknesses. poor brakes.   The handling is crisp with virtually every suspension upgrade possible being done.   See the long list of mods below.   Most notable are the Aldan Eagle double adjustable shocks.   They are currently set a little soft. so the ride is as comfortable as a new car.   Ride height is also set low for an aggressive stance.   This can easily be raised with a simple spanner wrench if desired.  

The cosmetics are very nice inside and out.   The paint is very smooth with a good gloss. but has a couple of very small areas with slight age cracks.   I will likely have to point these out. as they are subtle.   Window glass is all perfect.   Weatherstrips are excellent.   Carpeting (cut pile) and upholstery is in perfect condition.   Racing seatbelts w/ custom Pantera logo. mounted to Hall shoulder harness bracket.   Many of the switches have been replaced over the years.   All gauges work. electric windows operate smoothly. etc.  

The engine has good power. but unfortunately I do not have detailed information about the internals.   I am told a former owner ran a speed shop. and built the engine himself. while have Pantera experts do the rest of the work.   This owner was killed driving his Ferrari shortly after building the engine. and no record existed of what he did to the engine.   I can tell you that I have cut open the oil filter. and found no metal in the pleats.   All fluids are fresh.   Only real gasoline (no ethanol blend) in recently drained tank.   I have removed a valve cover. and found adjustable push rods. large double valve springs. and Glyptal painted oil passages.   These are the types of things not done during a stock rebuild. but rather by someone that is detailed oriented.   It idles with a lope. so there is an aftermarket cam.   It has a newer 3310-3 Holley 750 cfm vacuum secondary dual feed carb with electric choke. sitting on a polished aluminum intake.   The engine also has a wide Gilmer belt drive for the front accessories.   This is a pretty high end way of doing things. so I suspect that no short cuts were taken with engine internals.   The headers and mufflers on the car are a little loud to people outside the car. but inside car noise levels are fine.   I like that the tips point level. instead of up at an angle like the stock mufflers.   Between a slight whine from the Gilmer drive and the unique exhaust note of the short Pantera layout. the car makes some beautiful sounds.

This Pantera could easily be a track day car with a shock adjustment and a willingness to beat on it. which I have decided I cannot do (I am building a dedicated car for this purpose).   I have also found out that going from four cars to five in your personal collection will cause one's wife to want a new 2014 Corvette.   So. I am reluctantly selling this one.

Please email or call me with any questions. and I will do my best to answer honestly.   I always appreciate it when I show up to buy a car that is described honestly. so I want the same for you.   601-397-2542. The car is located in the Jackson. Mississippi area.   It is kept in a climate controlled shop. and you can easily view it on my lift.   It is sold as is. where is.   Shipping would be your responsibility.

Modifications include:

Painted engine compartment w/ hidden hoses

Gilmer drive A/C. 100 amp alternator (newly rebuilt). & Water Pump - makes a nice. subtle whine

Hall Pantera MK X polished billet wheels (17x8 front. 17x11 rear). mounted w/ ½” studs

Michelin Pilot Sport Tires. 335/30/17 rear 235/40/17 front

Wilwood safety wired. two piece rotors w/ Dynalite 4 piston calipers. polished stainless hard lines. braided hoses. aluminum master cylinder upgrade.

Hydraulic lock parking brake

Aldan Eagle double adjustable coil over shocks

Adjustable rear A-arms w/ poly bushings. Timken upright mod

Grease fittings in A-arm bushings

Camber fix kit

Aluminum jack plates

Detailed & painted ZF transaxle with polished stainless vent tube

U-joint covers. stainless steel

Steering rack bushing upgrade

Chrome 7/8” rear sway bar w/ billet mounts

Polished transaxle and motor mounts

Aluminum adjustable wheel house support bar

Stainless steel splash covers for rear wheel wells. gas tank

Deck lid has stainless steel inner tunnel covers. upholstered panels

Rear fiberglass trunk insert with tonneau cover

Custom interior with custom console housing gauges. mirror switches. tail light kill switch

LeCarra Steering wheel w/ quick release

Fresh A/C system w/ R-134a. braided lines. polished dryer. new blower motor

Mirriah Dual Fan upgrade

Aftermarket driveshafts/u-joints

Vader rectangular headlight conversion w/ Hella bulbs

European tail light upgrade w/ amber turn signals

Aftermarket power side view mirrors

Rolled fender lips (perfectly done)

Blacked out trim. bumpers. and emblems

Big bore Headers. mufflers w/ chrome tips

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?