1971 De Tomaso Pantera

Make

De Tomaso

Model

Pantera

Year

1971

Listed price

$83,500

Location

New Braunfels

Transmission

Manual

Mileage

25,824 miles

When Alejandro de Tomaso launched the Pantera in 1971, he aimed to build a high-performance, mass-produced sports car that blended Italian exoticism with reliable American V8 power. Replacing the Mangusta, the Pantera (Italian for "Panther") was a collaboration with Ford, intended to be sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in North America. Its striking Ghia-designed wedge shape, penned by Tom Tjaarda, encapsulated the audacious spirit of the era, while its mid-mounted Ford 351 Cleveland V8 offered prodigious power and straightforward maintenance. Over its astonishing two-decade production run, the Pantera evolved, but the early pre-L models like this 1971 example are celebrated for their purer, more aggressive styling and raw driving experience, devoid of the later, heavier bumpers. This particular 1971 De Tomaso Pantera, finished in a vibrant yellow, embodies that original vision with just 25,824 miles on the odometer. While the heart of the beast remains the iconic 351 cubic-inch V8, this example has been significantly enhanced with twin turbos, promising a truly exhilarating, albeit untamed, driving experience. Paired with its original manual transmission and right-hand drive configuration, this Pantera is a rare and compelling proposition. Though it has been sitting and will require recommissioning, including a repair to the fuel tank, the engine has recently been started and run smoothly with an external fuel cell, and an oil change with Royal Purple has been performed. This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire an early, unadulterated Pantera, ripe for a discerning enthusiast to bring back to its full glory.