1973 De Tomaso Pantera

Make

De Tomaso

Model

Pantera

Year

1973

Listed price

$82,000

Location

Woodland Hills, California

Transmission

Manual

Mileage

21,000 miles

The De Tomaso Pantera, Italian for "Panther," roared onto the scene in 1971 as Alejandro de Tomaso's ambitious follow-up to the Mangusta. Conceived as a more mass-produced, yet still exotic, mid-engine sports car, the Pantera was a fascinating blend of Italian design flair by Ghia's Tom Tjaarda and reliable American V8 power. Its collaboration with Ford, which saw the Pantera sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in North America, aimed to bring supercar performance to a wider audience. The first generation, produced from 1971 to 1975, quickly became an icon, known for its striking wedge shape, formidable performance, and the distinctive sound of its Ford Cleveland V8. With approximately 7,200 units built during its initial run, the Pantera offered a thrilling, visceral driving experience that solidified its place in automotive history as a true Italian-American hybrid legend. This 1973 De Tomaso Pantera, showing a modest 21,000 miles on the odometer, presents an exciting opportunity for the enthusiast looking to revive a track weapon. Configured as a race car, it promises an unadulterated driving experience, though it requires some attention before it's ready to unleash its full potential. The manual transmission ensures direct engagement with the road, typical of the era's most engaging sports cars. While the engine type isn't specified, these early Panteras were famously powered by Ford's robust Cleveland V8. The seller notes a leak from the driver's side head gasket and a small radiator leak, indicating the need for mechanical refurbishment before this panther can truly pounce. This is a chance to acquire a genuine piece of automotive history and restore it to its former glory.