- The Pantera was one of the most successful cars to match American V-8 power with Italian coachwork.
- This example is from the first year of the production run.
- No high-strung Lamborghini or Ferrari powertrain here, just a 351-cubic-inch V-8 that your local hot-rod shop can help you keep running.
Formed in the early 1980s, the band Pantera was basically the depleted uranium of heavy metal bands, firing out barrages of guitar-shredding solos, thundering riffs, and vocals like somebody gave an Orc a microphone. Where'd the founders get the name? From a car.
A nicely original example of that car is up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos): a 1971 DeTomaso Pantera. Does this mid-engine monster look like the kind of thing that would inspire albums like 1992's Vulgar Display of Power? Not really. Later Panteras and modified ones are certainly over the top, but an early-1970s one is quite elegant.
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See all results for used 1971 De Tomaso Pantera for sale near 28001
This particular Pantera has a few modifications but happily hasn't been messed with too much. The seats have been replaced by more comfortable Porsche 914 units, and the side mirrors are carbon-fiber look as might be found on an E36 M3. Further, it should be noted that these late-1971 cars got rather cartoonishly large mufflers, something that was corrected in later models. They look like someone took them off the deck of the USS Missouri.
Otherwise, this is a very tidy-looking car with an interesting history. DeTomaso, the company, was founded by the eponymous Alejandro de Tomaso in 1959. Born in Argentina to parents with Italian roots, he left the country after becoming embroiled in the former's political turmoil. He wound up in Modena and began building cars.
At first, these were mostly racing specials, but DeTomaso Automobili soon produced its first road car, the pretty little Vallelunga. This car was very light and made the most of a small Ford-sourced four-cylinder engine. Think 1960s Lotus Elise, and you're most of the way there.
For its follow-up act, DeTomaso stuck with Ford, but doubled the cylinders. The Mangusta, a great name for a great-looking car, paired a 4.7-liter V-8 with Ghia-built coachwork and was much more commercially successful than the Vallelunga. Pantera sales would make it look like a flash in the pan.
Thanks to an official partnership with Ford, which sold the Pantera out of its Lincoln-Mercury dealers, over 6000 cars were built in the early 1970s. They were everywhere in popular culture. Elvis once shot his when it wouldn't start; you can see that car in the Petersen Museum. Hockey player Tim Horton, the founder of the Canadian doughnut chain, perished when he crashed his. For a time, the fastest road car in Japan, with an official speed record at the test circuit all the Japanese manufacturers used, was a red Pantera.
This one is perhaps a slightly tamer panther as it retains its 351-cubic-inch Cleveland V-8, which was good for 310 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Recent work includes replacement of the fuel pump, a coolant flush, fresh exhaust manifold gaskets, and a new oil pan and gasket. You may notice from the photos that the luggage tray is not present. You don't really put luggage in the rear of a Pantera—unless you would like it to be cooked.
On the outside, the red paint suits the shape quite well, and the 15-inch Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels look sharp. A set of fresher tires should be on any pre-drive checklist, though.
The mileage is very low at just 18K miles, as the original owner kept this car in storage for over two decades. Now refreshed, it's a panther that's ready to go on the prowl again.
The auction ends on January 15.
