1972 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe

351ci OHV V-8 Engine
Single 4-Barrel Holley Carburetor
Est. 395bhp
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension with Coilover Shocks
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Offered from long-term enthusiast ownership for some two decades
*Always a California car, with known history in good hands since new
*Excellent, well-maintained older restoration in superb order
*Numerous sought-after upgrades, many by Pantera specialists Bob and Don Byers
*An excellent example of the 'pre-L' Pantera

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This sleek De Tomaso Pantera is a most desirable 'pre-L' model, retaining the more attractive earlier styling that lasted only through the 1972 production year, as well as the early close-ratio transmission that provides better performance. It was sold new early in the following year, with a California registration on file noting that it was delivered on January 5, 1973. The dealer of sale was presumably Peyton Lincoln-Mercury of Harbor City, California, whose window sticker also remains in the file, noting that the car was originally white and equipped with air-conditioning, five-speed transmission, four-wheel power disc brakes, power windows, full tinted glass, magnesium sport wheels, and radial tires – all at no extra charge, with a price tag of $10,113.

That early California registration notes that on March 17, 1973, the Pantera was registered to Slick Gardner of Buellton, believed to be the original owner, who was quite the enthusiast of performance automobiles. Known as an Auto Racing Club of America driver, he appeared in a Gardner Racing Mercury in a NASCAR Winston Cup race at Talladega in 1973, starting 11th and finishing 47th Overall. He was also intended to partner with car owner Phil Henny behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Camaro in the 1976 24 Hours of Daytona, although they did not start the race.

The current caretaker notes that the car was subsequently acquired by Phillip Arthur Griffith of Goleta, for whom a 1982 registration is in the file. Mr. Griffith completed the Pantera's restoration, refinishing it to red in the course of what the owner recalls as a frame-off rotisserie restoration.

The next owner, the car's third, was an avid enthusiast and multiple Pantera owner. He upgraded the interior, replacing all vinyl, including both the seats and door trim, with the highest-quality leather. A later metal dashboard was fitted, replacing the original dash, whose unusual design made it difficult to view the gauges while driving. An additional gauge for transmission temperature was fitted, using a Veglia unit that nicely matches the original gauges. The sound system was updated, and integrated turn signals fitted within the mirrors, in addition to other electronic upgrades. At this time the wheels were also upgraded, as well. The owner notes that during this ownership the car's engine was rebuilt to be much powerful than stock. While he received no documentation of this work, when he became the fourth owner some twenty years ago, 395bhp was quoted by the seller, and the owner happily notes that the additional performance is obvious on the road!

Continuing the car's history of fastidious maintenance, the owner notes that he has undertaken considerable work with the noted Pantera specialists Bob and Don Byers of Precision Proformance. A chassis stiffening kit was fitted to reinforce both the front and back of the car, and prevent the body from flexing. The battery was relocated to below the bottom of the front luggage compartment, lowering the center of gravity and providing a bit of additional luggage space. Modern disc brakes with a Corvette master cylinder were fitted, to upgrade stopping power, and coilover suspension fitted at all four wheels, both by the Byers. The cooling system was upgraded with a new radiator, pressure pots, and hoses, and a water shut-off kit was fitted to prevent the radiator coolant from flowing through the passenger compartment, to keep the passengers cool in the summer. To the same end, the air conditioning system rebuilt with all-new components, to work properly on R134a refrigerant.

The car has been exercised a few thousand miles over the years, and when not on the road has remained in the owner's climate-controlled garage. He was told by the previous owner that the car has never been washed, only wiped down and detailed whenever necessary, and has maintained the same tradition. As a result, this Pantera remains in beautiful order, with its paint still in superb condition, and, significantly, is described as rust-free from top to bottom. The owner has changed the clutch and had the carburetor rebuilt, both in preparation for the sale, and notes that all gauges and indicators work, including the seatbelt light.

There is almost certainly no better-sorted, more thoroughly prepared and genuinely superb "pre-L" Pantera available on the market today.

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