1973 Detomaso Pantera Black

The Pantera is a one of a kind Italian American exotic that is cousin to the Ford GT-40. This specific automobile was ordered new through Borough Motors of Charlotte, North Carolina. The Pantera’s bodywork was designed under the direction of American designer Tom Tjaarda. This car was acquired by the seller in 2009 and was a solid, low mileage automobile. This example left the factory finished in white and underwent a color change to black prior to the seller’s acquisition and underwent a total repaint in 2015.

Immediately upon acquiring the Pantera in Arizona, it was taken to world renowned Pantera specialist Mr. Leslie “Les” Gray. Les went through the Pantera from stem to stern and over the course of many months, brought the Pantera up to modern day driving standards, reliability and performance. Over $30,000 was invested under Les’s guideance and all the documentation is available to show all the details of what was done.

The car rides on it’s original 15″ Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels and features pop-up headlights along with impact bumpers. Power is provided by the original 351ci Ford Cleveland V8 fitted with a Demon carburetor from Barry Grant along with an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and a stainless-steel exhaust system with ANSA finishers.  Refurbishment work completed in 2009 by Les Gray involved replacing all suspension bushings with poly urethane bushings, adding camber adjustable upper A arms, rebuilding the ZF five-speed manual trans-axle using all new original stock gears and synchros, overhauling the power-assisted disc brakes, installing Koni adjustable shocks, rebuilding the brake master cylinder and calipers as well as replacing the brake lines and hoses. Also installed was a lightweight flywheel, a high pressure clutch and master cylinder, upgraded half-shafts as well as a long throw slave cylinder. The entire cooling system was also upgraded including high efficiency fan motors and blades and thermal switches. The car runs perfectly within normal operating temp on the warmest of summer days and the AC running.

Inside the cabin is a three-spoke steering wheel paired with a gated shifter and accompanied by an AM/FM stereo, air conditioning, and power windows.  The bucket seats were reupholstered in black leather in 2015, and a matching center armrest has been added. Equipment includes an AM/FM stereo, air conditioning, shoulder belts, and power windows. The air conditioning system was overhauled as part of the 2009 refurbishment work, and the radio has been retrofitted with an audio-in connection.

This vehicle has run in the prestigious Copperstate 1000 and Going to the Sun road rallies multiple times under current ownership where it earned a reputation among the participants as being a very high performing and very reliable rally car.

This Pantera is offered with a Deluxe Marti report, manufacturer’s literature, detailed records, a tool kit, a car cover, and a clean Indiana title. The exterior paint is immaculate as is the interior. This car would be welcomed equally at the most prestigious of Concours events as well as road rallies.

There are very few 1970’s era automobiles that are solid as a rock at 140+mph, in the summer, with windows up, AC on, and interior passengers cool and comfortable for hundreds of miles in mountainous terrain…as the current owner has done in this wonderful automobile on multiple occasions.

This amazing limited edition automobile needs nothing to enjoy, drive, rally and show at America’s most prestigious events.