1972 Detomaso "Pantera"
Specifications
Engine: Originally a Ford 351 Cleveland V8, now bored and stoked to 408 cid, with a single 750 cfm Holley 4-barrel carburetor with vacuum secondary’s, Chi aluminum heads, Ford electronic ignition, mechanical roller cam shaft, and custom tuned exhaust.
Displacement: 351 cubic inches
Horsepower: 500+ hp at 6,500 RPM
Torque: 450 ft/lbs at 5,000 RPM
Max RPM: 7,000 RPM
Transmission: 5-speed transaxle, 4.22 ring and pinion
Weight: 3123 lbs
0-60 mph: 5 seconds
Top Speed: 165 MPH
A Little History
The De Tomaso Pantera (Italian for “Panther”) was the first attempt at blending Italian body-styling with American muscle. The car was designed by the Italian design firm Ghia by an American-born designer, Tom Tjaarda.
The Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine in the De Tomaso was chosen from earlier American muscle cars, and selected for its higher revving capability. This allowed the car to have more of an Italian appearance, with the strength of classic American muscle.
Interestingly, this de Tomaso is the only car on display that has a ZF transaxle clearly visible in the engine compartment.
A transaxle is a combination of the rear axle and the transmission, built into one piece, and designed to assist with weight distribution.
The interior features black leather seats, steering wheel, dashboard, and center console.
The gauge cluster and radio are located on the center console, unique amongst the other muscle cars currently on display.
The Pantera made its public debut in Modena in March 1970 and was presented at the 1970 New York Motor Show a few weeks later.
It was the automaker’s most popular model, with over 7,000 cars produced during its 20-year run.
The De Tomaso on display has won awards at four different Concours Italiano, a competitive car show held annually in Pebble Beach, California, where cars are graded on their factory originality and cleanliness, including Best De Tomaso in 2005. In 2016 the engine was rebuilt and modified by Pantera specialist Patrick Mical of Performance Automotive Technology.
