The 1971 De Tomaso Pantera

 

My Favorite Old Sports Car

 

 

 

     Ever wanted a good old Italian sports car but didn't want a Lamborghini or a Ferrari because they might be a little too common. If so there is a third option in the form of the 1971 De Tomaso Pantera.

     The Pantera is a sports car with a RMR layout and rear-wheel drive. It's equipped with a not so Italian Ford 351 Cleveland V8 that produces a rather poor 330 hp. However later stock dinos would have a power output of 380 hp. The new 1972 Pantera would be reequipped with a new 4 Bolt Main Cleveland engine. This helped the new Pantera meet U.S. emissions standards. You may think this was a win but it wasn't. The 1972 Pantera L was limited to an appalling 248 hp to keep the feds happy. Unfortunately I don't know the top speed of the original Pantera, but I do know that it got to sixty mph in 5.5 seconds which is decent.  

     The Pantera uses power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. However the most interesting feature of the Pantera was when you opened the doors. Whenever you opened the doors a buzzing sound would sound. The ZF transaxle used in the De Tomaso Mangusta is also used in the Pantera.  

     The cost for an original 1971 Pantera today can range to $19,750 which is sort of cheap.