72Pantera's ride

[Pantera996]

This is 72Pantera's 1972 De Tomaso Pantera.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/13/panterafrontredrockiw1.jpg

Here it is next to the Porsche

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5594/carsingaragekm6.jpg

And hanging out with the SSC Ultimate Aero (worlds fastest production car).

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/485/1001571oz3.jpg

It used to have the UGLY American bumpers, which I have removed. I still need to get the fab work done to fill the holes.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/956/panterafrontot3.jpg

Standard 1972 interior

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5309/interiorsmallwb7.jpg

Too many mods to list, and most of them would only impress other Pantera owners (such as the rare 14" wide rear wheels). Highlights are the 550HP motor, impossible to replace ZF transaxle, 40" total height and 345 wide rear tires (everyone asks how wide they are).

It is loud and uncivilized. Gets 8.5mpg around town and really prefers 100 octane fuel.

R.

Make of Vehicle?
Ford

Model of Vehicle?
Pantera

Modifications?
GT5 flairs and delta wing.

550 HP Kuntz stroker, B&G Holley Carb. Centerforce clutch, SS long throw slave, safety-wired ring and painted ZF. Hall aluminum radiator with 1250cfm dual fans. Silicone hoses, Big Bore ceramic headers, PI SS mufflers.

345-45-15 rears on 14' wide (rare) Group 4 Campagnolo, 245-40-ZR15 yokohama fronts on 10" wide rims.

Upgraded superstopper brakes with SS lines, Full Woodhouse sway bars and camber locks.

Can't remember what else.

[STACKflyer]

awesome. I do like the newer front bumper much better

[Sephy]

Always loved these. Great to e-meet someone that has one and takes great care of it. Fantastic car man!

[Mecal]

wow that old bumper was horrid!

great car sir!

[Dave.W]

Wow I didnt know this was a ford.

[T_Glass_27]

Great looking car!

[PrimalOrB]

that thing is awesome

[SrFairladyZ]

Those 14" rear wheels impress me and i'm not a Pantera owner! Love that car man, must REally haul ass! Wish I could hear it...hint hint.

[BigBowTie]

awesome car!!

[Crash-Override]

Wow I didnt know this was a ford.

Well the motor is,


And may I say this is the sexiest car ever!! One of my top 5 favorite cars ever made.





ohhh and those wheels = tits.

[Pantera996]

Glad everyone is liking the Pantera. It is strange driving a car that most people have never heard of...or ever seen.

A few random comments:

Yeah, the American bumpers on the car were bad. New safety laws in 73 required the big, solid bumpers that hid the great looking nose of the car.

Taking car of this car is a challenge. I bought the car when it had been sitting for four years. They guy bought it without his wife knowing and it attracted too much attention for him to drive. I've put over $15K into it so far. That may sound like a lot, but it adds up fast - the tires alone were over $1,500.

I listed it as a Ford because there was no "De Tomaso" in the drop down menu. It has a Ford motor and was imported by Ford from 1971 to 1974. The car went from concept to finished car in nine months and had some problems at first, so it is too bad that the gas crunch and upcoming safety laws stopped Ford from importing it just when the bugs had been worked out. They continued to sell Panteras everywhere but the US into the 90s.

You really should hear it. Half of the impact of seeing the car in person is the sound. I will eventually get some video posted. In the mean time, check out video of cars similar to mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASQl5hP9cZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly-CdSR-BZ0

R.

[Nexus]

Wow, this V8 sounds is nice.

[AWD ATTK]

i don't love it, i don't drool over it. You can't do that with a Patnera. This car just kicks fucking ass. any lovers or droolers will be quickly dispatched, this car will wake up the entire neighboorhood at 5am, then wipe your ass all over the expressway on the way to work. Babies can't be withing 50 feet of this thing. Abortions spontaneously happen when he drives by. Nuns cry. Cops look the other way. Traffic parts like you're fucking Moses at the Red Sea!!!

a DAILY DRIVER?!?!?! No smiles, waving or thumbs up. Just nod your head and respect.



:usa:









j/k ,i fucking love this!!!!

[Pantera996]

It was a daily driver when it wasn't in the shop for long periods of time...now it is a semi-daily driver. The AC doesn't work very well and I was too stupid to get it checked out during the cooler months. It is already hitting 90 degrees here so I better get it fixed soon if I want to drive it at all.

It is, indeed loud, and completely uncivilized. Not only in the way it sounds, but to its very core.

R.

[Linken]

Well easily the baddest ride on here IMO! Props for taking care of a classic like this! And those 14" rears are money! :D

[Pantera996]

Thank you for the kind words. I enjoy spreading the Pantera gospel. Quick, everyone go buy one! But only get a widebody - the narrow cars look too dated.

I'm thinking about painting it a satin dark gray with satin black accents. Not flat like a rat rod, but a little shiny like the Reventon.

R.

[Linken]

Hmm i kinda like that it´s white cause every other one in SWE is either Black or red... But that could look so badass to, should get a PS´d pic of it and compare :)

[Pantera996]

Yeah, I will definately PS it before making a decision on paint. I doubt I will go yellow or red...too obvious and flashy for me. I will never keep it clean enough to do shiny black.

R.

[Linken]

But that stealth look could fly on your car since it too has the sharp edges and fighter plane looks. Keep us posted! :)

[Sephy]

It would look good dark but I love it in white so much!

[iloveexplosives]

Your car is rediculous man!

I would paint it some sort of dark deep blood red.

[Pantera996]

Your car is rediculous man!

I would paint it some sort of dark deep blood red.

Hey, my post came back from the dead!

Red isn't my color, but whatever color I paint it will be dark. I really want to tone down the look. I am really self-concious when I drive it. People roll down their windows while driving and yell questions. Of course, I can't hear them because the car is so loud. :-)

R.

[Crash-Override]

I have a couple of ideas that I think would look awesome. Expecially since you want to tone it down a little. btw im a fan of the 2 tone so feel free to take just 1 color if you want.

Gun Metal Satin w/ gloss black 2 tone
Dark Blue Satin or Flat w/ Dark blue gloss 2 tone
Dark Rust w/ Black 2 tone
Midnight Green

Not sure the name but that Silver/Blue flip color on the 01' ish TVR Tuscan's. I always liked that color for some reason.

Im sure I could think of more if you want to ping ideas off each other.

[Pantera996]

I've noticed that I only like satin/flat paint in black or gray. Colors in satin/flat just look like plastic. Anyone else think that?

I will end up doing something with black, gray, silver or blue. I do love a good two-tone paint job, so one never knows. But these cars never came with anything other than solid color...I might want to stick to that, even if it isn't an original color.

I am also thinking about doing a wrap on it. Especially once I get the clothing company up and rolling. Maybe I should start a design that revolves around this shirt design:

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7084/skullpistonog1.jpg

R.

[Crash-Override]

Yeah I only like Satin on darker colors and flat only on black really.

A wrap would definatly be cheaper to do and change, like when you have a new design come out or something. I helped a friend of mine do a wrap a few years ago and our job wasnt pro by any means and it still didnt look that bad from 10' away.

And ive seen "stock" pics of 2 tone Pantera's, never a wide body like yours though..

[Pantera996]

You are right, there are some stock two-toned cars. I am thinking of the ones that have the big stripe along the bottom of the car with reversed out "PANTERA" letters. Yuck.

R.

[Crash-Override]

LOL, gotta love the 70's

However if done right the widebody 2 tones are hot. I saw one years ago while driving through Atlanta and it was super hot. car was red and the flares, lip, skirts, etc.. were black. Also the small lid in front and the wing was black too.. ohh and the mirrors.

It was better looking than me explaining it..lol:blush:

[turboman808]

Very nice. This is one of those cars I plan to own someday. It will be one of my next 3.

For the record ford did not make this car. It's not even labeled as a ford. It's a DeTomaso Pantera powered by a ford motor and imported back in the 70s by ford.

[Olli]

Can I drift it ?


lol

j/k !

I love it !
Marry me !

[Pantera996]

Very nice. This is one of those cars I plan to own someday. It will be one of my next 3.

For the record ford did not make this car. It's not even labeled as a ford. It's a DeTomaso Pantera powered by a ford motor and imported back in the 70s by ford.

I encourage anyone to buy one. You will never get more attention in any other car that costs less than $100K. Well, maybe a Ferrari 355, or early model Diablo.

You are correct about ford importing them from Italy. I think I mentioned that. It only says "Ford" in my post because there was no "De Tomaso" in the pull-down options.


Can I drift it ?

Of course you can...but you might want to put narrower tires on it first. Not sure the transaxle could handle constantly breaking loose those 345s. :-)

R.

[Olli]

I think I still have some 195s that need to go

lol

[turboman808]

I encourage anyone to buy one. You will never get more attention in any other car that costs less than $100K. Well, maybe a Ferrari 355, or early model Diablo.


I see exotic cars day in and day out. There are only a few cars that just never get old for me. Pantera, GT40, 550 spyder to name a few(actualy naming my next 3 cars in no particlular order).

Most ferraris and lambos just don't do a thing for me. They just look soul-less. There are a few I like but not manny.

[SrFairladyZ]

ferrari = soul-less.

Anyone know what this man's talking about? :dunno::dunno:

[Pantera996]

Anyone know what this man's talking about? :dunno::dunno:

Maybe he is talking about all the pedestrian front-engined cars they are selling now? I love all the mid-engine V8 cars, and wish they would come out with another mid-engine V12.

I love all Lambos.

R.

[SrFairladyZ]

Maybe he is talking about all the pedestrian front-engined cars they are selling now? I love all the mid-engine V8 cars, and wish they would come out with another mid-engine V12.

I love all Lambos.

R.

Whatev, they still have the F430/spyder/Scuderia. Changing they're old ritual to include some FR cars by no means makes them soul-less, especially when they still do have a MR car. It just sounds so absurd to me because when I think of heritage and soul in sports cars, Ferrari is one of the first in mind. At least they aren't making SUV's and 4 door sedans like a particular German sports car company (that no one seems to mind but me).

[Pantera996]

Whatev, they still have the F430/spyder/Scuderia. Changing they're old ritual to include some FR cars by no means makes them soul-less, especially when they still do have a MR car. It just sounds so absurd to me because when I think of heritage and soul in sports cars, Ferrari is one of the first in mind. At least they aren't making SUV's and 4 door sedans like a particular German sports car company (that no one seems to mind but me).

I don't hate the front engine Ferraris, or even think they lack soul. But they don't interest me as much. You are correct...if there is ONE THING Ferrari is known for, it is soul.

But different people like different things. TurboMan doesn't dig the Ferraris or Lambos - and we will never understand it. :-)

I am a fan of that particular German sports car company (own a 996) and I am waiting to see what the sedan ends up looking like. So far I don't like it as much and the Mercedes. Hate the SUV, but then again, I don't need one. I think the Boxter and Cayman junk up the brand too, but at least they look good.

R.