| Specifications:
Engines available: 351ci 5.8L Cleveland V8, 330 hp. Transaxle: ZF five speed manual. Wheelbase:
98.4", weight 3123 lbs.; unit-body construction; length 158".
Facts:
The de Tomaso Pantera (pantera is latin for
"panther") was imported from Italy by Ford and sold through
Lincoln Mercury Dealers as an exotic sports car to compete with the Corvette,
presenting a much cheaper exotic than the Ferrari. Base price was around $10,000, and it was powered
by Ford's 351 Cleveland. Some initial quality issues plagued its introduction, and federally
mandated emissions and bumper regulations affected the design in later years. Approximately 5500 were
imported over four years. Performance specs for a stock 1971 model are:
0-60mph 5.5 seconds; 1/4 mile 14.0 seconds @ 99.4mph; top speed 159 mph.
The car featured manual rack and pinion steering, power four-wheel disc
brakes, and fully independent suspension. An "L" or luxury version was available starting in 1972, and the GTS was available in 1974.
Though no longer imported to the US, Pantera production continued through 1993,
with minor styling changes and new names such as the GT4, GT5, GT5-S, and Si.
In 1993, the Guara was introduced to replace the Pantera and was powered by
Ford's modular 4.6L V8.
Related Cars:
See Also:
1963-1966 Vallelunga 1966-1971 Mangusta 1971-1985 Deauville
1976-1989 Longchamp Biguā Guarā
Innocenti
Mini Brochures:
1974 Pantera GTS 1981
Pantera GTS
Longchamp
Deauville
Innocenti Mini Future Cars: "Panthera"
Updated Pantera concept by 3D
artist and designer Stefan Schulze. This rendering revisits the Pantera shape as
a modern retrospective model built atop the bones of a Lamborghini Gallardo.
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Click on an image for a larger view...
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