How good is a Pantera?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
How good is a Pantera?
There is a partially restored Pantera in my neighborhood. The guy has it in his driveway uncovered. There are no windows or they are rolled down. It's been raining hard here so I'll be the car is full of water. the guy looks like he could not give a crap about the car.
Looks like a cool restoration project. Are they worth anything? Easy or hard to restore?
There is no for sale sign on it but was thinking of offering him something for it.
Yeah Yeah I know it's a Ford...But I heard it has a 6 speed Getrag.
Looks like a cool restoration project. Are they worth anything? Easy or hard to restore?
There is no for sale sign on it but was thinking of offering him something for it.
Yeah Yeah I know it's a Ford...But I heard it has a 6 speed Getrag.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Forest Hills NY
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
I've heard early panteras have rust problems that plus the fact that the car has been exposed to water on the inside may lead to alot of problems (i.e replacing floorpans and what not ) But i mean if you up to the task there really cool cars to restore and you dont see them everyday so the whoa factor is there.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
I grew up with a couple of Panteras in my car group back in the early 70's
The car has a ford mustang drive train... the electricals where horrible..I would suspect you would need infinite patience and a barrel of money.. and I would think you would need five years... Im sure it would drive you to your limits..
The car has a ford mustang drive train... the electricals where horrible..I would suspect you would need infinite patience and a barrel of money.. and I would think you would need five years... Im sure it would drive you to your limits..
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Rogers AR
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
Some of the cars had 6-speeds, most had 5-speed trannys. There is a place in Denver that speciallizes in installing high performance Chevrolet 454 power in these cars. Sounds awesome with mid-engine layout and reasonably light weight.
There is an Owner's group site at http://www.panteraclub.com/home.htm
[Modified by TaxPaid, 2:42 PM 8/6/2001]
There is an Owner's group site at http://www.panteraclub.com/home.htm
[Modified by TaxPaid, 2:42 PM 8/6/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
Now let me tell you how good a Pantera is. It is the first car I went 150 MPH in, back in 1986. Usually will have a Ford 351 Cleveland motor, what does this mean? Very easy to hop up, lots of aftermarket products. It was a limited production car, but the motor was not. I would get it because of its rarity and the fact that during the time it was made it would spank most cars on the street (factory produced that is). If the guy will off it to you, I think it would be a good project car. The car scared the goodie out of me when I was 16, now days 150 mph is still not to shabby. :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
DeTomaso Pantera: Ford Powertrain, usually a 351 Cleveland, mid engined with an Italian Exotic body. Very fast (for its time, still pretty good) car that cost approximately the same as a Corvette at the time. Terrible electrical system and I believe a problem with fires stemming from that electical system. I always thought they were neat cars but I was never a Ford guy (actually, I think sold at Mercury dealers or at least specialty Ford dealers).
Still made, I believe in some form today. As for modification, it might be pretty tight in the mid engine bay. If you like it, go for it but if it has been exposed to the elements...hmmmmmm. Depends on your skills and pocketbook. Good luck! :cool:
Still made, I believe in some form today. As for modification, it might be pretty tight in the mid engine bay. If you like it, go for it but if it has been exposed to the elements...hmmmmmm. Depends on your skills and pocketbook. Good luck! :cool:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
Re: How good is a Pantera? (AKA-TALCUL1)
My brother owned a 1971 Pantera for about 5 years. It only had 16000 miles on it. Bright yellow. He took the stock exhaust off and replaced it wil headers that went straight into the biggest glass packs I've ever seen then exited the car, a total of about three feet. I could stick my hand in the tail pipe without touching. It would shake the cars behind it. He sold it and still keeps in touch with the new owner. We see him all the time at Road America. In fact, he had it out for track touring at the BRIC a couple weekends ago.
They do tend to have rust problems, and they also love to overheat. My brother is 6'3" and all he did was remove the padding on the headline and he fit just fine.
They do tend to have rust problems, and they also love to overheat. My brother is 6'3" and all he did was remove the padding on the headline and he fit just fine.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
Both of the Panteras I was associatted with in the early 70's caught fire under the dash.. both were electrical fires.. i think the harnesses sucked big time.. I believe the electricals were Lucas...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
BTW there were several AC cobra's in our group, and plenty of tripower rat motor vettes.. they would tear those panteras a new butt hole.....they never impressed me.. they looked cool though...as for Pantera Detomosso.. they deigned the two seat buick Reatta... which was God aweful ugly...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,396
Likes: 1,011
From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
Panteras are definitely cool and, as far as exotics go, fairly easy to hop up. Regarding the electrics, just remember why the British drink warm beer--They have Lucas refrigerators!
:jester
:jester
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 339
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From: West Hartford, CT, USA
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
The Pantera's with the Cleveland 351s also had oiling problems, as in 'Oops, I damaged some reciprocating internals'. Great looking, but might tend to spend more time with the hood up than on the track.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 192
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From: Monrovia CA
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
I think that they are a great looking car. The motor looks cool if you put four downdraft webbers on it. I have heard that the five-speed ZF transaxle is very,very expensive to fix or replace. It sounds like it could be a big problem in the one you described. Have the transaxle checked out by someone who knows what they are doing before going any further. If you go for it, best of luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: [QUOTE=onedef92]Remember when that spookable closed the door on that mofo and trapped him inside tha
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '11
Re: How good is a Pantera? (chuckster)
Like 15 years ago a barely remember pushing my girl friends brothers Pantera back to the house from half a mile a way. I admired the way the engine was in the rear but also felt bad for him that it was such a headache. But he loved it and I bet he still has it stashed some where in a garage in Syracuse. Nice hobbie car.
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