1974 De Tomaso Pantera

LMC is very proud to offer for sale this 1974 DeTomaso Pantera GTS

  Having already established himself as a serious automobile manufacturer with the introduction of the Mangusta Coupé, Alejandro De Tomaso commissioned Lamborghini designer Gianpaolo Dallara to produce the chassis for his following project, the mid-engine supercar by the name of Pantera. Ford Motor Company was DeTomaso's partner at the time of the Pantera's introduction in 1971. Just like the earlier Mangusta, the Pantera relied on a Ford V8 power plant mated to a ZF all-synchro five-speed transaxle. DeTomaso's relationship with the Ford Motor Company led to an arrangement whereby the Pantera was distributed through select Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the USA until the 1974 when Ford and DeTomaso decided to part ways. After this point, DeTomaso continued to sell the Pantera in Europe. For the 1974 model year Ford offered 138 US spec GTS to the market (98 to the 49 states and 40 re-documented as 1973 models for California). Due to the falling out between Ford and DeTomaso all references to DeTomaso were removed from the coach of the US spec GTS and replaced with either GTS or Ghia badges.

  This 1974 DeTomaso Pantera GTS offered here for sale is just one of just 138 produced for the U.S.-market and was sold new at Heritage Linc-Merc Inc in Elgin, Illinois. Ordered new in the iconic Red/Black color scheme accented by the famous “Pantera GTS” graphics package. The original owner purchased his new Pantera and drove it from Elgin,IL to his hometown of Miluakee, Wisconsin. After a few years, the original owner sold the car to another owner down the road in Superior, Wisconsin. In 1987, with only 9000 miles it would sell to a new owner in Ramsey, Minnesota who would own it until 2015 accumulating a mere 30,000 miles and remaining in its highly original condition. It then would be sold to its fourth owner in 2016 who decided to restore the car back to its original glory. 

  Due to its excellent survivor condition, the restoration process was significantly easier. The body was in excellent shape and the car still retained its numbers matching 351ci Cleveland engine along with its 5-speed ZF transaxle. The restoration process started with the Pantera experts at GTM who rebuilt the engine, transaxle and all other mechanical systems. The paint work was completed by KIR Restoration in Concord, North Carolina. The interior was in great shape due its low mileage so most of the original interior pieces were re used. Over a 2 year process, the car was completely restored to beautiful condition as it presents today with only test miles since completion. The owner decided to fit larger 18 inch polished Campagnolo wheels but it does also come with the original 15 inch set. 

  This beautifully restored, low production Pantera GTS with its owner's manual, books, ownership history, Marti report, restoration pictures and more! With it’s drop-dead looks, blistering performance and extreme rarity, this Pantera GTS has it all.