Presented by the renowned Italian coachbuilder, Ghia, with aerodynamic lines designed by American Tom Tjaarda and Gian Paolo Dallara engineering the steel monocoque chassis for the car; Ford Motor Company began the importation of this car in 1971 through their Lincoln-Mercury dealerships and garnered numerous accolades for the effort. The sleek two-seater displays the grace and beauty of a GT thoroughbred, and in the time of its release, the Pantera was recognized as one of the most impressive vehicles of its type and price that had yet been offered in the United States. The Pantera was specifically aimed at the avid driving enthusiast who demanded high standards in his motoring – whether it be handling, maneuverability and performance.

Priced at just under $10,000, when new, Car & Driver magazine recorded a 0- to 60-mph sprint in just 5.5 seconds; excellent performance considering the smog-controlled performance of the era. From 1971 to 1974 5,244 Pantera’s were brought to the U.S. while the total production number was around 6,500 vehicles. Top speed was quoted at 170-mph. Road & Track named it Sports Car of the Year in 1973. The cars were covered well in the motoring press and the public responded appropriately.

Powering this pre-L Pantera is a potent Ford 351 cubic inch, 330 horsepower “Cleveland” V-8 engine. Paired to the engine is a ZF five-speed manual transaxle with a gated shifter; the presentation of the powerplant appears quite tidy in the corresponding photos and it’s reported to have its correct drivetrain. The Pantera is also said to have been sparingly driven.

The Pantera is stated to have a complete transaxle service that was executed by RBT Transmissions in Compton, California. The history of RBT Transmissions began with the stellar career of Roy Butfoy who was a member of Ford's GT team at Le Mans and was later instrumental in setting up Ford's ZF re-manufacturer program during the time Lincoln-Mercury imported the Pantera. After Roy’s passing, his son, Lloyd, ended his 12-year career as a Gearbox Technician with the CART / Indycar series in order to continue his father's reputable legacy.

The DeTomaso has benefitted from a nut-and-bolt restoration that was completed in July 2015 and of course remains in “mint condition.” It is beautifully finished in red with a complementary black interior; conveniences on this car include distinguishing factory alloy wheels, dual sideview mirrors, complete Veglia instrumentation, power four-wheel disc brakes, power windows; plus a radio, owner’s manual, engine compartment storage cover and air conditioning. A toolkit is found in the equally tidy front stowage area.

The Pantera encompasses the much loved Italian design with the ever reliable Ford drivetrain. Motor Trend reported that “the Pantera is a car for the man who values performance beyond all else because for this alone, he will get his money's worth above all the others.”