“Questions During the Auction? Use the ‘Comments” section OR Contact Seller privately with the button in the ‘CCC Vital Info’ box.”

1974 DeTomaso Pantera L Gated 5-Speed Manual

Here we have a 1974 DeTomaso Pantera L with gated 5-Speed Manual which – Ontario buyers, please note – will be delivered to its new owner with an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate.  The Pantera is finished in silver with blue stripes over black upholstery and powered by its original 351 Cleveland mated to a ZF five-speed manual transaxle.  These Ford engines were OEM and installed by De Tomaso as the cars were sold in North America through Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury dealerships from model year 1972 – 1975.  Features include chromed 17″ multi-piece deep-dish wheels with DeTomaso centre caps, power four-wheel disc brakes, coilovers front and rear (installed 2021), a Holley 4-barrel carburetor rated at 650 CFM, Ford Racing valve covers, Ford Racing oil cap, air conditioning, as well as an Alpine CD stereo with Bluetooth and Pioneer speakers. The car was acquired by the seller’s late husband from a previous owner out of Maryland in 2006, the previous Maryland title comes with the car.  At the time, the car was shipped to a Pantera specialist in California for an overhaul focusing on bringing it to fine cosmetic condition.

Work since 2021 has consisted of installing a flush-mount windshield (supplied by the same California shop as performed the 2006 overhaul), tie rods, sending unit, bushing sway bar mounts, front ball joints, rear ball joints, bushings, shifter, coil over shocks, spark plugs, voltage regulator, carburetor service as well as a front end and brake inspection.  Work orders for all of this work are included in the gallery.  Compression test results are included below, also set  out in the gallery.  This Pantera comes with select service records from the current owner’s custodianship as in the gallery and was treated to a full engine rebuild ten years back.

The bodywork was styled by Ghia under the direction of American designer Tom Tjaarda. The car was refinished in silver with GTS body kit under previous ownership, circa early 2000s. The blue stripes were recently installed.  Fibreglass bumper covers are equipped – with integrated splitter up front, windshield wipers have been removed and can be re-installed.  Features include driver’s and passenger’s side mirrors capped in black, pop-up headlamps, a fuel filler door integrated into the body strakes aft of the rear side windows, and four exhaust outlets.  There is light surface corrosion in specific confined areas of the undercarriage.  Paint blemishes are shown in the gallery.  A close look at our gallery shows mirror glass missing on the driver’s side mirror, seller has procured a replacement and it will be installed before the new owner picks up the car.

The 17″ deep-dish polished wheels wear DeTomaso-branded centre caps and are mounted with Michelin Pilot Sport tires measuring P255/40 up front and P335/35 aft of the cabin, they are Y-rated at all four corners. Front and rear coilovers and bushings were installed in 2021. Braking is handled by power-assisted discs at all four corners.

The cabin features front bucket seats upholstered in black vinyl accompanied by a colour-matched dashboard, door panels, and carpets. Equipment includes air conditioning, electric windows, DeTomaso-branded floor mats, three-point seat belts, a gated shifter, LeCarra four-spoke steering wheel, an Alpine CD stereo with Bluetooth, a clock within the head unit and aftermarket speakers.  A Sparco five-point harness is in place for the driver, in addition to the stock three-point harness.  When not in use, it easily stows behind the driver’s seat.  Heater is functional, air conditioning has not been tested.  A split is noted in a seam of the driver’s seat.

The LeCarra wheel is backed by an 8000 RPM tachometer with 5800 RPM red line and a 200-mph speedometer. Gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, voltage, and oil pressure are located in the centre stack. The five-digit odometer shows 25,000 miles, approximately 6,000 miles higher than shown on a 2009 appraisal on the gallery. Total mileage is unknown.

The mid-mounted 351 Cleveland V8 was rated at 325 HP when new, with 344 lb.-ft. of torque.  Period times for 0-60 were in the 7.6 second range with the quarter mile achieved in 15.6 seconds.  Ford Racing valve covers and Ford Racing oil cap are an aftermarket nod to the heritage of this Pantera.  Power is sent to the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed manual transaxle.  Aft of the differential is found a visible-from-the-rear plate with DeTomaso branding.

This 1974 DeTomaso Pantera L Gated 5-Speed Manual is available from the seller, who is representing the longtime owner’s widow, with two keys, service records and some small parts in Toronto, Ontario.

Compression Test Results, test performed June 7, 2023, and set out in the gallery:
Cylinder 1- 160 PSI
Cylinder 2- 165 PSI
Cylinder 3 – 165 PSI
Cylinder 4 – 160 PSI
Cylinder 5 – 158 PSI
Cylinder 6 – 160 PSI
Cylinder 7 – 160 PSI
Cylinder 8 – 158 PSI

More videos and Photo Gallery appear below the bidding section. 

COMMENTS