In recent years, the DeTomaso Pantera has become a superstar in the world of supercars. It was never ignored, but since its debut in 1971, it was relegated to a fate of being compared to fully Italian supercars. The presence of an American V8 and the implied impurity, (along with some build and heat issues), impacted the values and desirability for the hybridized Italian-American sports car. Well, no longer, in the past 30 years, it seems to have grown into everyone’s favorite car and values reflect the demand. There is no doubt, it is unique, fast, exotic, and oddly patriotic.
For consignment, 1 of the 138 purported cars built between 1985 and 1989 with integrated steel fender flares and a steel chin spoiler and 1 of about 40 Pantera GT5-S’s in the United States after being imported by renowned Stoeffer in Florida. A molded front spoiler, black split bumpers, and steel body-widening fender flares set the GT5-S apart from the regular Pantera, improving on the already impressive design of Ghia’s Tom Tjaarda. This car has been meticulously maintained during the 22 years of our consignor’s ownership and includes numerous upgrades or new items including air conditioning, power windows, and an AM/FM/CD radio and everything else being either new or rebuilt. It has a title verified 59,656 actual miles and is setting our main showroom on fire! Our consignor notes that the original wheels and brake set up can be included for an extra cost.
Exterior
As if not loud and animated in shape alone, the red paint pulls every ray of the sun into this car and lights it up, even before you fire it up. Every bit of black on the car including vents, wings, mirrors, and trim look just a little bit blacker against the red backdrop. Few cars have the presence of a red GT5-S; even a Countach would have a hard time competing with this car in the Eye Candy Olympics. The stunning wide fenders give a mean looking car and even angrier disposition and by angry, we mean fast. The diminutive door handles are flush mounted and are similar in design to other Italian greats such as Lancia. The back of the car is the stuff of boyhood dreams. The flying buttresses leading to a Lamborghini Countach wing, the wide-set taillights, four upturned tailpipes, exposed polished suspension components, and those massive, massive rear tires. The wheels here are custom made 17-inch Billet replicas of Pantera wheels, surrounded by newer tires. From ten feet, the car is flawless, but our sleuth photographer was able to locate some imperfections. We note numerous incidents of chips in the black paint of the window trim, some paint drips in various locations, scrapes of the chin spoiler, various paint chips, cracking, and some fiberglass damage near the decklid.
Interior
Earlier Panteras were relatively sparse and black, but this car greets you with cushioned Saddle leather that starts on the door where it is heavily pleated, as if they had too much material to work with. A laminated burl wood rail runs through the door panel as contrast. The pillowy leather bucket seats would make the Stay-Puft marshmallow man envious, more luxurious than performance oriented. We note just a bit of wear on the seat side where frictional ingress would take its toll. The hinge and seat hardware are polished and robust. More padded leather covers the wall behind the seats where the seat belt anchor bar is situated. The triple spoke Momo steering wheel contains the DeTomaso logo on the center cap and it also appears on top of the shifter, in the gauges, and on the carpeted floor mats. Veglia Borletti gauges are black faced with light green numbers all fitted in a sculpted piece of glossy laminated burlwood which in turn is surrounded by saddle and black leather. Bravissimo! More gauges in the same surrounding are found in the center stack which also contains numerous toggle switches. Nearby, we find the heater and AC controls. The engraved plate around the console mounted shifter includes the gear locations. From there, the console extends higher to provide an armrest along with some storage. The low pile back carpet is in good condition, and we note speakers in the footwell area. The headliner is covered in smooth black leather and looks fantastico!
Drivetrain
The heart of the beast is a rebuilt 8,000 mile ago circa 1972 351ci Cleveland V8 with ported and polished Australian heads. A Holley 950cfm 4-barrel carburetor sits on top of the Edelbrock high rise performer intake to feed the copious amounts of air and fuel to the mill. The factory rating, or should we say underrating, was 345 horsepower. The engine is sparked by an MSD distributor and power is transferred to the nearby rear wheels via a ZF 5-speed transaxle with a CenterForce clutch. GTS tubular headers route the exhaust rearward where it hits two GTS ANSO mufflers then out four chrome tips in short order. Our consignor notes dual electric radiator fans, an 8-quart oil pan, and an engine oil cooler. NASCAR spec power disc brakes by Wilwood are found at each of the four wheels.
Undercarriage
Exotic by any standard, the tubular frame has two main supports that stretch down the middle of the car flanking tubing that runs the length from the front of the car. The boxed frame may have kissed the asphalt a few times as evidenced in the back. The chrome rear sway bar is exposed to followers in this car’s “butt up” posture and a DeTomaso dress up plate gives them something to read. Everything is clean and dry underneath. Our consignor notes that the suspension is new, adjustable, and from a Ferrari. Tow hooks are rather crudely welded to the front of the frame including one that appears to be a piece of bent rebar. It’s the only thing underneath the car with surface rust.
Drive-Ability
The speedometer goes to 200mph and while we don’t have the initiative or room to test that, just a short jaunt around our test loop leads us to believe that this car is entirely capable of those speeds and maybe more. We were warned, “Be aware that you are an active partner in the driving of this car.”. This is not putting your Town Car into drive while you have one arm out the window and a finger on the wheel. This is nothing more than a race car disguised, (and not very well), as a pedestrian car. Needless to say, acceleration is insane, and handling is pretty good too. Two minor flaws were noted, the horn doesn’t work and the front tires will rub at full steering lock during low speed maneuvering. The consignor removed the windshield wipers because they flutter at speeds over 100mph.
If a Pantera has been on your wishlist, and you’re in the fortunate position to be able to purchase one, here’s a rare opportunity to pick up GT5-S. There seems to be no slowing in the investment prospects of Panteras and prices have gone up every year. But buy it because you love it and if this car doesn’t stir something in you, check your pulse. We await your call. Ciao.
THPNDU09399
T-Detomaso
H-Modena, Italy Assy Plant
PN-Pantera
D-1986
U-February Build
09399-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that’s more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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