1973 DeTomaso Pantera L Restored Over Six Years to Be Sold

A 1973 DeTomaso Pantera L that underwent a six-year refurbishment is being offered for sale, with a rebuilt 351ci Ford Cleveland V8, a five-speed ZF manual transaxle, and a claimed restoration cost of more than $54,000. The car, chassis THPNMY04566, was built in October 1972 as an “L” model and released in July 1973 for delivery to Carlisle Motors of Clearwater, Florida.

The Pantera’s bodywork was designed under the direction of American designer Tom Tjaarda. Updates for the “L” models in mid-1972 included larger black rubber bumpers and revised cooling vents. This example was stripped and underwent rust repair and metalwork from 2012 to 2013 before being repainted yellow at Panteras by Wilkinson of Paramount, California, in 2014. The black rubber bumpers were replaced with earlier-style chrome bumperettes, and various exterior trim pieces were powder-coated gloss black during the project. Further details include pop-up headlights, bright window trim, and quad exhaust outlets. The car is not equipped with side mirrors, though an uninstalled set with carbon-fibre housings is included in the sale.

The engine, a 351ci Ford Cleveland V8, was hot tanked and magnafluxed before being bored.030″ over as part of a rebuild completed by Van Gordon Racing of Upland, California, in June 2016. One cylinder was sleeved, the torque plate was bored and honed, the crankshaft was ground and heat-treated, and the rotating assembly was balanced. The overbored engine is fitted with an Edelbrock aluminium intake manifold and cylinder heads, a Holley 770-CFM Street Avenger carburettor, a Comp Cams custom hydraulic roller camshaft, SRP pistons, and Eagle Specialty Products H-beam connecting rods. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed manual transaxle.

The car rides on 17″ multi-piece aluminium wheels mounted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres measuring 225/45 up front and 335/35 out back. The four-wheel independent suspension was disassembled and various components were powder-coated as part of the overhaul, and the power-assisted disc brakes were also serviced. Cooling is from a Fluidyne radiator fitted with dual SPAL electric puller fans connected via Hall Pantera stainless-steel coolant piping.

Inside, black vinyl-trimmed bucket seats are paired with Crow Safety Gear cam-lock harnesses. The car retains air conditioning and power windows, and a stereo and speakers have been removed. The clutch pedal mechanism was refurbished in 2013, the car was rewired in 2014, and Dynamat sound deadening material was installed in 2016. The split-spoke Lecarra steering wheel is paired with a dogleg-pattern gated shifter and fronts a Veglia 200-mph speedometer and 8k-rpm tachometer along with auxiliary gauges for amperage, fuel level, water temperature, and oil pressure stationed in the centre stack. The five-digit odometer shows 62,000 miles, approximately 200 of which were added under current ownership.

Acquired by the current owner in 2019, the Pantera is now offered by the seller on their behalf with a Deluxe Marti Report, build records and photos, and Connecticut registration listing the car as a 1972 model. The Deluxe Marti Report shows a build date of June 1973 for chassis THPNMY04566 and lists the car as a 1973 model. A four-page summary of the build from the seller is viewable alongside over 100 pages of accompanying documents, and over 100 photos taken at various stages of the build process are presented. The door jamb chassis tag and body number plate have been replaced, and the removed units are included in the sale. The vehicle is being sold on its Connecticut registration, which serves as an ownership document in the state and lists “Antique” under the Registered Usage section.

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Edward Beaumont

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Edward Beaumont covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Nobel. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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