Love these cars so much i went and bought a project one in Oaklahoma USA - check the video out! th-cam.com/video/-3eCUufZzX4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p8r7YYF9UBt_iAkc
the ford Cleveland v8 is a canted valved,2.19inch intakee valve,V8 that waa designed for nascar. its not just a " ford v8". normally asperated BUILT versions reach over 600 hp.
The De Tomaso Pantera is a furiously fast car . It requires the qualities of a fighter jet pilot to drive : a sharp brain and concentration and an equal measure of sharp reflexes to handle !
A friend and fellow Pantera owner as well as 308 owner sent me this video, and what a joy it is to watch your excitement. I have owned my '72 Pantera for over 25 years, rarely drove it for the first 18 years due to so many issues, and finally decided I wanted to enjoy rather than resent driving it, and I put it through a 4 year restoration/ modification to make it a car I could drive without worry anytime I wanted to. My car is now everything I always hoped it would be, reliable, luxurious, powerful (over 500hp) and stunning to look at. The sound and the torque are the two most notable experiences when driving a Pantera especially one that has a massaged engine. The pulling power from even high speeds is exhilarating, and the roar coming from just behind your head is intoxicating. If you ever find yourself in Southern California and want to take mine out for a weekend, you're welcome to it. You'll not be disappointed. Your descriptions of the ride, the steering, the pedal box etc. are spot on, like you've been driving one for years. I do, however, like the original narrow bodied, small bumperette cars from 1971-early 1972 as they look so much sleeker and simpler. Tjaarda's brilliant design has aged very well for being a 52 year old concept. The offer's always open, let me know.
Just a shame you can't post a picture of your car Ted. There one of the most beautiful car's produced more so the wide bodied ones. Yup your truly pleased owning one Ted. But I dare say it costs a small fortune to keep it on the road like most exotic cars.
The fortune is spent making it luxurious, reliable, comfortable, and attractive. Now that it's done, there is no upkeep outside of an occasional oil change and the considerable amount of gasoline that it consumes. And fortunately, southern California is home to a number of Pantera parts vendors who are able to supply virtually every single part that a Pantera has. If you're ever out this way, give me a holler, you're welcome to take it out for a spin.
I can see your appreciation of Jack driving this beautiful car. I’ve always loved panteras. This one is is the nicest one I’ve ever seen. It is amazingly generous of you to invite him to drop by and take yours for a ride. If you want to offer to me that invitation, I’d absolutely love to experience driving a planters.
@@rickelpers1820 Dear Rick, Anytime you'd like to drive the Pantera, you're welcome to do so. Send me a private message whenever you'd like to do so, and I'll send you my contact information. I had it out at a car show this morning with 3 friends, all of whom have Panteras. And next Sunday morning about 5 minutes from my home is the Best of France and Italy car show where I would guess we'll see15-25 Panteras parked among dozens of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis and probably 800-1000 cars manufactured in Italy or France. Great show at Woodley Park in Van Nuys part of Los Angeles.
I will probably never drive that car, but the joy and enthusiasm you have while driving it, makes me feel as though I was driving it my self. Thank you.
@@shinyamaguchi7131 simple amswer, he wanted fun and reliable V8 power with aggressive torque. Where else to go...best engines ever made out there pal!
In 1973, on my first trip to Europe, I went to de Tomaso just to nose around, partly because there were no tours of Ferrari in English that day. I liked the look of the car and the Ford Cleveland 351 made a lot of sense in the US. Fast forward to 1975, and while in California for a ball game I stopped by the Pantera specialist in Huntingdon Beach. As soon as I drove up knew which one I wanted. When I asked the salesman for a test drive he got the keys to the white one, but when it wouldn’t start I asked to drive the 1973 French Blue example. It took less than five minutes to make a decision, and a week later I went back to pick it up. It wasn’t until years later that I realized I might have been there the day in 1973 when my car was produced! A lot of people have realized that fitting an American V8 lump into a foreign or exotic makes more sense than finicky, small displacement Euro motors . . .
Depends what you want from a car. American V8 have more torque but are huge and heavy so forget about top speed records. Still wont be a slow one since basically sport cars bodies and chasis are very trimmed when it comes to weight. however if you want top speed acceleration and sports performance you need a V12. There is difference from Engine to Engine when it comes to European engines. Porsche's 6 cyliner air cooled engine is far from finicky and its balanced well. American V8s are sometimes unnecessarily big and very impractical for racing due to that excessive weight. Sterring usually suffers a lot because of it. So if you want a car for drag racing- V8 is your pick. If you want the car to perform on a track you cant go with V8. The pantera is abysmall on the track. Espeically the original one. Overheating problems, Bad breaking and steering. So yeah
Always loved the Pantera and it’s still got ‘it’ today. It may be my age, as these were among ‘the’ cars when I grew up, but these do far more for me than the modern hypercars, which mostly just leave me cold.
I totally agree with you . The pantera was a car with soul and character . But the offerings that there are now from the mass manufacturers that we see so much on the roads are so depressingly soulless . Yuk ! !
I have never understood the snobbery regarding American pushrod V-8s. They are a joy to live with, reliable, offer outstanding flexibility, are capable of eye-watering output, and make a glorious signature sound. Those high-strung sewing machine engines just wear me out, after the initial giggle phase.
Agree with your comment but add that when pushed hard they drank fuel like a Sherman tank, I had a similar 351 V8 in a 1982 Ford Fairlane and managed to use 1.5tanks of fuel to cover 400kms driving flat out back 40yrs ago when you could get away with driving very fast.
@@darylwalford8697 oops, yeah I guess I conveniently forgot that "minor" foible. Over here, the common joke was "the only thing that car can't pass is a gas (petrol) station".
@@darylwalford8697 that's the size of a tank and I had one bigger it was a Lincoln it had a 400 big block but they make bigger engines like 455 it goes up and some engines are lighter because they use cnc aluminum block instead of cast iron and maybe iron sleeve so the fuel isn't the engine but the weight of the car
@@bobmcl2406 Not entirely true. You want to make power, you use fuel. A properly tuned and designed pushrod v8 is very hard to beat for weight, packaging and efficiency. This Cleveland was rated at 330 horse in a very easy tune. The v12 in the Daytona was 350-360. Stop and think about that for a minute - engines were contemporary. The motor in this video has been updated with aluminum aftermarket heads and a larger manifold. I wouldn't be surprised if it was pushing 400-425 horse.
Although that is the nicest looking GT5 I have ever seen, I still think the original Pantera was a thing of absolute beauty and elegance, especially with the thin chrome bumpers. Of course I feel the same way about the Countach. The original clean shape, free of doodads and geegaws is always my preference.
I loved watching this video because it brought back memories of my 74 Pantera GTS that I regretfully sold back in 2016. Such an awesome car. Every time I started it in my garage the whole neighbourhood hood used to hear it so I would push it out of my garage and let it roll down the hill, pop it into third gear and off i went. 🥺🥺🥺
Brilliant Jack! Really enjoy your obvious excitement at driving such a wonderful car. A recently departed & much missed older friend bought an 18 month old Pantera in 1973 in Kansas. Panteras were sold through Lincoln dealers, luxury end of Ford. He had the car until last year and sold it to another very close friend. It has just over 50K original miles and is close to the way it rolled out of the showroom 50 years ago. I’m lucky enough to have driven it; had it for a whole day and I had the same smile you showed us! Absolutely love the Pantera. Thanks again.
The Pantera was surely the best styled Italian/American "hybrid" of the 60s-70s. I was 10 when it came out and the early cars with the small chrome bumpers stuck in my mind as a timeless design.
For looks alone, you have to love it. Add in the low number produced (when do you ever see one on the road?) and a lovely torquey v8 and it’s irresistible! Those tail pipes…. So so cool.
That was fun, Jack! The wide-body cars are stunning to behold. A left hand drive GT5 nearly identical to the car you drove was for sale near me a few years ago, but the $85K USD was beyond my reach. Back in the early 1980s a friend was motorsports editor for a major newspaper and was active in the collector car scene. He told me he never knew anyone who kept a Pantera for more than six months due to the many reliability issues. He said the Pantera Owners Club of America documented a long list of fixes needed to make the car reasonably reliable. One day I was talking to a fellow who had a beautiful Jaguar Mark II 3.8. He had a Pantera previously, but traded it for the more reliable Jaguar. The last straw for him was the day he was driving it and saw black smoke coming from the back of the car. He stopped and pulled the door handle, it came off in his hand. He pushed the window switch and it fell out the back of the console. So he climbed over the console to escape thru the passenger door. Fortunately, it was only a small fire caused by failure of the rubber fuel line that ran above the exhaust manifold. Back in 1975 I bought a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Coupe from a fellow who had just purchased a Pantera. He gave me a ride and scared the hell out of me. He took a freeway cloverleaf on-ramp sideways then hit the freeway fishtailing! By the time the car was running straight we were well over 100 MPH. The sound and the torque were awesome.
@@gpr2264 Well, actually no. This dude spent all his automotive career in italy. The company is founded in Italy and its Italian company. Everything he learned about racing and cars was from Italy, including design etc. The Pantera is a typical Italian design from the early 70s. Like it or not, that's the truth
@@BuzzLOLOLMy 1st one had a sticker price of $11,200 and I paid $9k for it in 1974. And they got cheaper and Ford was selling them to their employees for real cheap because of the issues with rust and overheating.
That is probably the most beautiful DeTomaso Pantera I have ever seen (and I've seen a few)! What a paint job, and the color! I would like to correct you (somewhat) on the other Pantera video you did in the White car. The Ford Windsor is actually the ubiquitous small block and the Cleveland the rarer of the two. I'm not an expert, but when I was young (Baby Boomer) all the older fellas (uncles, friends, and neighbors) all some SOMETHING that is a big deal today, 60's Thunderbirds, Camero's, Firebirds, Chevelles, Challengers, Olds 442's, GTO's, Buick GS, Corvette, etc. And sometimes would spot something parked on the street that was unique like Opal GT, Lotus Europa, Lancia Beta, MGB-GT etc. Anyway the Ford Windsor 351 had same bore/stroke as the Cleveland, the difference being the heads. The Windsor having the standard OHV "I" heads (valves next to each other), whereas the Cleveland had the OHV canted or "Boss" valve configuration with larger intake valves and ports, and this is probably why DeTomaso chose the Cleveland - which was the more desirable engine for modifying in those days.
one of best looking ford pantera's i ever seen right hand drive ...351 cleaveland parts are cheap te looks of the car are timeless thank you for sharing a look at a classic
You're correct about the Countach having narrow front tyres - 225/50R15 was the widest on the front - but the Lamborghini also had 345/35-15 in the rear, which was (and still is) frankly ridiculous. But then, just about everything about the Countach was ridiculous - the styling, the sense of theatre, the feel of danger, and the lovely sound of that engine at full song. :-)
Great video. Watching you have fun and get excited is part of what makes your channel so special. Also learned interesting things about DeTomaso. Some videos on his Maserati years would also be interesting.
I had the honor of driving a Pantera to the car wash for my Mom's boss years ago; had to take care not to run over the car ahead. Exotic beauty and amazing torque. Left a lifelong memory!
I had the pleasure of painting one of these for a trader many years ago, it was an early car which had been blessed with the bodykit and spoilers (self tappers and gallons of filler) and enormous revolution wheels added. The lovely delicate bright work had been sandpapered and painted satin black with an aerosol. A real mess to sort out but it looked good in the end, and I took an ageing Maserati in part payment. Oh and of course I got to collect and deliver the Pantera, which was great fun. Happy days 🙂
Great video, good to see a reviewer actually excited about a car! Small point, I believe the later Panteras like the one in this video used Australian 351s as Ford US had stopped producing them years before. This Aussie connection is one of the reasons why the Pantera is my favourite car and would love to drive one.
Giacomo,standing ovation for you!!!! The Pantera is exactly the image of Alejandro De Tomaso. Exotic,excessive,extraordinary. A car with many faults,but with the necessary for a pilot,not for a driver:four wheels,a steering wheel and a powerful engine. I'll tell a story about Alejandro De Tomaso.When he arrived in Italy,he went to Modena,because he wanted to build cars there,like Ferrari and Maserati.He asked for the best hotel in town,and everybody told him was Canalgrande Hotel,So he went there and they gave him a beautiful room.In the Hotel's hall he could meet people involved in car racing and production,such as Maserati and Ferrari clients.After one month,the hotel director gave him the bill,but he had no money,so they throw him out. The first thing he did when he had money,was to buy the Canalgrande Hotel,where he lived for the rest of his life as the owner. This was the man who invented the Vallelunga (an Alfa 4c fifty years before),the Mangusta with her revolutionary chassis,the Pantera,the Benelli Sei (first bike with a 6 cylinder engine),the Mini Bertone with a 3 cylinder 1000 cc turbo,and the Maserati Biturbo. This was the man that put a gun on the desk when he had to discuss with the trade unions leaders. Bad character but pure petrolhead.And the Pantera is completely a De Tomaso.The wood trim and the air con controls are the same of the Biturbo,dials and buttons are spread everywhere,and oh,there is no room for the radio,but we can fit it vertically,and there is no room also fot the clock but we can put it in front of the passenger....Pure craftmanship.You wanted to be different?You could buy a Countach or a 512 BB; If it was not enaugh you could buy the Pantera. A car for football players and for guys belonging from papist noble families that were counts or marquis from 400 years. That is pure DeTomaso spirit. Grazie Giacomo.This car is a poem.
Thanks for the interesting comments Federico.. I was aware of the Canalgrande story and meant to mention it in the video but it didn’t make the cut! Saluti
This episode is great! I’ve seen the Pantera only on photos - I can’t believe you have been driving it…I am sure you will never forget this experience !
I purchased one of the first panteras sold in Atlanta, I have owned two of these beautiful cars, one red and the other yellow. I know personally it will do 167 mph, showroom stock. I love those cars, I could tell you so many Pantera stories
The American Imposter is right at the level of the Italian Supercars of the same Era! Thanks for sharing this Incredible Car with us, stay safe and stay healthy Jack!!
What an incredible car! The look on your face as you drove away...like a kid at Christmas. The back end deffo has the early Lambo countach look. You did this stunning car proud!
Around 2004 or 5, I went into work one day and one of my co-workers was all excited. He saw one on trailer and had a pic of it, and he asked if I knew what it was. It was kinda rough, but I told him it was a Pantera. He was younger than the car, but I grew up when you go with your father when he went to look at a Marquis or Colony Park Wagon and one of them would be sitting on the showroom floor. This got me to thinking, and I started seriously looking at buying one, and you could find non-runner rustbuckets for 10 grand, ratty driveable projects for 20, a hot rod (people really did that for a while) for about 30 and nice mint originals (including the Pre-L) in the 35 to 45 area. Dithered, home life changed, and the next thing you know a few years later, they're all in the high 5 for low 6 figures and completely out of my snack bracket. They really are the perfect supercar. Fast enough to scare the $#!+ out of you, fantastic styling that still looks good today, and a simple and cheap drivetrain that will run for years without bankrupting the owner.
Im not a car officianado, nor do enjoy watching videos about them. But my husband does, and I sit and watch with him. I thoroughly enjoy watching how much YOU enjoy these cars. The sheer joy on your face is just perfection.
As both a Pantera and a Ferrari 308 owner, nothing made me happier than seeing this video. I like to tell people the 308 is a scalpel, the Pantera a sledgehammer. Both mid engine 70s Italian sports cars... but very different at the same time.
As a lifelong multiple Porsche and now Maserati Granturismo owner / classic Ferrari & Pantera lover, I'd like to ask you this. Which specific 308 & Pantera do you own? Also, If you could choose only one of them to own and enjoy driving for the rest of your lifetime, which one would it be and why? Thanks in advance for your insight 👍
@@normsallitt2753 I think it would be the 308 (1978 GTS) just simply because I like to drive with the top off most of the time. Now if the Pantera (1974, a lot of upgrades) came with T-tops, maybe that's a different story, haha. My favorite thing about the Pantera is that there are no two alike, they've all been modified in some way, and that's welcomed and encouraged within that community... Ferrari, not so much.
A few things stacked against DeTomaso in '74/'75. At $10k and being sold in Lincoln dealerships, they were a difficult sell. In 1975, the US emissions regulations ramped up and the car would have needed more emissions crap to detune the car and pass EPA regulations. Also, in 1974 Ford stopped manufacturing the 351 Cleveland engine in the US, however, the engine was made late into the 1980's in Australia where most likely the post-'75 engines were sourced.
All sports/muscle/super cars suffered from things stacked against them in the 70’s and it continues to this day. So what you say just doesn’t just apply to Panteras. Nowadays Panteras are probably the most affordable cars of this type and totally repairable. You can buy every part of a Cleveland engine and the transmission, even brand new transmissions, panels, electrical etc. Now try that with a Ferrari, Lambo etc. 😉
@@hot429scj I have a 4 barrel Cleveland and its not as easy or cheep to keep on the road as a 351 windser or a Chevy 350 but I love the lump. Mine is 100% factory correct and mated to 4 speed top loader in my 71 mach, but if i wanted to mod it id be better building a windser there just more common and easyer and cheeper to build.
The Countach S had the world’s widest section & lowest-profile Rear Tyres, which were specifically designed by Pirelli just for the Lamborghini: 345/35VR15 Pirelli P7 Tyres sitting on 12-inch rims! Later versions of the Countach were shod with Pirelli P-Zero Tyres of the same spec but with a Higher Speed Rating. The Countach’s illustrious successor, the Lamborghini Diablo, “only” had 335-Section Rear Tyres.
Wonderful. The Pantera has always been one of my absolute favourite cars. I’d love to see a road test of the Mangusta, should you ever get the chance. Keep making the videos, Jack... and the Italian pronunciation is fine with me.
What a lovely looking and beautiful sounding car. No idea why but the Pantera brings back memories that don't actually understand. Will have to think on it more. Cheers Jack
Loved seeing your giddy excitement driving this, it has character by the bucket load. It's fun seeing you on roads I'm familiar with, and that Harry regularly uses, can relate to how the car handles those bends and dips.
I must insist from now on, that all Italians remove their accents whenever they say anything English, in English. No Giancarlo, it is not pronounced Astoni Marteen. 🤪
De Tomaso Pantera was the fastest car for a while in the 70’s and early 80’s if I’m not mistaken!! So it has a great pedigree! Beautiful car design!! 🙌🏻👍🏻
Yeah. Jack's comparison to the Dino is doing the Pantera a disservice. For me, especially with the wing etc, they have rarer Italian contemporaries than the Dino. And more reliable than something with a bull on the bonnet to boot!
@@michaelarchangel1163 7 litre Grifos went out of “regular” production (if they were ever in regular production by usual use of the word regular) before Pantera production got up to speed, so yes the Pantera may have been the fastest production car for a while. Unfortunately, Ferrari, Lamborghini and De Tomaso all exaggerated their engines power outputs in the 70s, so the truth may never be known!
@@neilturner6749 I've only ever seen one Grifo, an original bright yellow 5.7 litre model that was owned by a local businessman. I think it looked nicer, with its permanently on show twin headlamps, than the semi hooded ones of the subsequent larger engined one. I liked, and still like the notion of a stylish Italian car with a reliable and cheap to maintain American V8. Was the Pantera the only mid engined car ? AC's 428 and Monterverdi's offerings were nice as well, but both front engined, like the Grifos. Must have been a bit intimidating when going full pelt, with a big block lump up front !
@@neilturner6749 the 351 clevland v8 developed 330 hp in the boss 351 mustang. So I belive the hp of the pantera is correct. The regular 4 barrel ford 351 clevland v8 made between 260 hp and 320 hp depending on the year.
@ 15:25 In the mid-70s Federal safety and emission regulations became more and more stringent. For a few years low quantity imports were exempt but then the rules applied to everyone. Citroen also left the U.S. market at this time.
A childhood fantasy that has never gone away. The only time I passed one was on a tight corner in Hampshire. Tall country lane hedgerows blocked forward visibility, but there was a noise, a thumping vibrating cacophonous noise coming from the other side of the hedge… I slowed down. Suddenly, this wider than wide monster swept past me nearly unwinding every bolt on my embarrassingly inadequate Ford Escort. In a second it was gone, leaving me awestruck to have finally seen a late model 1980’s GT5-S - in all white obviously - thundering past. That Cleveland V8 was the God of all things volcanic, satanic and mind blowingly exotic. Add to that Tom Tjaarda’s magnificent design, which has aged beautifully, and you have my favorite supercar of all time.
What a great car. I've always lusted after a Pantera and this one is in the perfect colour for me. As an aside, that is a early, desirable and valuable registration number. I can't understand why the owner's mis-spaced it.
Fantastic video, Jack! Love your enthusiasm for that amazing car. The same people that say this isn’t an Italian Supercar because of its Ford engine would be the same people that would say then swear blind the new Emira is thoroughbred English.
Fantastic review, loved this, imagine this on the roads of europe with those looks while the rest of us were driving ford cortinas, morris marinas and the odd jag. Epic car.
I managed a tyre depot in the seventies, one of my customers obtained a Detomaso, I had to order the tyres from Goodyear USA. Took a few weeks, but a pleasure to have it in the depot for fitting.
Sure I’m not the first to say this, but that play around the straight ahead in the steering is mostly likely a rack that needs a refurb. Always loved a Pantera - you’re now in a very elite group of people who’ve actually had a chance to drive one!
My first memory of De Tomaso was a little Corgi or Dinky toys model of a Mangusta that I had. I believe it was red and white with stripes. I loved it. Sadly the closest to owning a real one. A great colour on that late Pantera you drove and it looked like it was a beast. I’m looking forward to the comparison with the early version.
Great car. In the mid-80s I worked with a Brit who had a ‘72 Pantera. The Ford 351 “Cleveland” V8 was legendary here in the US. When family issues forced him to move back to the UK he offered to sell it to me for less than $10K US. I had just bought my first 308 so I had to pass. Another fantastic classic drive video!
A proper super car in my view. Some 20 years or so ago I used to go to Stanford Hall Italian car day and there was a young guy there who had one of these in exactly the same colour spec. He totally restored it from ground up and I was struck by how young he was. Probably early/mid twenties. Wondering if this is his car
It was my friend Johnny Woods and he was there when I took my GT5. Johnny still has that same car and works full time restoring Panteras and Mangustas to a stunning standard
@@iannicholls5253 Fabulous news. After all these years it was THE one car that I remembered from those shows. I did have a chat with him and couldn't believe the quality of work for someone so young. The car was stunning. Quite envious. Great to hear he's still restoring. Probablly something I should have taken up really.
Loved the Pantera ever since I saw one as a kid in the 80s! It looked like a shark swimming through the traffic and that v8 rumble was very rare in Cape Town back then. That color is awesome!
I remember seeing my first Pantera in 1972 at a Lincoln/Mercury Dealership in Edmonton Alberta, Canada I was 5yrs old and I've been absolutely in love with the things ever since! Thanks for featuring one of my Hero's on the channel!! I've had the pleasure of driving a restored 1972 Pantera and it was a Fantastic car, low, powerful but yet not too daunting. I also have the build for them, I'm 6ft but with short legs and long gorilla style arms. I've heard people call them Sports Cars, GT Cars, Super Cars or Wannabe Cars even, I just call them Big Fun, and what more can you ask of any bit of machinery!?! Looking forward to the drive of the early Pantera!!!
Cool cars. I remember seeing one walking home from school in the mid 80s and lusting after it. Haven't seen one on the road since so guessing not many in the UK.
I used to see one every morning on my way to college back in the 80’s. It was black, not in fantastic condition but I fell in love!! That is my ultimate dream car! A fantastic Italian muscle car, stylish yet muscular, pretty yet brutish!! And the bloody noise!!! Wow still a rare thing to see now. Trump’s Ferrari and Lambo for me. Great video Jack 👍🏻👍🏻
With the addition of a American engine it means it will start on days that end in "Y" and you can expect to end most journeys under it's own power instead of that of the recovery vehicle.
@@gregfelix6979 Actually the engines used in the Pantera came from a suburb of Cleveland Ohio or Ontario Canada. Engines used in Australian market Ford vehicles were either imported from the United States or later, due to tariff costs, manufactured in Australia. The engines were conceived engineered and developed in the United States.
Had my 1972 Pantera as my daily driver for 8 years,never had problems,most fun car to drive. Sold it in 2004,looking back,biggest mistake was selling it. Everything I see or hear about one,breaks my heart not to have it still.
I love the Pantera! There is a silver one I've seen twice at Bicester Heritage. I assume the owner knows not to put icecream and wine in the boot/tray which is just above the engine.🤣
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Love these cars so much i went and bought a project one in Oaklahoma USA - check the video out! th-cam.com/video/-3eCUufZzX4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p8r7YYF9UBt_iAkc
the ford Cleveland v8 is a canted valved,2.19inch intakee valve,V8 that waa designed for nascar. its not just a " ford v8". normally asperated BUILT versions reach over 600 hp.
The Pantera is over 50yrs old yet it's still looks years ahead of it's time!
It still looks like it was built yesterday.
I love these.
When I was a kid, I had a De Tomaso Mangusta Matchbox car.
Gorgeous looking car! Still looks amaaazing!
Oh my god the 70s were already 50 years ago not 30 ☠️ I’m old
No it does not.
@@untitled795 It still looks better than 99.9% of all modern sport cars.
Jack, you did my GT5 proud and a great informative video as well. A thoroughly enjoyable Day, with a really proper Chap! 🏆
Ian!! So glad you liked the video and fab to meet you. Loved driving your GT5!
Chapeau sir, what a car.
Thanks for sharing Ian, What a joy 👏 and that colour 🍷
The exterior and interior colours are superb
You have a really terrific car there Ian 👍🏻
It is absolutely awesome to see someone get so excited about a car they are testing, brilliant.
Agreed. Wonderful video - thank you!
Yep, I’ll second that 🥳
Seeing him react to that car pretty much as I would made it even more enjoyable.. love your work Jack 👍🏽
The De Tomaso Pantera is a furiously fast car . It requires the qualities of a fighter jet pilot to drive : a sharp brain and concentration and an equal measure of sharp reflexes to handle !
Totally agree. This is definitely in my top 10 of favorite car videos on TH-cam - and I watched A LOT
Always had a lot of love for the Pantera. Italian looks with a bullet proof American V8. I'm jealous of your opportunity to drive it.
Agree, and the top in that kind of car would be a Bizzarini for me. Cheers from France.
@@strat0871 Bonjour👍
The Joke is ..... it is not an American built engine.... The engines were sourced from Australia.
@@adriaandeleeuw8339 some
The designer is from Argentina and the emblem is the Argentine flag, with the his wife's name, Isabel, on its colors.
A friend and fellow Pantera owner as well as 308 owner sent me this video, and what a joy it is to watch your excitement. I have owned my '72 Pantera for over 25 years, rarely drove it for the first 18 years due to so many issues, and finally decided I wanted to enjoy rather than resent driving it, and I put it through a 4 year restoration/ modification to make it a car I could drive without worry anytime I wanted to. My car is now everything I always hoped it would be, reliable, luxurious, powerful (over 500hp) and stunning to look at. The sound and the torque are the two most notable experiences when driving a Pantera especially one that has a massaged engine. The pulling power from even high speeds is exhilarating, and the roar coming from just behind your head is intoxicating. If you ever find yourself in Southern California and want to take mine out for a weekend, you're welcome to it. You'll not be disappointed. Your descriptions of the ride, the steering, the pedal box etc. are spot on, like you've been driving one for years. I do, however, like the original narrow bodied, small bumperette cars from 1971-early 1972 as they look so much sleeker and simpler. Tjaarda's brilliant design has aged very well for being a 52 year old concept. The offer's always open, let me know.
Wow Jack!! Did you read this???👆🏼
Just a shame you can't post a picture of your car Ted. There one of the most beautiful car's produced more so the wide bodied ones. Yup your truly pleased owning one Ted. But I dare say it costs a small fortune to keep it on the road like most exotic cars.
The fortune is spent making it luxurious, reliable, comfortable, and attractive. Now that it's done, there is no upkeep outside of an occasional oil change and the considerable amount of gasoline that it consumes. And fortunately, southern California is home to a number of Pantera parts vendors who are able to supply virtually every single part that a Pantera has. If you're ever out this way, give me a holler, you're welcome to take it out for a spin.
I can see your appreciation of Jack driving this beautiful car. I’ve always loved panteras. This one is is the nicest one I’ve ever seen.
It is amazingly generous of you to invite him to drop by and take yours for a ride. If you want to offer to me that invitation, I’d absolutely love to experience driving a planters.
@@rickelpers1820 Dear Rick,
Anytime you'd like to drive the Pantera, you're welcome to do so. Send me a private message whenever you'd like to do so, and I'll send you my contact information. I had it out at a car show this morning with 3 friends, all of whom have Panteras. And next Sunday morning about 5 minutes from my home is the Best of France and Italy car show where I would guess we'll see15-25 Panteras parked among dozens of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis and probably 800-1000 cars manufactured in Italy or France. Great show at Woodley Park in Van Nuys part of Los Angeles.
I will probably never drive that car, but the joy and enthusiasm you have while driving it, makes me feel as though I was driving it my self. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and for your kind comments!!
Exactly what I thought!
I've always believed that the Pantera is one of if the most beautiful super cars of all time. Thanks for sharing it.
Sorry But this is not a car,THIS IS ART
Never apologize for speaking the Truth!
Wats the story Pantera had to put American V8?
over 30 years old and still turning heads... and probably always will
@Jimmy Two Times even the Lamborghini Huracan is a reskinned R8 ..but Who Cares
@@shinyamaguchi7131 simple amswer, he wanted fun and reliable V8 power with aggressive torque. Where else to go...best engines ever made out there pal!
In 1973, on my first trip to Europe, I went to de Tomaso just to nose around, partly because there were no tours of Ferrari in English that day. I liked the look of the car and the Ford Cleveland 351 made a lot of sense in the US.
Fast forward to 1975, and while in California for a ball game I stopped by the Pantera specialist in Huntingdon Beach.
As soon as I drove up knew which one I wanted. When I asked the salesman for a test drive he got the keys to the white one, but when it wouldn’t start I asked to drive the 1973 French Blue example.
It took less than five minutes to make a decision, and a week later I went back to pick it up.
It wasn’t until years later that I realized I might have been there the day in 1973 when my car was produced!
A lot of people have realized that fitting an American V8 lump into a foreign or exotic makes more sense than finicky, small displacement Euro motors . . .
Depends what you want from a car. American V8 have more torque but are huge and heavy so forget about top speed records. Still wont be a slow one since basically sport cars bodies and chasis are very trimmed when it comes to weight.
however if you want top speed acceleration and sports performance you need a V12.
There is difference from Engine to Engine when it comes to European engines. Porsche's 6 cyliner air cooled engine is far from finicky and its balanced well.
American V8s are sometimes unnecessarily big and very impractical for racing due to that excessive weight. Sterring usually suffers a lot because of it.
So if you want a car for drag racing- V8 is your pick. If you want the car to perform on a track you cant go with V8.
The pantera is abysmall on the track. Espeically the original one. Overheating problems, Bad breaking and steering.
So yeah
Always loved the Pantera and it’s still got ‘it’ today. It may be my age, as these were among ‘the’ cars when I grew up, but these do far more for me than the modern hypercars, which mostly just leave me cold.
I totally agree with you . The pantera was a car with soul and character . But the offerings that there are now from the mass manufacturers that we see so much on the roads are so depressingly soulless . Yuk ! !
The 60’s cars were so nice. Especially the Italian works of art. The early 70s we’re still good looking but the mid late 70’s lost it.
Totally agree.
I have never understood the snobbery regarding American pushrod V-8s. They are a joy to live with, reliable, offer outstanding flexibility, are capable of eye-watering output, and make a glorious signature sound. Those high-strung sewing machine engines just wear me out, after the initial giggle phase.
Agree with your comment but add that when pushed hard they drank fuel like a Sherman tank, I had a similar 351 V8 in a 1982 Ford Fairlane and managed to use 1.5tanks of fuel to cover 400kms driving flat out back 40yrs ago when you could get away with driving very fast.
@@darylwalford8697 oops, yeah I guess I conveniently forgot that "minor" foible. Over here, the common joke was "the only thing that car can't pass is a gas (petrol) station".
@@darylwalford8697 that's the size of a tank and I had one bigger it was a Lincoln it had a 400 big block but they make bigger engines like 455 it goes up and some engines are lighter because they use cnc aluminum block instead of cast iron and maybe iron sleeve so the fuel isn't the engine but the weight of the car
@@bobmcl2406
Not entirely true. You want to make power, you use fuel. A properly tuned and designed pushrod v8 is very hard to beat for weight, packaging and efficiency.
This Cleveland was rated at 330 horse in a very easy tune. The v12 in the Daytona was 350-360. Stop and think about that for a minute - engines were contemporary.
The motor in this video has been updated with aluminum aftermarket heads and a larger manifold. I wouldn't be surprised if it was pushing 400-425 horse.
The Snobbery was because the American V-8 would outrun anything else on the road! Especially the Corvettes!
Although that is the nicest looking GT5 I have ever seen, I still think the original Pantera was a thing of absolute beauty and elegance, especially with the thin chrome bumpers. Of course I feel the same way about the Countach. The original clean shape, free of doodads and geegaws is always my preference.
Was going to add this on both the Pantera and the LP4000. Too much aerodynamic laundry hanging out to dry for my taste.
I loved watching this video because it brought back memories of my 74 Pantera GTS that I regretfully sold back in 2016. Such an awesome car. Every time I started it in my garage the whole neighbourhood hood used to hear it so I would push it out of my garage and let it roll down the hill, pop it into third gear and off i went. 🥺🥺🥺
Not sure I've seen you look quite this excited before, brilliant video, infectious enthusiasm! Thanks Jack 👍🏻
Brilliant Jack! Really enjoy your obvious excitement at driving such a wonderful car. A recently departed & much missed older friend bought an 18 month old Pantera in 1973 in Kansas. Panteras were sold through Lincoln dealers, luxury end of Ford. He had the car until last year and sold it to another very close friend. It has just over 50K original miles and is close to the way it rolled out of the showroom 50 years ago. I’m lucky enough to have driven it; had it for a whole day and I had the same smile you showed us! Absolutely love the Pantera.
Thanks again.
Wow, you just brought back a memory of someone I knew in Wichita ho tried to buy one in 72, but couldn't quite swing it. He ended up with a corvette.
The Pantera was surely the best styled Italian/American "hybrid" of the 60s-70s. I was 10 when it came out and the early cars with the small chrome bumpers stuck in my mind as a timeless design.
For looks alone, you have to love it. Add in the low number produced (when do you ever see one on the road?) and a lovely torquey v8 and it’s irresistible! Those tail pipes…. So so cool.
That was fun, Jack! The wide-body cars are stunning to behold. A left hand drive GT5 nearly identical to the car you drove was for sale near me a few years ago, but the $85K USD was beyond my reach.
Back in the early 1980s a friend was motorsports editor for a major newspaper and was active in the collector car scene. He told me he never knew anyone who kept a Pantera for more than six months due to the many reliability issues. He said the Pantera Owners Club of America documented a long list of fixes needed to make the car reasonably reliable.
One day I was talking to a fellow who had a beautiful Jaguar Mark II 3.8. He had a Pantera previously, but traded it for the more reliable Jaguar. The last straw for him was the day he was driving it and saw black smoke coming from the back of the car. He stopped and pulled the door handle, it came off in his hand. He pushed the window switch and it fell out the back of the console. So he climbed over the console to escape thru the passenger door. Fortunately, it was only a small fire caused by failure of the rubber fuel line that ran above the exhaust manifold.
Back in 1975 I bought a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Coupe from a fellow who had just purchased a Pantera. He gave me a ride and scared the hell out of me. He took a freeway cloverleaf on-ramp sideways then hit the freeway fishtailing! By the time the car was running straight we were well over 100 MPH. The sound and the torque were awesome.
Italian styling with American muscle, marriage made in heaven
Can't beat that!
y diseño Argentino, o de donde cree que es Alejandro deTomaso ?
@@danielmedina-sg2ehexacto, no quieren validar que es Argentino desde su concepción o diseño!!!!!!!!
It is an Argentinian design, dont forget!!!!!!!!!!.
@@gpr2264 Well, actually no. This dude spent all his automotive career in italy. The company is founded in Italy and its Italian company.
Everything he learned about racing and cars was from Italy, including design etc.
The Pantera is a typical Italian design from the early 70s.
Like it or not, that's the truth
Brilliant. The grin on your face the entire time says it all! From a '72 Pantera owner in Australia, thankyou for a great video!
Beats any modern day lambo and Ferrari, remember when they were for sale for around £25k, now beyond my means. Absolutely stunning.
They started at $10K in USA...
@@BuzzLOLOLMy 1st one had a sticker price of $11,200 and I paid $9k for it in 1974. And they got cheaper and Ford was selling them to their employees for real cheap because of the issues with rust and overheating.
@@transparentcourts6748 - rust and overheating are minor problems to an automotive engineer such as myself...
A little known fact... The de Tomaso Pantera uses the same ZF 5DS gearbox which was also used in the Ford GT40 and the Lancia Rally 037 😊
Everyone knows that.
@@martydeeks1891
I didn’t.
Tkns julian.
Love this type of content. The Pantera has always been a favourite of mine. Great video. More like this please.
That is probably the most beautiful DeTomaso Pantera I have ever seen (and I've seen a few)! What a paint job, and the color! I would like to correct you (somewhat) on the other Pantera video you did in the White car. The Ford Windsor is actually the ubiquitous small block and the Cleveland the rarer of the two. I'm not an expert, but when I was young (Baby Boomer) all the older fellas (uncles, friends, and neighbors) all some SOMETHING that is a big deal today, 60's Thunderbirds, Camero's, Firebirds, Chevelles, Challengers, Olds 442's, GTO's, Buick GS, Corvette, etc. And sometimes would spot something parked on the street that was unique like Opal GT, Lotus Europa, Lancia Beta, MGB-GT etc. Anyway the Ford Windsor 351 had same bore/stroke as the Cleveland, the difference being the heads. The Windsor having the standard OHV "I" heads (valves next to each other), whereas the Cleveland had the OHV canted or "Boss" valve configuration with larger intake valves and ports, and this is probably why DeTomaso chose the Cleveland - which was the more desirable engine for modifying in those days.
The name, the looks, the sound and that colour .....sublime
There was only 1 GTS in Singapore in the 70’s. I’ll never forget that “thunderous” sound and those crazy ANSA exhaust pipes.
one of best looking ford pantera's i ever seen right hand drive ...351 cleaveland parts are cheap te looks of the car are timeless thank you for sharing a look at a classic
You're correct about the Countach having narrow front tyres - 225/50R15 was the widest on the front - but the Lamborghini also had 345/35-15 in the rear, which was (and still is) frankly ridiculous. But then, just about everything about the Countach was ridiculous - the styling, the sense of theatre, the feel of danger, and the lovely sound of that engine at full song. :-)
And the lack of rear view prior to backup cameras.
@@adrianmonk4440And the side windows didn't roll down like any ordinary car either because of the structural support for them.
Looking forward to this one Jack. One of my hero cars growing up in the 70s.
Great video. Watching you have fun and get excited is part of what makes your channel so special. Also learned interesting things about DeTomaso. Some videos on his Maserati years would also be interesting.
I had a little Matchbox Pantera as a kid and I always loved the shape of it. It’s so good to know that they’re brilliant to drive as well.
I had the honor of driving a Pantera to the car wash for my Mom's boss years ago; had to take care not to run over the car ahead. Exotic beauty and amazing torque. Left a lifelong memory!
I had the pleasure of painting one of these for a trader many years ago, it was an early car which had been blessed with the bodykit and spoilers (self tappers and gallons of filler) and enormous revolution wheels added. The lovely delicate bright work had been sandpapered and painted satin black with an aerosol. A real mess to sort out but it looked good in the end, and I took an ageing Maserati in part payment. Oh and of course I got to collect and deliver the Pantera, which was great fun. Happy days 🙂
Great video, good to see a reviewer actually excited about a car! Small point, I believe the later Panteras like the one in this video used Australian 351s as Ford US had stopped producing them years before. This Aussie connection is one of the reasons why the Pantera is my favourite car and would love to drive one.
What a seriously good looking machine. Stunning.
Giacomo,standing ovation for you!!!! The Pantera is exactly the image of Alejandro De Tomaso. Exotic,excessive,extraordinary. A car with many faults,but with the necessary for a pilot,not for a driver:four wheels,a steering wheel and a powerful engine. I'll tell a story about Alejandro De Tomaso.When he arrived in Italy,he went to Modena,because he wanted to build cars there,like Ferrari and Maserati.He asked for the best hotel in town,and everybody told him was Canalgrande Hotel,So he went there and they gave him a beautiful room.In the Hotel's hall he could meet people involved in car racing and production,such as Maserati and Ferrari clients.After one month,the hotel director gave him the bill,but he had no money,so they throw him out. The first thing he did when he had money,was to buy the Canalgrande Hotel,where he lived for the rest of his life as the owner. This was the man who invented the Vallelunga (an Alfa 4c fifty years before),the Mangusta with her revolutionary chassis,the Pantera,the Benelli Sei (first bike with a 6 cylinder engine),the Mini Bertone with a 3 cylinder 1000 cc turbo,and the Maserati Biturbo. This was the man that put a gun on the desk when he had to discuss with the trade unions leaders. Bad character but pure petrolhead.And the Pantera is completely a De Tomaso.The wood trim and the air con controls are the same of the Biturbo,dials and buttons are spread everywhere,and oh,there is no room for the radio,but we can fit it vertically,and there is no room also fot the clock but we can put it in front of the passenger....Pure craftmanship.You wanted to be different?You could buy a Countach or a 512 BB; If it was not enaugh you could buy the Pantera. A car for football players and for guys belonging from papist noble families that were counts or marquis from 400 years. That is pure DeTomaso spirit. Grazie Giacomo.This car is a poem.
Thanks for the interesting comments Federico.. I was aware of the Canalgrande story and meant to mention it in the video but it didn’t make the cut! Saluti
Elvis had a DeTomaso Pantera that he loved which sadly outlived ‘The King’…
This episode is great! I’ve seen the Pantera only on photos - I can’t believe you have been driving it…I am sure you will never forget this experience !
Beautiful design that still looks modern today, especially in that colour!
I purchased one of the first panteras sold in Atlanta, I have owned two of these beautiful cars,
one red and the other yellow. I know personally it will do 167 mph, showroom stock.
I love those cars, I could tell you so many Pantera stories
The American Imposter is right at the level of the Italian Supercars of the same Era! Thanks for sharing this Incredible Car with us, stay safe and stay healthy Jack!!
Thanks Larry, take car chap!
What an incredible car! The look on your face as you drove away...like a kid at Christmas. The back end deffo has the early Lambo countach look. You did this stunning car proud!
Around 2004 or 5, I went into work one day and one of my co-workers was all excited. He saw one on trailer and had a pic of it, and he asked if I knew what it was. It was kinda rough, but I told him it was a Pantera. He was younger than the car, but I grew up when you go with your father when he went to look at a Marquis or Colony Park Wagon and one of them would be sitting on the showroom floor. This got me to thinking, and I started seriously looking at buying one, and you could find non-runner rustbuckets for 10 grand, ratty driveable projects for 20, a hot rod (people really did that for a while) for about 30 and nice mint originals (including the Pre-L) in the 35 to 45 area. Dithered, home life changed, and the next thing you know a few years later, they're all in the high 5 for low 6 figures and completely out of my snack bracket.
They really are the perfect supercar. Fast enough to scare the $#!+ out of you, fantastic styling that still looks good today, and a simple and cheap drivetrain that will run for years without bankrupting the owner.
Im not a car officianado, nor do enjoy watching videos about them. But my husband does, and I sit and watch with him. I thoroughly enjoy watching how much YOU enjoy these cars. The sheer joy on your face is just perfection.
As both a Pantera and a Ferrari 308 owner, nothing made me happier than seeing this video. I like to tell people the 308 is a scalpel, the Pantera a sledgehammer. Both mid engine 70s Italian sports cars... but very different at the same time.
As a lifelong multiple Porsche and now Maserati Granturismo owner / classic Ferrari & Pantera lover, I'd like to ask you this. Which specific 308 & Pantera do you own? Also, If you could choose only one of them to own and enjoy driving for the rest of your lifetime, which one would it be and why? Thanks in advance for your insight 👍
You've got a 308 & a Pantera? Yawn!
@@normsallitt2753 I think it would be the 308 (1978 GTS) just simply because I like to drive with the top off most of the time. Now if the Pantera (1974, a lot of upgrades) came with T-tops, maybe that's a different story, haha. My favorite thing about the Pantera is that there are no two alike, they've all been modified in some way, and that's welcomed and encouraged within that community... Ferrari, not so much.
A few things stacked against DeTomaso in '74/'75. At $10k and being sold in Lincoln dealerships, they were a difficult sell. In 1975, the US emissions regulations ramped up and the car would have needed more emissions crap to detune the car and pass EPA regulations. Also, in 1974 Ford stopped manufacturing the 351 Cleveland engine in the US, however, the engine was made late into the 1980's in Australia where most likely the post-'75 engines were sourced.
All sports/muscle/super cars suffered from things stacked against them in the 70’s and it continues to this day. So what you say just doesn’t just apply to Panteras. Nowadays Panteras are probably the most affordable cars of this type and totally repairable. You can buy every part of a Cleveland engine and the transmission, even brand new transmissions, panels, electrical etc. Now try that with a Ferrari, Lambo etc. 😉
@@hot429scj I have a 4 barrel Cleveland and its not as easy or cheep to keep on the road as a 351 windser or a Chevy 350 but I love the lump. Mine is 100% factory correct and mated to 4 speed top loader in my 71 mach, but if i wanted to mod it id be better building a windser there just more common and easyer and cheeper to build.
The Countach S had the world’s widest section & lowest-profile Rear Tyres, which were specifically designed by Pirelli just for the Lamborghini: 345/35VR15 Pirelli P7 Tyres sitting on 12-inch rims! Later versions of the Countach were shod with Pirelli P-Zero Tyres of the same spec but with a Higher Speed Rating.
The Countach’s illustrious successor, the Lamborghini Diablo, “only” had 335-Section Rear Tyres.
The Pantera always was and always will be pure badass.
Wonderful. The Pantera has always been one of my absolute favourite cars. I’d love to see a road test of the Mangusta, should you ever get the chance. Keep making the videos, Jack... and the Italian pronunciation is fine with me.
What a lovely looking and beautiful sounding car. No idea why but the Pantera brings back memories that don't actually understand. Will have to think on it more. Cheers Jack
Never seen Jack looking so happy than he is driving this de Tomaso Pantera.
Loved seeing your giddy excitement driving this, it has character by the bucket load. It's fun seeing you on roads I'm familiar with, and that Harry regularly uses, can relate to how the car handles those bends and dips.
I must insist from now on, that all Italians remove their accents whenever they say anything English, in English. No Giancarlo, it is not pronounced Astoni Marteen. 🤪
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And I want the Germans to pronounce G-Power the English way. Im way to insecure to tell strangers my bmw is tuned bij gay-power.
And get all the Brits and Americans to stop trying to pronounce Italian names...
De Tomaso Pantera was the fastest car for a while in the 70’s and early 80’s if I’m not mistaken!!
So it has a great pedigree! Beautiful car design!! 🙌🏻👍🏻
Yeah. Jack's comparison to the Dino is doing the Pantera a disservice. For me, especially with the wing etc, they have rarer Italian contemporaries than the Dino. And more reliable than something with a bull on the bonnet to boot!
What about the Iso Grifo 7 litre ? I recall they were supposed to do 186 MPH.
@@michaelarchangel1163 7 litre Grifos went out of “regular” production (if they were ever in regular production by usual use of the word regular) before Pantera production got up to speed, so yes the Pantera may have been the fastest production car for a while. Unfortunately, Ferrari, Lamborghini and De Tomaso all exaggerated their engines power outputs in the 70s, so the truth may never be known!
@@neilturner6749 I've only ever seen one Grifo, an original bright yellow 5.7 litre model that was owned by a local businessman. I think it looked nicer, with its permanently on show twin headlamps, than the semi hooded ones of the subsequent larger engined one. I liked, and still like the notion of a stylish Italian car with a reliable and cheap to maintain American V8. Was the Pantera the only mid engined car ? AC's 428 and Monterverdi's offerings were nice as well, but both front engined, like the Grifos. Must have been a bit intimidating when going full pelt, with a big block lump up front !
@@neilturner6749 the 351 clevland v8 developed 330 hp in the boss 351 mustang. So I belive the hp of the pantera is correct. The regular 4 barrel ford 351 clevland v8 made between 260 hp and 320 hp depending on the year.
I absolutely LOVE the Pantera! 😍
That's the best looking Pantera I've seen...by far. Plus it sounds great. Nice score on nabbing that one for a test ride Jack!
@ 15:25 In the mid-70s Federal safety and emission regulations became more and more stringent. For a few years low quantity imports were exempt but then the rules applied to everyone. Citroen also left the U.S. market at this time.
Jack I think your reviews are so uplifting. Keep up the good work and keep on making us smile.
A childhood fantasy that has never gone away. The only time I passed one was on a tight corner in Hampshire. Tall country lane hedgerows blocked forward visibility, but there was a noise, a thumping vibrating cacophonous noise coming from the other side of the hedge… I slowed down. Suddenly, this wider than wide monster swept past me nearly unwinding every bolt on my embarrassingly inadequate Ford Escort. In a second it was gone, leaving me awestruck to have finally seen a late model 1980’s GT5-S - in all white obviously - thundering past. That Cleveland V8 was the God of all things volcanic, satanic and mind blowingly exotic. Add to that Tom Tjaarda’s magnificent design, which has aged beautifully, and you have my favorite supercar of all time.
What a great car. I've always lusted after a Pantera and this one is in the perfect colour for me. As an aside, that is a early, desirable and valuable registration number. I can't understand why the owner's mis-spaced it.
I love the beautiful vine color on the Patntera GT5.
Fantastic video, Jack! Love your enthusiasm for that amazing car. The same people that say this isn’t an Italian Supercar because of its Ford engine would be the same people that would say then swear blind the new Emira is thoroughbred English.
Thanks for watching Richard!!
Fantastic review, loved this, imagine this on the roads of europe with those looks while the rest of us were driving ford cortinas, morris marinas and the odd jag. Epic car.
That is a fantastic looking car, an absolute classic super car IMO. Lovely to see you having so much fun Jack!
I happen to love the Italian accent and I’ve always loved those cars Jack just a shame I couldn’t fit in one being over 6ft4 great video mate 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I managed a tyre depot in the seventies, one of my customers obtained a Detomaso, I had to order the tyres from Goodyear USA. Took a few weeks, but a pleasure to have it in the depot for fitting.
Thanks for the memories!
Love the sound of a old fashioned V-8 starting up
Jack - your Italian pronunciation is a must when discussing Italian cars.
You were thrilled, Jack. That says a lot about the car. Great review as always
One of my boyhood dream cars only seen in magazines. Great to see it in action.
I'd love a Datsun Fairlady Z. Ironically, it has sleek, beautiful lines you don't see in many modern cars.
Sure I’m not the first to say this, but that play around the straight ahead in the steering is mostly likely a rack that needs a refurb. Always loved a Pantera - you’re now in a very elite group of people who’ve actually had a chance to drive one!
My first memory of De Tomaso was a little Corgi or Dinky toys model of a Mangusta that I had. I believe it was red and white with stripes. I loved it. Sadly the closest to owning a real one. A great colour on that late Pantera you drove and it looked like it was a beast. I’m looking forward to the comparison with the early version.
Great car. In the mid-80s I worked with a Brit who had a ‘72 Pantera. The Ford 351 “Cleveland” V8 was legendary here in the US. When family issues forced him to move back to the UK he offered to sell it to me for less than $10K US. I had just bought my first 308 so I had to pass. Another fantastic classic drive video!
“The one that got away”….
Lovely. I would prefer the earlier ones without the add-ons, but, it is in my top 10 dream cars!
I've just gotta smile at your excitement and enthusiasm Jack. Great video.
A proper super car in my view. Some 20 years or so ago I used to go to Stanford Hall Italian car day and there was a young guy there who had one of these in exactly the same colour spec. He totally restored it from ground up and I was struck by how young he was. Probably early/mid twenties. Wondering if this is his car
That was an earlier car on an old M plate, it also got featured in Auto Italia magazine.
It was my friend Johnny Woods and he was there when I took my GT5. Johnny still has that same car and works full time restoring Panteras and Mangustas to a stunning standard
@@iannicholls5253 Fabulous news. After all these years it was THE one car that I remembered from those shows. I did have a chat with him and couldn't believe the quality of work for someone so young. The car was stunning. Quite envious. Great to hear he's still restoring. Probablly something I should have taken up really.
There was a very nice early Pantera in white at Brands Hatch Italian festival last year, I wonder if Johnny restored that one?
@@johnchurch4705 if it had Gold wheels, the answer is yes 🙂
Loved the Pantera ever since I saw one as a kid in the 80s! It looked like a shark swimming through the traffic and that v8 rumble was very rare in Cape Town back then. That color is awesome!
I had driven my friend’s LHD in Vancouver back in the 90’s and it was amazing! BTW, Italian accent is beautiful!
Really prefer the pre - bodykit version and would rather have one of those over a Ferrari. Fabulous!
I remember seeing a poster of one in white & thinking, it's the most beautiful car I've ever seen. Even today, I love that shape
Always the car I gravitate to at car shows, more than Ferraris even. Just love the OTT nature, the stance, those fat tyres. Bloomin' fabulous!
I remember seeing my first Pantera in 1972 at a Lincoln/Mercury Dealership in Edmonton Alberta, Canada I was 5yrs old and I've been absolutely in love with the things ever since! Thanks for featuring one of my Hero's on the channel!! I've had the pleasure of driving a restored 1972 Pantera and it was a Fantastic car, low, powerful but yet not too daunting. I also have the build for them, I'm 6ft but with short legs and long gorilla style arms. I've heard people call them Sports Cars, GT Cars, Super Cars or Wannabe Cars even, I just call them Big Fun, and what more can you ask of any bit of machinery!?! Looking forward to the drive of the early Pantera!!!
Thanks!! Filming that next week!
Beautiful, I see it has Edelbrock Performer alluminium heads, I bet it's got a beefier cam in it too and will be making a comfortable 400+bhp now.
You are right…..and on a run I get 21mpg, which is pleasing on an Alpine trip!
Absolutely Top Notch GT5 ,Kiwi perfect old skool supercar, love it👌
Cool cars. I remember seeing one walking home from school in the mid 80s and lusting after it. Haven't seen one on the road since so guessing not many in the UK.
2) A Pantera brake upgrade is a essential. There are plenty of options and I had the AP Racing set up.
I used to see one every morning on my way to college back in the 80’s. It was black, not in fantastic condition but I fell in love!! That is my ultimate dream car! A fantastic Italian muscle car, stylish yet muscular, pretty yet brutish!! And the bloody noise!!! Wow still a rare thing to see now. Trump’s Ferrari and Lambo for me. Great video Jack 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for the memories Jim!!!
Brother, you get to play with some amazing cars. I had the poster of THIS CAR on my wall when I was growing up. Thanks for doing this one.
Been waiting for this since the teaser. Great job! I’d be excited too!
Not many cars put a huge smile on your face. Living the dream! Great stuff!
What a brilliant car , one that looks like it's doing 100mph when it's parked!! thanks for the great video , your excitement is contagious .
Nice drive, reminiscent of a route Harry Metcalfe might have chosen with all that Cotswold stone walling.
These are so under valued in the market. Amazing cars.
Fantastic car, great video - can’t wait for your take on the Mangusta!
Always felt the Pantera was very underrated. The looks of an Italian Supercar with the reliability of a Ford V8 that one can daily drive...
That car looks, sounds and goes so well. It’s fabulous. Great post.
With the addition of a American engine it means it will start on days that end in "Y" and you can expect to end most journeys under it's own power instead of that of the recovery vehicle.
It’s actually an Australian made engine… 👍
@@gregfelix6979 Actually the engines used in the Pantera came from a suburb of Cleveland Ohio or Ontario Canada.
Engines used in Australian market Ford vehicles were either imported from the United States or later, due to tariff costs, manufactured in Australia.
The engines were conceived engineered and developed in the United States.
Yes great engines as long as you live in an area where the gas stations are only 10 miles apart ha ha!
Nah, you see more German cars broken down than Italian to be fair.
@@thebarront9889 perfectly true but German cars outnumber Italian cars probably ten to one I guess..
Great post Jack , one of the best looking cars from 70-80’s
Really enjoyed the video Jack. The Pantera GT5, the Jensen Interceptor & the Countach are my 3 favourite cars of all time 🥰
Interceptor video coming soon!
Plus Jaguar XJ12 👍
Had my 1972 Pantera as my daily driver for 8 years,never had problems,most fun car to drive. Sold it in 2004,looking back,biggest mistake was selling it. Everything I see or hear about one,breaks my heart not to have it still.
Great stuff, long-loved this car, great to see it featured.
I love the Pantera! There is a silver one I've seen twice at Bicester Heritage. I assume the owner knows not to put icecream and wine in the boot/tray which is just above the engine.🤣