The 1973 De Tomaso Pantera is an iconic mid-engine sports car celebrated as the ultimate "hybrid" mashup of exotic Italian design and raw American muscle power. Styled by legendary designer Tom Tjaarda at the Italian design house Ghia, the vehicle was backed by Ford Motor Company and sold directly through American Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.
The 1973 model year marked a significant evolutionary point for the Pantera due to shifting United States federal regulations and market demands:
- The "L" Model Introduction: To enhance safety and everyday usability, De Tomaso introduced the Pantera L (Lusso / Luxury). This version traded the sleek, split front bumpers of the 1971--1972 models for a prominent, federally mandated black 5 mph impact bumper.
- Engine Performance: Power came from a mid-mounted 351-cubic-inch (5.7L) Ford Cleveland V8 engine, mated to a 5-speed ZF manual transaxle. However, tightening emissions regulations forced lower compression ratios, dipping factory ratings to around 266 horsepower.
- Interior Revisions: The dashboard layout was overhauled. The early dual-pod gauge design was replaced with a unified dashboard pod angled directly toward the driver for better ergonomics.
- Standard Conveniences: Unlike many high-strung European supercars of the era, the Pantera offered luxury comforts like standard power window and factory air conditioning (though the AC was notoriously weak with only two central vents).
This all original Pantera was owned by the previous owner for 40 years and has just 23,000 miles. It has been a part of the Duncan Imports collection since 2022.
