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Photo of a De Tomaso Pantera

De Tomaso Pantera

A mid-engine Ford V8 exotic sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers.12

Researched November 1, 2026 from 35 sources

Also called

  • poor man’s CountachAn old label for the Pantera; the GT5 was seen as a cheaper, easier-to-maintain alternative to the Lamborghini Countach.34
  • push-buttonThe earliest production cars took the name from their exterior door-release design.1

At a glance

0200400
244–355 hpPower
0510
5.1–5.5 s0–60 mph
0150300
233–280 km/hTop speed
0300600
407–515 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,417–1,580 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.238101213

Engine
5.8 L Cleveland/Windsor V8s; final Si: fuel-injected 4.9 L Ford 302 V82
Layout
Longitudinal mid-engine, rear-wheel drive5
Gearbox
ZF 5-speed manual; two Si Targas received Getrag 6-speeds210
Built at
De Tomaso factory, Modena, Italy211
Units built
Approximately 7,260 cars2

The story

Lee Iacocca's Ford wanted a Corvette-beating GT for Lincoln-Mercury. Ghia's Tom Tjaarda styled the Pantera, while Giampaolo Dallara developed its steel monocoque chassis around a mid-mounted Ford V8.156

1970: March debut for Tjaarda's Pantera19701974: Ford exits; the Pantera stays alive19741980: GT5 arrives at Turin19801981: Popular Mechanics comparison winner19811984: GT5S swaps fiberglass for steel19841990: Gandini's fuel-injected Si19901993: 41 Si cars, then the curtain falls1993 De Tomaso Vallelunga: 1964–1967De Tomaso Mangusta: 1967–1971De Tomaso Pantera (Tipo 874): 1971–1993Tipo 874 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12672425
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1964–1967De Tomaso Vallelunga
1967–1971De Tomaso Mangusta
1971–1993De Tomaso Pantera (Tipo 874)
1970March debut for Tjaarda's Pantera
1974Ford exits; the Pantera stays alive
1980GT5 arrives at Turin
1981Popular Mechanics comparison winner
1984GT5S swaps fiberglass for steel
1990Gandini's fuel-injected Si
199341 Si cars, then the curtain falls
  1. 1970

    March debut for Tjaarda's Pantera

    Tom Tjaarda's Ghia design appeared in Modena in March, then at the New York Motor Show weeks later.2

  2. 1974

    Ford exits; the Pantera stays alive

    Ford and De Tomaso split, but European production continued. The U.S. GTS added black paint and badges without Europe's higher-compression engine.125

  3. 1980

    GT5 arrives at Turin

    November's GT5 debut brought wide wheel arches, 13-inch-wide rear wheels, larger front brakes and reinforced suspension.7

  4. 1981

    Popular Mechanics comparison winner

    A GTS won Popular Mechanics' exotic comparison with Moss and Phil Hill testing, despite a 14.949-second quarter-mile.8

  5. 1984

    GT5S swaps fiberglass for steel

    November's Turin debut brought the GT5S. Car and Driver's GT5 test that year achieved 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds and 238 km/h flat out.49

  6. 1990

    Gandini's fuel-injected Si

    The Si debuted at Turin in April: Marcello Gandini bodywork, a fuel-injected 4.9 L Ford 302 engine and a new tubular rear subframe.210

  7. 1993

    41 Si cars, then the curtain falls

    Si production ended in late 1993 with 41 built and 38 sold to customers. Pavesi converted four to Targas; the final conversion followed in early 1994.10

Every generation

  • De Tomaso Vallelunga
    De Tomaso Vallelunga1964–1967
  • De Tomaso Mangusta
    De Tomaso Mangusta1967–1971
  • De Tomaso Pantera
    Tipo 8741971–1993
  • De Tomaso Guarà
    De Tomaso Guarà

Power over the years

From 310 hp to 350 hp in 9 years.

0100200300400 19701975198019851990 hp 1971 · 310 hp · 1971 Car and Driver rating1971 · 330 hp · 1971 launch Cleveland V81972 · 264 hp · U.S. Pantera L (net)1972 · 296 hp · U.S. model, 8.6:1 compression1972 · 345 hp · European GTS, 11.0:1 compression1980 · 350 hp · GT5, standard tune1984 · 310 hp · GT5, Car and Driver specification1984 · 350 hp · GT5S Cleveland1987 · 300 hp · GT5S Windsor1987 · 350 hp · GT5S Windsor Grand Sport1990 · 244 hp · 90 Si with catalytic converter1990 · 305 hp · Si, De Tomaso engine tune 350 hp GT5, standard tune 310 hp 1971 Car and Driver rating
247910121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19713101971 Car and Driver rating
19713301971 launch Cleveland V8
1972264U.S. Pantera L (net)
1972296U.S. model, 8.6:1 compression
1972345European GTS, 11.0:1 compression
1980350GT5, standard tune
1984310GT5, Car and Driver specification
1984350GT5S Cleveland
1987300GT5S Windsor
1987350GT5S Windsor Grand Sport
199024490 Si with catalytic converter
1990305Si, De Tomaso engine tune

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Pantera pre-L

    Standard

    Pantera pre-L

    1971–1972

    3,643 built

  • Pantera GTS (Europe)

    Performance

    Pantera GTS (Europe)

    1972–late 1980s

    345 hp
  • Pantera GT5

    Performance

    Pantera GT5

    1980–1988

    350 hp
  • Pantera GT5-S

    Performance

    Pantera GT5-S

    1984–1990

    350 hp
  • Pantera GTS (U.S.)

    Special

    Pantera GTS (U.S.)

    1974

  • Pantera 90 Si

    Special

    Pantera 90 Si

    1990–1993

    305 hp

    41 built

  • Pantera Group 3 (customer cars)

    Racing

    Pantera Group 3 (customer cars)

    1972–1984

    331 hp

    30 built

  • Pantera Group 4

    Racing

    Pantera Group 4

    1972

    470 hp

    14 built

  • Pantera GT4

    Racing

    Pantera GT4

    6 built

  • Limited

    Pantera Si Targa

    1993–1994

    4 built

  • Pantera II / 7x / Montella

    Special

    Pantera II / 7x / Montella

    1973

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • A low wedge nose conceals pop-up headlights.1
  • Decorative gills bridge the side glass and bodywork.8
  • The rear hatch has an open aperture with a black engine screen inside.8
  • Rear tires are conspicuously wider than the fronts.23

Year by year

  1. 1971

    Handbuilt Vignale bodies and push-button releases mark the first 75 U.S. imports; pre-L cars retain small bumpers.215

  2. 1973

    The instrument cluster changes from two separate pods to one unit with dials angled toward the driver.2

  3. 1990

    Si brings a new nose, rounder fenders, windshield-base aerofoil and broad rear wing; 17-inch Fondmetal wheels replace Campagnolos.1018

Don’t confuse it with

  • De Tomaso Mangusta

    The Mangusta's engine cover splits into two center-hinged gullwing panels; the Pantera's rear section tilts upward as one.1424

Against its rivals

  • Jensen Interceptor Mk1 (1967)

    Pantera vs Jensen Interceptor Mk1 (1967)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Pantera5.5 s
    Jensen Interceptor Mk1 (1967)7.3 s
    23

  • Pantera vs Iso Grifo GL300 (1968)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Pantera5.5 s
    Iso Grifo GL300 (1968)7.4 s
    23

Prices

Value today $68.0K–$136.0K30313233

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K 1990200020102020 Value today: $68,000–$136,000 1984 · $55,000 · US GT5, quoted price1984 · $58,500 · US GT5, as tested 2017 · $203,500 · 1974 L, 16,905 miles, selectively restored, Monterey2024 · $136,000 · 1987 GT5-S, 19k miles shown, BaT2025 · $68,000 · 1971 push-button, 79k km shown, BaT2025 · $92,000 · 1973, 14k miles shown; total mileage unknown, BaT2025 · $246,400 · 1974 L, 213 miles from new, Monterey2025 · $313,000 · 1991 90 Si, 18,763 km, Cleveland swap, Miami2026 · $71,000 · 1971, modified, rust repairs, 56k miles shown, BaT2026 · $132,000 · 1971 modified, 5,508 miles since 2020, BaT $313.0K Miami, 2025
92829303132333435
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1984Price when new$55,000US GT5, quoted price
1984Price when new$58,500US GT5, as tested
2017Auction sale$203,5001974 L, 16,905 miles, selectively restored, Monterey
2024Auction sale$136,0001987 GT5-S, 19k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$68,0001971 push-button, 79k km shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$92,0001973, 14k miles shown; total mileage unknown, BaT
2025Auction sale$246,4001974 L, 213 miles from new, Monterey
2025Auction sale$313,0001991 90 Si, 18,763 km, Cleveland swap, Miami
2026Auction sale$71,0001971, modified, rust repairs, 56k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$132,0001971 modified, 5,508 miles since 2020, BaT
2026Value today$68,000–$136,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “14 factory lightweights at 1,100 kg”
    • “302 km/h claimed for Le Mans”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 35 sources
  1. Buyer's Guide to the DeTomaso Pantera - Sports Car Market sportscarmarket.com
  2. De Tomaso Pantera - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. De Tomaso Pantera (1971-1992) review – the forgotten 1980s supercar | evo evo.co.uk
  4. De Tomaso Pantera GT5S Guide: — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  5. De Tomaso Automobili | Pantera detomaso-automobili.com
  6. The Making of the De Tomaso Pantera – by Gautam Sen – Australian Motor Heritage Foundation motorheritage.org.au
  7. De Tomaso Pantera GT5 Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  8. The 1971 de Tomaso Pantera Specifications panteraplace.com
  9. Tested: 1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5 caranddriver.com
  10. De Tomaso Pantera SI Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  11. 1972 De Tomaso Pantera - Pantera Perfection motortrend.com
  12. De Tomaso Pantera - The Affordable Supercar - An Essential Buying Guide silodrome.com
  13. De Tomaso Pantera L Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  14. DeTomaso Pantera Archived Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  15. Buying A Pantera panteraplace.com
  16. Pantera GTS — De Tomaso UK Drivers Club detomasodc.co.uk
  17. Pantera GT5-S — De Tomaso UK Drivers Club detomasodc.co.uk
  18. De Tomaso Pantera Si - Secret Classics secret-classics.com
  19. La De Tomaso Pantera che correva in pista - L'Automobile lautomobile.aci.it
  20. 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Group 4 | Paris 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  21. 1972 DeTomaso Pantera Group 4 - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  22. Home • 1973 De Tomaso Pantera 7x • Automotive Masterpieces automotivemasterpieces.com
  23. De Tomaso Pantera vs Iso Grifo vs Jensen Interceptor –  hybrid heaven - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  24. De Tomaso Mangusta - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. De Tomaso Vallelunga - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  26. Update Details (1.13) - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  27. Pantera PPI Resources – PCNC panteraclubnorcal.net
  28. 1974 De Tomaso Pantera L by Ghia | Monterey 2017 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  29. Four-Decades-Owned 1971 DeTomaso Pantera for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $71,000 on September 11, 2026 (Lot #262,786) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. Euro 1971 DeTomaso Pantera for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $66,000 on September 1, 2025 (Lot #207,965) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1987 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $136,000 on June 3, 2024 (Lot #148,784) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1974 De Tomaso Pantera L by Ghia | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  33. 1991 De Tomaso Pantera 90 Si | Miami 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  34. 44-Years-Owned 1971 DeTomaso Pantera for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $132,000 on September 4, 2026 (Lot #261,402) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 22-Years-Owned 1973 DeTomaso Pantera for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $92,000 on July 7, 2025 (Lot #199,380) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • sportscarmarket.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • evo.co.uk
  • supercarnostalgia.com
  • detomaso-automobili.com
  • motorheritage.org.au
  • panteraplace.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • motortrend.com
  • silodrome.com
  • detomasodc.co.uk
  • secret-classics.com
  • lautomobile.aci.it
  • rmsothebys.com

Photo credits

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