How much did the Ford Pantera cost originally?
The Pantera—often referred to as the Ford Pantera due to its Ford-sourced V8 under the mid‑engine layout—was a landmark Italian‑American sports car produced by De Tomaso. This article breaks down the car’s original price at launch and how that figure fits into its era.
In the United States, the De Tomaso Pantera debuted in 1971 with a sticker price around $9,000. Prices varied slightly by year and options, but the $9,000 ballpark is the figure most often cited. In today’s dollars, that would be roughly $60,000 to $70,000, depending on the inflation measure used.
Background and naming
The Pantera was designed by Tom Tjaarda and built by De Tomaso in Italy, using a Ford V8 for power. Although some collectors and enthusiasts call it the Ford Pantera, the car’s official brand is De Tomaso Pantera, with Ford contributing the engine and certain components. The model’s price at launch reflected its niche status as a high-performance, mid‑engine sports car rather than a mass‑market vehicle.
Original price at launch
Before the price details, it helps to know the context: the Pantera was marketed as a premium performance car with a European chassis and a large-displacement American V8. The figure most often cited for its debut price is the following:
- Original US price (approximate): about $9,000 in 1971.
- Inflation-adjusted equivalent: roughly $60,000–$70,000 in today’s dollars.
Prices could vary by year and by the options chosen, but the $9,000 starting point remained the commonly referenced baseline for the Pantera's launch period. This pricing placed the Pantera in a competitive position relative to other exotic sportscars of the era, while underscoring its distinctly American‑powered performance blend.
Factors that influenced the sticker price
Several elements could nudge the price beyond the base figure, including optional equipment, trim levels, and regional import costs. The car’s performance hardware, interior fittings, and the evolving market during the 1970s also played a role in how much buyers ultimately paid.
Summary
At its debut, the Pantera carried an original price of about $9,000 in the United States, a figure that has echoed through collector lore for decades. Adjusted for inflation, that translates to roughly $60,000–$70,000 in modern dollars, depending on the method used. The price reflected a premium, high-performance niche offering that blended Italian design with American V8 power, setting the Pantera apart in a competitive sports car landscape.
Notes for readers
Prices cited here reflect the launch-era sticker in the U.S. market. International pricing, taxes, and import duties could shift the final amount elsewhere. For collectors today, the Pantera’s value is influenced more by condition, originality (especially the engine and drivetrain), and provenance than by its original sticker alone.
Conclusion
The Ford (De Tomaso) Pantera began life with a modestly high price for its time, around $9,000 in 1971, illustrating its status as a niche, high-performance machine rather than a mass-market sports car. Its legacy today rests on its distinctive combination of European styling and American V8 power, rather than on a low price tag.
