Was the Pantera a good car?
The De Tomaso Pantera, an Italian-American sports car produced from 1971 to 1992, has long been a topic of debate among car enthusiasts. Known for its striking design and powerful performance, the Pantera was a unique blend of Italian styling and American muscle. But was it truly a good car? Let’s dive into its history, strengths, and weaknesses to find out.
The Appeal of the Pantera
The Pantera was introduced as a collaboration between De Tomaso, an Italian car manufacturer, and Ford Motor Company. It was designed to compete with European sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini, but at a more affordable price point. Here are some of the key features that made the Pantera stand out:
- Design: The Pantera was styled by Italian designer Tom Tjaarda, featuring sharp, angular lines and a low-slung profile that turned heads wherever it went.
- Performance: Powered by a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine, the Pantera delivered impressive performance with around 330 horsepower, capable of reaching 0-60 mph in under six seconds.
- Affordability: Compared to its European rivals, the Pantera was relatively affordable, thanks to its use of a mass-produced American engine.
Strengths of the Pantera
The Pantera had several strengths that made it a desirable car for enthusiasts:
- Powerful Engine: The Ford V8 engine was not only powerful but also easy to maintain and modify, making it a favorite among gearheads.
- Exotic Looks: Its Italian design gave it an exotic appearance that rivaled much more expensive cars.
- Driving Experience: The Pantera offered a thrilling driving experience, with a mid-engine layout that provided excellent balance and handling.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its strengths, the Pantera was not without its flaws. Some of the most common criticisms included:
- Build Quality: Early models of the Pantera were plagued by quality control issues, including rust problems and poorly finished interiors.
- Cooling Issues: The car was notorious for overheating, especially in hot climates, due to an underperforming cooling system.
- Refinement: Compared to its European competitors, the Pantera lacked the refinement and sophistication that buyers expected from a high-performance sports car.
Legacy of the Pantera
Despite its flaws, the Pantera has earned a cult following over the years. Its combination of Italian design and American muscle has made it a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts. Today, well-maintained Panteras are highly sought after, with values steadily increasing in the classic car market.
In conclusion, the Pantera was a good car for those who appreciated its unique blend of style and performance, but it required patience and dedication to address its shortcomings. For many, the Pantera’s charm outweighed its flaws, cementing its place as an iconic sports car of its era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are panteras so expensive?
The Italian supercar's design history spans three continents. But critically, its mechanical backbone comes from the stockpiles of Detroit. The wide availability of American parts is a big driver of the De Tomaso Pantera price. The De Tomaso Pantera draws modern-day collectors.
What year did Pantera become popular?
1989–1991: Cowboys from Hell and mainstream breakthrough
The Abbott brothers refocused their attention on Pantera, and in 1989 they were given their first shot at commercial success.
How much did a Pantera cost new?
Weight distribution was predictably biased toward the rear, 150 mph was not out of the question, and the car came with amenities like air conditioning, which American buyers demanded. Early production issues plagued the $10,000 Pantera, with fit and finish leaving much to be desired.
How fast was the Pantera car?
Specifications
| Model | Pantera | Pantera GTS |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 330 hp | 350 hp |
| Torque | 325 lbft | 362 lbft |
| Weight | 1413 kg | 1488 kg |
| Top speed | 159 mph** | 174 mph (c) |
Is the Pantera a good car?
The original Pantera was known for good looks, strong performance, reasonable price, miserable seats, perpetual overheating, insidious rust, underengineered wheel bearings, lily-livered U-joints, bad steering and suspension geometry, etc., etc. The new Pantera retains the wild looks and the big performance.
What made Pantera so popular?
Their fifth album (which the band has since declared to be their official debut album), 1990's Cowboys from Hell, popularized the groove metal genre, while its 1992 follow-up Vulgar Display of Power achieved an even heavier sound and increased their popularity.
How much did the Ford Pantera cost originally?
about $10,000
Early production issues plagued the Pantera, with fit and finish leaving much to be desired. After three years, fewer than 6000 had been sold—at a base price of about $10,000 ($73,000 today). Ford pulled the plug.
What was the best year for the Pantera?
The "L" model featured many factory upgrades and updates that fixed most of the problems and issues the earlier cars experienced. It was so improved that the 1973 DeTomaso Pantera was Road Test Magazine's Import car of the year beating offerings from Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
How long did Pantera last?
| Pantera | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1981–2003 2022–present |
| Labels | Metal Magic Atco Rhino East West Elektra |
| Spinoffs | Down Damageplan Hellyeah Superjoint Rebel Meets Rebel |
| Members | Rex Brown Phil Anselmo |
What is a 1974 Pantera worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $81,300 for a 1974 DeTomaso Pantera L in good condition with average spec.
