Was the Pantera a good car?
The Pantera was a high-performance sports car produced by the Italian automaker De Tomaso from 1971 to 1993. While the Pantera had a distinctive design and impressive performance capabilities, its overall quality and reliability have been the subject of debate among automotive enthusiasts and experts.
Design and Performance
The Pantera was designed by the renowned Italian designer Tom Tjaarda and featured a mid-engine layout with a powerful Ford V8 engine. The car's sleek, wedge-shaped body and distinctive gull-wing doors gave it a striking and exotic appearance. In terms of performance, the Pantera was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and reaching top speeds of over 160 mph, making it a formidable sports car for its time.
Quality and Reliability Concerns
Despite its impressive performance, the Pantera was plagued by quality and reliability issues throughout its production run. Many owners reported problems with the car's electrical systems, suspension, and overall build quality. The Pantera's complex design and the use of some Ford components, which were not always well-integrated, contributed to these reliability concerns.
Legacy and Collectability
While the Pantera's quality and reliability issues have been well-documented, the car has nonetheless developed a cult following among enthusiasts. Its distinctive design, impressive performance, and association with the De Tomaso brand have made the Pantera a highly collectible car in recent years. However, the car's ongoing maintenance and repair challenges have limited its appeal to a more casual car buyer.
In conclusion, the Pantera was a unique and exciting sports car that offered impressive performance, but it was also plagued by quality and reliability issues that have shaped its legacy. While the Pantera has become a sought-after collector's item, its ongoing maintenance and repair requirements make it a challenging ownership experience for many enthusiasts.
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 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 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) |
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
