1971 | De Tomaso Pantera L

This early ‘narrow body’, flat deck Pre-L model De Tomaso Pantera was built in late 1971 and is a matching numbers cars still retains its factory fitted Cleveland ‘351 HO V8 engine that was capable of an impressive 170mph in 1971. This incredibly usable, superbly aged example has been local to us in the Malton area for the past two years and has been driven on a regular basis. During the two years of ownership, the De Tomaso has been improved and superbly maintained with £9500 of expenditure with a local Porsche specialist. Work has included braking system maintenance, removal of the engine and gearbox for detailing, various new gaskets, new clutch, slave cylinder, new water pump, new exhaust system, and various ancillary powder coating. The Pantera has also had a brand new headlining fitted with our trim shop Malton Coachworks. The recent owner has maintained the car with no expense spared and its arrived absolutely on the button.

Going back to the car's early life, it was supplied new in Italy before being imported into the USA in 1972, delivered to the state of Oregon. The De Tomaso was owned by an Oregon based Doctor and the car stayed in the same US State for its entire time in the US. By the late 1990's, the long term owner passed away and the De Tomaso was put into dry storage. The Estate sold the car in 2012, and at this point the De Tomaso was imported into the UK.

On arrival in the UK, the car was fully inspected, found to be rust free and then re-commissioned over a 12 month period by a classic car restoration specialist in Bedfordshire. The Pantera stayed with the same UK based owner until 2020 and whilst used sparingly, it was well maintained with an upgraded cooling system/fan upgrade, carburettor overhaul, new shocks and springs, suspension bushes and ball joints. Brakes were also overhauled with new calipers and a set of factory correct Michelin XWX tyres fitted.

Still finished its original colour of Spring Orange (Arancione a Molla), the De Tomaso is a very original looking car with a delightful patina. This is a very nicely aged, usable car, it feels genuine and very honest, and has a lovely sharp body and excellent underside. The interior is similar, it's very well presented and feels ‘right'. This clearly has never been a car left to deteriorate, its strong, sound, and on the road still offering ferocious performance from its reported 360BHP engine. BVM 228K is quick, sounds fantastic and is brilliant fun with its fit, powerful and loud engine, enjoyable, smooth gear changes and impressive exhaust note. All the electrics work, the car feels very well sorted and offers the opportunity to own a true supercar icon at very sensible cost. It's a car to jump in, and have some real fun.....