1972 De Tomaso Pantera: The Company Car Of Our V8 Dreams

This week join us as we take a ride in Gary Corcoran’s prized De Tomaso Pantera along the mountain roads overlooking Los Angeles.
Back in 1980, Gary was a recent college graduate who just had landed his first professional job. The company’s employees were offered a $250 automobile allowance as a perk after three years of employment-and that presented some opportunities for a young enthusiast. Subsidized rides are a nice benefit to anyone, but especially so for people like Gary.
“I looked at a number of Corvettes, and I always loved exotic cars and looked at 246 Dinos,” Gary adds, “I actually came across [the Pantera] at a Ferrari dealership in Newport Beach while driving along Pacific Coast Highway.” Taken aback by the hard-edged and aggressive lines of the then-unknown car; he had to get a closer look to figure out who’d made the thing that caught his eye, and he promptly educated himself on the merits of the Pantera soon afterward.
Having built a few American muscle cars back in high school, the Pantera’s Ford-derived 351 Cleveland V8 and ZF gearbox meant Gary could handle maintaining the otherwise exotic mid-engine sports car with ease, and he hasn’t looked back since, stating, “Although I paid the same price-about $20,000-that I could have spent on a 246 Dino, I’ve never regretted the decision, and today the Pantera enjoys a great increase in value and appreciation no matter where I go.”
Gary enjoyed his beloved car for years, but as we know, life manages to get in the way sometimes. If wanting fun cars is a disease, then marriage, kids, and career were the vaccines that kept Gary from succumbing to the plans he’d laid out for the Pantera. That’s a dramatic way to put it though, and eventually (after 20 years of ownership and a few thoughts of selling along the way) Gary was able to get some work done to his hibernating Pantera.
It began innocently enough. Gary brought his car to Don Byars at Full Throttle Panteras for some fresh paint and a few mechanical odds and ends, but that doesn’t seem to be Don's style, so a full ground-up restoration resulted in the stunning red example shown here. Finally able to thoroughly enjoy-and share this enjoyment with his two lucky sons-this machine, Don knows it was worth waiting for.
“It’s really a joy to drive, not as a daily driver, but as a weekend toy it’s hard to beat the Pantera for the looks, the sound, and the handling,” explains Gary, “When I’m gone from this earth, I hope that my sons will continue to enjoy the car as much as I have and that it’ll stay in the family forever.
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@zkljaja]

Whoah...huge smile on my face when he said he let his kids druve it to school and on dates...legend

[@MrGaryGG48]

The father may have been thinking, his son and "that girl" can't get into too much trouble inside that little car... outside the car, all bets are off! ;^)

[@spankyy101]

Did anybody else absolutely love the part where he explains how he almost sold it, but the clarity of how it would affect his sons hit him and he walked away? feels right there

[@cartiologyfilms2271]

Daniel Ferdman Dario Urbanstructure Thank you for the kind comment. I'm glad everyone liked the film. I made sure that part of the film came through clearly. It touched me too. I want to thank my friend Gary Corcoran for letting me film his Pantera, Petrolicious for greenlighting the project and my crew guys Chuck Pappas and Sean for their great work. Regards Alec Cartio. (Director and producer)

[@spankyy101]

CARTIOLOGY FILMS great work! Resonated with me very deeply.

[@cartiologyfilms2271]

Daniel Ferdman thank you! Looking forward to making new films soon. Stay tuned here. www.cartiologyfilms.com

[@kunstmol]

My dad sold our E type. Hard to forgive....

[@leloodallasmultipass]

my dad sold his ford granada station wagon. I haven't spoken to him since.

[@Shitbox_connoisseur]

"The car is meant to be driven, not just admired"

[@FlymanMS]

Speaking of filthy rich people who has hundreds of vintage cars in their garage and don't even drive them, just keeping them waiting to get more value.

[@scootosan]

Your Immature jealousy is showing. Get out of your Mothers basement get a job or two (that means work long and hard) and save your money then you to can keep cars stored away.

[@Shitbox_connoisseur]

scootosan What are you on about?

[@That_NJ_guy]

that one guy you can do both just never say "it can't be driven."

[@dbehr27]

Flyman was giving this owner credit, though that wasn't articulated very well.

[@cartiologyfilms2271]

Thank you everyone for the kind comments. I'm glad everyone liked the film. I want to thank my friend Gary Corcoran for letting me film his Pantera, Petrolicious for greenlighting the project and my crew guys Chuck Pappas and Sean for their great work. Regards Alec Cartio (Director/Producer)

[@kapilchhabria1727]

Thank you for this video. Where is the music for this video from?

[@gmain1977]

Great video well done

[@jordiperez2519]

Last minute is one of the most beautiful minutes I've seen in this channel.

[@F1fan007]

Absolutely stunning video!! I saw a Pantera for the first time in 1972 in a small town in Arkansas when I was 14. It came roaring around the corner next to our house and I was hooked. It was owned by a chiropractor and I watched for it everyday hoping to see and hear it. This video is awesome and packed with emotion. I’ve watched it at least 10 times and will watch it again. And again. Love the car, love the story and love the film!

[@geemanbmw]

​@@F1fan007awesome

[@kennethj1956]

In summer 1971 I found myself with my Dad at the Lincoln/Mercury/Jaguar dealership in Ventura Ca. staring at this Yellow Exotic in the showroom........You see; Dad was shopping for a new ride!........ I gushed " Hey, Dad how 'bout this one??!!" (Dreaming about pulling into the High School Parking lot with Italian exotic....) Dad: "Naw it's too flashy and loud; plus they don't come with an Automatic." Dad buys the metallic gold Lincoln Continental Mark III.............Dad: "It's 'sporty' because it is a two door." I died a little that summer.

[@edwinters8288]

Haha, thanks Dad

[@lomate1963]

Mr. Johnson don't you just love Your dads free sprint ☺️

[@vg666]

my dad has a honda crv...

[@Dethmeister]

71 Lincoln Continental is cool though. I really like the older ones with the rear suicide doors.

[@kennethj1956]

They are cool today; but they were 'Old man' cars back then.

[@pelper1]

This guy is the best dad a car guy could hand hands down

[@jasquer]

Just saw a stunning red '71 or '72 Pantera when somebody in a facebook group spotted it in traffic and posted the photo. I was amazed! First thought was, WOW, that is exactly what a supercar should look like! Then I heard the engine roar and I was completely sold. One day I'm going to drive one of these, definitely in this bodywork, no wings and no nonsense.

[@arborinfelix]

I really love people who love cars like this gentleman.

[@davidcoleman4800]

When I was growing up my Dad had a Pantera. Riding in it for the two-hour drive from San Diego to Los Angeles is one of my fondest memories with my dad. It was like having a rocket ship in the garage. Girls at school would ask me about it all the time. One drawback to the car though... as a kid I could be at home goofing off late at night when I would hear my dad coming home from 1/3 of a mile away. I could clean up what I was doing, wash the dishes like I was supposed to, and be in bed before he got out of the car in the driveway. :-P

[@dimitristripakis7364]

I like what he said in the end that "I hope the car stays in my family forever".

[@allans7281]

Simply put: your car is stunning!! Modern exotic cars don’t even come close to how these classic exotic masterpieces feel

[@EliteRock]

DeTomaso Pantera - the best name a car ever had.

[@piratepete-thetruthisforevery1]

This man is an awesome guy, not just because he owns and he did a great job restoring this beautiful car but because he put his sons in his future plans for the Pantera. This video/story pulled at my heart strings. Thank you 👍🏼

[@brendaadriano]

One Son OK. 2 Sons Much Trouble. Because ,You Can't Share This Car. I am Sorry . This My Belief. This Car is Likes Sharing Your Wife. This Guy is a Great Human and has a good Idea. But the Plan won't work.

[@robertmileskemp]

Love this guy. Respect to you on many levels. They will enjoy it. You are a legend!!!

[@clairebannister4749]

One of the most fantastic rear ends ever.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

THE MOST PERIOD ;)

[@aphexteknol]

The Pantera is still my favorite car of all time... Someday......maybe......

[@MindDezign]

Hall pantera used to make parts and a fiberglass kit car that woukd be the way to go.20 years ago not many knew about the Pantera. Now the prices let you know " they know!"

[@ilcommendatore4752]

I thank you Sir.. for letting your kids drive that beauty...You marked them for life👏👏👏

[@the_katman2181]

What a car, and what a nice guy. Lucky sons.

[@frankfrankenstein5933]

One of the most beautiful cars ever designed! One of my all time favorite!👍🇺🇸

[@adambenini1022]

I’ve watched this video probably 12 times since I bought my Pantera resto project over the summer. This is my dream car since I found out my father had one new back in the day. I bought one for what I could afford (needs a lot of work but I’ll take what I can get) and surprised him at his house with it. Currently we are restoring it together.

[@pmgmarketing2691]

What a beautiful piece of machinery!

[@taylorpatterson1234]

Just the name "Pantera" brings back memories of posters of this car on my wall next to Farrah Fawcett. Love that car Gary!!!

[@noompunk]

Sad that they don't do this kind of American-Italian collaboration anymore.

[@PepeRoldan1961]

Only thing close is FlyinMiata, LS engine in a Fiat 124 would be a satisfying Italian-Japanese-American collaboration.

[@mediastarguest]

Enzo Ferrari looked down on those "collaborations". They were his opponents in sports car racng and F1. He called them 'kit car' manufacturers.

[@PepeRoldan1961]

Even the base Hemi would be awesome, but it's considerably taller than the LS, not sure it'll fit. I'll take a closer look in a few years when Fiat's depreciate some more if I'm still liking the idea. Another musing I would like to see would be to drop a big inch V8 in a Maserati GranTurismo, as used prices continue to plummet and wary buyers avoid the problematic automated manual transmission - a modern day Iso?

[@arjuhama]

Charlie M. That's what you think. lol

[@DeerKoden]

For FCA, it doesn't make sense, unless Fiat ever plans to make a limited series sport car that could use the Hemi. But still...even Alfa Romeo used Ferrari engines, and the old Dino used them aswell back in the 70's. They just dont need to get overseas.

[@klasseact6663]

Real car guy, real story and real enthusiast!

[@HenryPerez_royal_hp]

The pride, the emotion and the feels that come through Petro's video's are just completely unmatched. I always ALWAYS like before watching, never disappointing!

[@nordimejia5790]

I love how clean the engine comparment looks.

[@reagandekock1811]

Most underrated YT channel

[@zguy95135]

He let his teenage sons use it, what a champ! The Pantera is one of my all time favorites, it's so beautiful...

[@matth4638]

Love this man and his attitude, his love of this car as not an asset, to be traded, but something he truly enjoys diminishes my pain from the fact don't own one! ; )

[@AlreadyDeadInside83079]

Everyone talks about winning the lottery or having a substantial net worth through hard work and buying their first Lamborghini or Ferrari or Bentley. My first 3 cars in order are a 429 Boss Mustang...John Wick's spec..., A Pantera or Mangusta, and then a GT40. The Pantera is the PERFECT blend of Italian styling and American Muscle. This one is particularly gorgeous in this color.

[@jjs777fzr]

I could listen to this guy talk about the car for hours. Need a video with his sons and their perspective growing up with that car in the family. Thx for sharing. I loved the piece where he was drawn to the car because it had a 351C and he used to work on Mustangs.

[@marc-anthonymurray1289]

What a fantastically clean Pantera. Damn.

[@cartiologyfilms2271]

Marc-Anthony Murray Dario Urbanstructure Thank you for the kind comment. I'm glad everyone liked the film. I want to thank my friend Gary Corcoran for letting me film his Pantera, Petrolicious for greenlighting the project and my crew guys Chuck Pappas and Sean for their great work. Regards Alec Cartio.

[@user-yr9hp5sv9t]

Lovely car and video.My father had an ISO Rivolta when I was a kid,wish he kept it...

[@kidsoxoxox]

Incredible car, fantastic owner's story, and even better film, but that soundtrack,, new age Chill? love to know.

[@GeneralLee1961.3]

American V8 into an Italian beauty ❤️🇺🇸🇮🇹❤️🇺🇸🇮🇹

[@flashy5150]

It does have an unmistakable sound. When I was young, there was a guy that used to drive up my street every day, at the same time, I wondered what that car was. Then finally I got up and looked out my window, and it was a 1972 Pantera, white with black along the bottom. I was car crazy like today and when I saw it, I started going out on my porch at that same time , every day, and it has been my favorite car ever since. I have built scale models of this car, have diecast models, but I'm still dreaming of owning and upgrading a 1972 Pantera -- I LOVE THE EARLY ONES.

[@matthewshambler2644]

Great car.. great story.. great job Petrolicious! A reliable engine and transmission with Italian styling, winning combination!

[@Branti33]

I worked on Pantera's at a Lincoln-Mercury Dealer back in the early 1980's in Michigan. Loved driving them! A friend in High School owned a Yellow 1972. I was hooked then even though I drove a 1970 Mustang Sportback with a 425 hp 351 Cleveland 4V Heads which were the best flowing, same as the Pantera and Boss 302's used. Good Times!

[@Sprocketboy1956]

A really nice video about one of my favourite cars. Financially, Mr. Corcoran would have been a lot further ahead with the 246 Dino but the Pantera probably would have provided more reliable driving fun. That said, Panteras were not well constructed and it took a while to work the bugs out, something that should have been done before the car was deemed suitable for selling at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. In the ensuing years, owners have really improved the car (as this one did) and I still think that the US-European hybrids (Iso, Intermeccanica, Jensen, etc.) were very cool. Too bad nobody is doing something similar today but regulations have made market entry nearly impossible for small firms. RIP Wiesmann...

[@ionacjohnj.59]

“Stay with the family forever.” That is awesome! 👍

[@chasone]

A backstory and car noises. Win, win!! Inspiring stuff.

[@dillydean]

Never heard of this car in my life. But wow!!! She is beautiful!!!

[@beefcake97]

Both the story and the video itself is so eye wateringly beatuiful.. I cannot express with words how much I love the passion you create these videos with.. I just.. I cannot say anything else but.. Thank you Petrolicious!

[@davidhocevar8510]

that intro was the best i have seen so far... garage door opening is a perfection and also the music...

[@RemcovanR]

Finally!! The DeTomaso Pantera is my alltime dreamcar. Thanks Gary, for sharing this beauty with the world.

[@davalex7100]

When I think about an oldtimer I would buy if I could, I think about De Tomaso and always come watching this video. The sound of the car if wonderful as well as the opening song, which really gives an ambiance to this video. Great work!

[@redsuns1986]

love the car and the soundtrack to this video! thanks!!!

[@Svetlin19]

One of the best videos I've ever seen ! Great work,very informative and inspiring !

[@aserta]

Whilst i always liked the Pantera for its stunning good looks, my heart still stays with the Mangusta. Granpa had one and with it are many memories. Sadly the car was wrecked in an accident, the last time he ever drove, and was unrecoverable, Grandma was too fearful to ever let him drive again. One day i'll resurrect it. I'm holding on to the Talbot mirror as a reminder and promise to my future self.

[@geraldfordman7474]

I fell in love with this car the day I was cruising in my Triumph GT-6. I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw this beautiful , sleek, and exotic car gaining on me like a bat out of hell. He slowed down and pulled up along side of me ( I was doing about 70mph). I looked in awe at the him and gestured no thanks. My GT-6 is fast but not that fast. Realizing I wasn't about to challenge him, he took off as if I were standing still and soon vanished. I remember seeing FORD decals all over it and said to myself, FORD is tops. Little did I know it was a FORD/Italian hybrid. Only FORD could produce a super-car like that for the average Joe. Only $19,000 where you'd have to pay more than 10 times that amount for a Ferrari or a Lambo. I still love this car even though it only puts out 330 BHP.

[@wurstgewehr]

Beautiful car, beautiful story, beautiful story. Keep it up!

[@Cosminbad]

Wow.. Perfect story, perfect car, perfect video. RESPECT

[@jmormando]

Love it! At idle these beasts sound like the drum intro of Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher!"

[@HT__00]

Great car glad he kept it for his sons and restored it’s a beautiful and very rare car, cool guy.

[@nabin9768]

The best sounding engine I've heard. And I've heard lots.

[@Sl1f3rDrag0n]

The sound of the Pantera is something else

[@sqd8r]

One of your best. Thank you.

[@Pstaines439]

Gary, you're a legend! Lovely story, thanks for sharing (from New Zealand).

[@aleoimpala]

Wow, always love those Pantera and what a beautiful sound, intoxicating...

[@elmoomle4565]

very nice resto on a gorgeous vehicle. those lines! especially the front 3/4 view...wow!

[@kent847]

I loved the look of this car you guys do great with this filming.

[@SpoolinShirley]

Pure classic with RPG proof 351 Cleveland V8 and ZF gearbox. Stunning design and great story

[@lucasgusi]

Simply wonderful. Love the Panteras

[@WavetoWaveBoats]

One of my all time favorites. Such an interesting combination of design.

[@bravofoxable]

Great production! Great story, amazing man with a stunning car. Just perfect. Love that he DRIVES it and take such good care of it, Pantera's are now precious gems

[@martynj-c4965]

Beautiful car! Have loved the Pantera since i was 10 and still am hopefully praying to own one. 😍

[@ocantor_bc]

What a stunning car! I can't say it enough, it's just gorgeous!

[@scc6609]

what a man! the love of cars can bring out the best in people

[@mohdwahidirosni]

Another great story as always from Petrolicious about a great car. Thanks for all the effort!

[@jd-py5nm]

remember seeing one of these for the first time a decade ago at my first italian car show great car

[@utopian2222]

I remember when I was 17 that was 35 years ago, I was walking along a UK road on the pavement and I heard this rumble noise in my ear from behind thinking it was a low level helicopter, this was followed by the feeling of bodily vibrations, then as in slow in motion as I looked over my right shoulder she the 'DeTomaso' appeared and subsequently passed me doing approx 30 mph, I fell in love..

[@siddharthjain911]

Beautiful film !

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

Absolutely one of my favorite cars of all time for the design more than anything else. I have to give all the credit in the world to Petrolicious for producing the best videos on KZbin. A disclaimer though that's an absolute must for all Petrol Heads who follow the channel, put on a set of good headphones when watching these videos, makes all the difference in the world. Absolutely love you guys and your videos are a work of art especially those aerial shots, these country roads are where I dream to live near one day, away from the city and be able to really stretch the legs of any of these cars. Keep up the great work.

[@chipdiamond2628]

Nice looking classic car

[@davebarron5939]

What a great car, super looks and design with American V8 power as God intended! And kudos to you for keeping it. I wish I had done that with several of mine in the past.

[@jordiperez2519]

Absolutely beautiful car. Thanks Tom Tjaarda

[@paulpavlou9294]

Great story, great man and what a beautiful/amazing car.

[@NeoRazor]

Absolutely my FAVORITE supercar.

[@davidredhawk]

Greatest Dad of All time.

[@fernfloyd]

Make more videos with stories like this one! Great story that I had to share it with my friends and they liked it too.

[@cartiologyfilms2271]

Fern Hernandez thank you. Very kind of you. I got a few more like these in the works. 🙏😊

[@fernfloyd]

I'll be waiting for them.

[@luisronaldofigo]

CARTIOLOGY FILMS hey it's a dream of mine to work fro petrolicious was it hard ? Any tips ? Right now I'm in university

[@cartiologyfilms2271]

Not to hard at all. You need to have film making and producing experience.

[@steves4639]

thx for this great video. Few engines with a meaner snarl than a Cleveland running through the gears. I don't have a Pantera, but have a Mustang with the same big port big valve Boss engine as the Pantera, and I don't even have a working radio in the car as the engine and exhaust are more than enough. Pantera is at the very top of my wish list. This car is awesome, in the truest sense.

[@TheTukTuk2008]

Once again: great video guys! Top notch.

[@bodipsypha]

Always loved this car!

[@atranas6018]

it's like American pizza

[@SpadesHeart]

Accurate.

[@hasimgaye8344]

Anas Takiyudin 3hgvcr

[@cedricridel801]

I love pizza

[@erniearambula3525]

Stunning good looks killer exhaust note and the name Pantera sounds so cool 😎

[@turowat]

There are beautiful cars and there are handsome cars, this one is handsome!.

[@ANasCarBoi]

I saw that exact pantera drive by on my way to Art Center in the hills next to the Rose Bowl. I was turning on to Linda Vista (?) and I saw this bright red car that sounded amazing drive by really fast and I quickly look back and I see that it's a Pantera and I literally freaked out for the next 10 minutes

[@garycorcoran3742]

It could have been me. We did some shots on Angeles Crest Highway. Then I drove by the Rose Bowl on my way to Glendale to fishtail and set off alarms in a covered mall parking lot. Petrolicious made us edit that out. :-(

[@cassette_elk]

A beautiful, beautiful car.

[@macroorchidism]

This is great!

[@jesselee4405]

Stunning video.

[@DwainDwight]

Love these cars. so under rated.

[@ludovic9477]

I love this car, its line is sumptuous and it exerts on me an extraordinary attraction. His American V8 spoils nothing, a beauty.

[@mathewosyakob]

My favorite car of all time. Man when I'm going to college this is the car I'm gonna try to get.

[@K03sport]

Growing up in the early 80s, the guy across the street had a blue one of these... In fact he had several cool cars (2x 944 turbos) and the Pantera. When outside i loved it when he was leaving/arriving cuz the sound it made was incredible/fierce/mean.

[@keithsclassicgarage1133]

Loved my previous 4. I need another one!

[@erichakanson7010]

I used to never give the Pantera much thought. I was always more interested in European design and European engineering. But for whatever reason in the last few years the Pantera has started to grow on me. Beautiful European coachwork and the throaty American V-8 rumble makes for a pretty tasty combination. Good job petrolicious.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

It was a car that made perfect sense (and it would had more, had Ford given more time to De Tomaso to develop the car, instead of the ridiculous six month between the prototype and the cars on the dealers' floors, that accounted for all the problems of the model. To give a comparison, the development of the Mustang II took two years, and it was on an existing basis). European style bodywork, Supercar class power, and a powertrain every US mechanic can easily work on.

[@normsallitt2753]

Beautiful Pantera!

[@AJLinflight]

Beautiful, petrolicous has been my inspiration for my own clips.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Beautiful looking car. I've never seen one up close and personal. I've only seen pictures of them.

[@MindDezign]

To be of mind, to keep a car thru the years...I admire that ability to think that way. The cars of the 60s 70s and 80s are never coming back. If you have them , keeo them.Because they are going over seas much faster than you think.Even old junk yards are being bought out by the shipping container of junk cars and parts , shipped over seas. I loved the Pantera because it was a GT40 Italian style. The go cart knees apart driving position makes you want to be able to stretch your legs. It was an Italian Car with an American Engine.But not built with Americans , in mind.Opposed to a Datsun Z which was a Japanese car built solely with the American "size" driver in mind. Thats a big difference. The Pantera can feel awkward and cramped so it robs it of Daily Driver Status. But Italian good looks and American muscle proved to be a good combination if your body size fits you are in. Automotive heaven.

[@lenearl6268]

Great video, great car!