A 1970s Car That's Quicker Than Modern Supercars? DeTomaso Pantera

A prime example of what can be done with Ford running gear and an Italian chassis.. this 1972 Pantera runs 600HP making it quicker than many supercars. Today I drive this beast and find out if it can handle all the power.
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[@Number27]

Love these cars so much i went and bought a project one in Oaklahoma USA - check the video out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2TIdIirm7-tjpYsi=p8r7YYF9UBt_iAkc

[@thecentralscrutinizer1758]

These look spectacular in 2023. If you weren't around in the 1970s you probably can't even begin to imagine how outlandish they looked back then.

[@sealgrey.911]

And back in the day 600 HP was humungous.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Of course, they were rated 335 HP stock when new... then lower HP as emissions mods were required into 1970's...

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

Unfortunately I WAS around in the 70s😏 A friend of my dad's bought one - despite my parents' circle looking much like them - county worthies, accountants, doctors, Rotarians and masons - one couple stood out as somewhat unconventional. A GP of many years' standing but with a Brian May shock of hair and a liking of wackybaccy started up a nursing home and made a lot of money. Once it was really rolling he indulged his need for speed and almost immediately after he bought it, offered my dad, my brother and I a ride in his 911SC 3.2. He could have only had it for a few months when it was swapped for a Pantera - also white although I couldn't tell you specifically which one - which was also duly brought round similarly for us to peruse. Admittedly this by then must have been mid 80s but for the wilds of rural Norfolk, I assure you the effect was every bit as startling as you suggest!😄

[@silasakron4692]

I had one fly around me in a sharp corner on a dark night back in 1995 or so and the thing looked fairly futuristic then too.

[@mtnbound2764]

and the sound too, most Europeans probably weren't used to hearing a rumbling v8 like that!

[@ninji5226]

Still one of the best designs in any era. I would take one of these over a modern supercar anyday.

[@gordocarbo]

Truly analog car Id give anything to have one

[@TheMassdistortion]

You could wrench on it yourself. I would take one as well. Just the maintenance cost of the Bugatti Veyron, makes it impossible for me to own

[@stephensegal5187]

My Uncle Bill was contracted by Ford to design the exhaust systems for both the 351 and the 427. He said they were extremely restrictive, trying to shoehorn those Domestic V-8's into those tiny Italian Sports Car platforms....

[@gravitycat7874]

My father owned one of these. It was a beast. He rebuilt the engine right after he got it. Improved the ignition and put in an, at the time, experimental lunati cam grind allowing the cleveland to breath to well over 7500. 4000+ being where the ported cleveland heads really started to shine. Trick in the day was to go easy on the transaxle as this was a weak point in high hp builds limited to around 350 lb-ft. So, shift easy then push into it. It ran multiple times over 200mph and would run a 10sec quarter mile. Back in 70's a street car hitting those numbers was absurd. What a time machine. Wicked underappreciated in its day, all the way into the early 2000s. Brilliant vehicle.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

A 10-second 1/4 mile in the 1970's is like a five second 1/4 mile in 2023.

[@gordocarbo]

@@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449 True...a real 13 second driver in the 80s was "Quick" and 12 sec cars were trailered to the track lol

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

Crazy how quick modern cars are!@@gordocarbo

[@gordocarbo]

@@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449 COmpared to 20 30 yrs ago sure but they dont hold up over time

[@Meowface.]

Putting down that 10 second quarter while being gentle on the drivetrain ? Or are you rolling the dice on it going boom

[@rockyjohnson9243]

Used to have one, this was one of the only cars I've owned where the dots on the highway become a solid line. Also the sound the car makes is priceless. Mine was the GTS version.

[@anthonysalonek9462]

now why did you sell it

[@MrCarrera28]

Pantera is the only 70's/80's supercar to give the Countach a run for its money in terms of dramatic presence 😎

[@francistaylor1822]

They are tiny though so its not quite the same presence. They do look very very fast but not the same dramatic presence as a bigger cars

[@italianduded1161]

And the Ferraris

[@user-sy1ed9ex5m]

Agreed, but let's not forget the Testarossa.

[@italianduded1161]

@@user-sy1ed9ex5m 🗿🇮🇹

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Agreed - they’re tremendous!

[@patricklaska2409]

I remember driving really fast down a windy road with a 1990 twin turbo 300zx and I was flying.... I'm my rear view mirror I noticed a set of headlights gaining on me from a ways back I tried to push my car harder.... still the headlights are gaining.... and what eventually passed me was a Pantera.... I was impressed 👌

[@r.martin3494]

Nice anecdote, 2409. After it passed did you see something smoking in the woods at the deceptively sharp bend ahead? If so that will have been the suspension from the Pantera!

[@patricklaska2409]

@r.martin3494 na to focused on not crashing.... tunnel vision on the tail lights as he's was extending the gap 🫡... my adrenaline was peaked ... I had just raced a mustang and corvette beating them 5 mins befor then Pantera swinging slong came alone and me = 😫

[@mattcan69]

@@r.martin3494 😅😄😄😄😄😄

[@campervanbug7658]

Christine 😂

[@parrsnipps4495]

I had a 280ZX which I drove over 300,000 miles until finally selling it. It was a great car! I had to drive over a mountain in my commute and only 1 car was faster, a Pontiac Fiero. It was faster on corners. That Pantera seems like it has a stiff suspension but tons of horse power.

[@AB-jz9ns]

The Pantera brought the best of both worlds together. Incredible Italian body design and underpinnings with Detroit muscle all in one application. Iconic.

[@carlosdcardona5676]

Yet the mastermind was Argentinian!!!

[@AB-jz9ns]

@@carlosdcardona5676 Awesome!

[@peterhoare3219]

Little known fact: DeTomaso did a cosmetic and mechanical upgrade on the humble little Daihatsu Charade It was literally a giant killer on rally tracks I had one for axwhile, imported to Australia from Japan. Recaros, Nardi stuff, bigger motor (1.6 instead of 1.3 🤣), LSD, 4 wheel discs BRILLIANT little hot hatch 5,000 were made Won so many rally championships Down Under it was embassing for Subie WRXs, and Mitsui EVOs

[@user-pn3im5sm7k]

Ok I'm a corvette guy and googled that thing. Looks so damn awesome. Bet it drives great too...what a score. Love 80s cars. A Japan-Italy alliance is always welcome ;)

[@peterhoare3219]

@@user-pn3im5sm7k It was SUCH a blast..... I got a full Bilstein coil over and poly everything. You put me on a set of twisties against a 911 (true), and the Charade would go around it everytime. Of course straights a bit different, but I'd catch him....... I should NEVER have sold it.....but I wanted to get it supercharged at huge expense After spending $5k on a full-on Alpine sound system It was the money hungry GF who HAD to go.....😭

[@bebobism]

You don't have to have super powerfull cars to have fun. I own 3 modified cars , a 1970 GTO 462 ci, a 1977 Mini Clubman 1380 and a 2005 Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 turbo. The mini is by far the most fun , not only for the driving experience but also the reactions from people who see me driving it. The Daihatsu looks like tons of fun.

[@Doctorj63]

In 1972 I was working at the Ford Romeo Proving Grounds. One day while doing durability testing on a prototype Ford LTD I was out on the five-mile, five-lane, high-speed oval. I was running along at about 80 MPH in the bottom lane while a 1972 Pantera was circling in the top lane at 170 MPH. The sight, sound, and feel from the machine roaring past is still etched in memory!

[@Nellis202]

That is wild !

[@Dunkolunk]

My school teacher at St. Columba in Oxon Hill Maryland drove a blue with white stripe one. Her father worked for Ford. It was his car. He let his daughter drive once in a while. Us young boys loved the car. I missed the bus waiting to hear it start up..

[@TonyRule]

I've always liked the Pantera - even had one as a Matchbox as a child in the '80s. The simplicity over a modern supercar is a huge drawcard too.

[@nunofernandes4501]

I had one too! Was yours white on top and blue underneath?

[@TonyRule]

@@nunofernandes4501 I honestly can't be sure that but having had a look through some images I'm pretty sure it was was one with the orange engine compartment louvres and number 8 on the bonnet, which had light blue bumpers and 'PANTERA' on the sills - so that sounds like the same one you had. I had a habit of repainting my Matchbox cars with Humbrol enamel paint.

[@panosvrionis8548]

😊😊 you're that Old I had it too 😊😊 Was born1980 and had a full collection from my 13year older brothers

[@TonyRule]

@@panosvrionis8548 I'm a '73 vintage.

[@nunofernandes4501]

@@TonyRule mine had the orange louvres and the number 8. I loved that toy. And I was born in 73 too! All the best!

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

I know the Pantera was also an icon in Japanese car culture, too, being the earliest car to break the 300 km/h barrier there if I recall (especially given the 70s and early 80s).

[@tedgeldberg6498]

I have previously commented on your other two Pantera videos, but what the Pantera does so well (I own a 500hp '72 Pre L Pantera) is give you a thrilling ride by conveying a lot of feeling and rawness to the ride no matter what speed you're traveling at. Two weekends ago, I had the chance to drive a friend's Ferrari F8, what a snoozefest! It was completely devoid of any feeling, you might as well have been driving a Cadillac hearse. Sure it is capable of extremely high speeds and performance, but there's no fun, no thrill, no stimulation, it's just a bore to drive. I couldn't believe that I was saying to myself that I couldn't wait to get back into my Pantera where you are never without sensory stimulation. I will say regarding this particular car that you were driving, that it was considerably quiter than most Panteras, especially one with 600 hp roaring a midship. Obviously, this is your third Pantera video in the last few months, I think you're going to have to feed your obsession with one soon. As previous, if you ever venture over to Los Angeles, you're welcome to use mine for whatever time you're here. I usually only have time to drive it on Sunday mornings, so anytime. Interestingly, the seats in this Pantera look nearly identical to mine. Mine were C4 Corvette seats that we built up the bolsters a bit, and then diamond stitched them the same way in a contrast thread to match the leather dash's thread. Glad you're enjoying yourself so much!

[@Number27]

Agree on the F8.. it does give feedback but you have to be going ridiculously fast to get to that stage.. older cars like this are rewarding at much slower speeds! Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

What carburetor, intake, cam and compression did your 500 horsepower 351 Cleveland have ? And where did the headers come from ?

[@anthonybertrand6529]

Jack’s facial expressions during the first pull were hilarious. It’s so clearly a monster of a car.

[@johnross775]

No doubt you can see he's in true love with this one. Funny and happy video.

[@jamesstaggs4160]

One of the best looking cars of all time. The 3/4 rear view of the car makes me lust after them.

[@tumslucks9781]

It looks like a Tonka toy.

[@Number27]

yes thats one of the best angles.. those massive tires...

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Best looking car ever from the rear view

[@g04tn4d0]

600whp is pretty good, but combined with the light weight and mid-engine design of the vehicle it makes for a spooky fast ride!

[@montanaplease]

600 WHP 50 years ago translates to less than 300 today so there’s that

[@hotdog9262]

@@montanaplease ?

[@jonathanpeterson1984]

This car, the Muira, the countache, gt40 and F40 are my ALL time favorite OG super cars.

[@briannewman532]

The guy who lived in the condo under my grandparents in Florida back in the 80's had one of these, and every time he would take it out I would run to the balcony to watch. No other car left as much of an impression on me as a kid. It's easily my favorite, just a beautifully brutal car.

[@thatcheapguy525]

Jack, you've got the best job in the world. the Pantera is proof that brute-force and ignorance can be matched to beauty and grace.

[@simonroberts5882]

As a Ford man my all time favourite car was the GT40!The Pantera 351(cu in)was a great engine!❤V8s🏁

[@szpg]

The sound of the engine and the exhaust are the type of music I would listen when go on Holiday. The Music of adventure and pure joy.

[@glen7228]

I was never a Ford guy but the Pantera was an exception. This white one looks amazing.

[@timcheek5134]

I was never a chevy guy and still not!

[@stevie-ray2020]

Vividly remember sitting behind a Pantera (standard width) in traffic in the early 1980's, as it was the only car I've ever been able to see over the top of while driving my modded Mini Clubman!

[@tradde11]

Yep, the top of mine came up to my waist. Took it to work once and I could not see it in the parking lot so I thought someone had stolen it. Never seen a car so low. But still to this day they look great.

[@SniperSpec0ps]

My dad bought a new one in 1972, that the dealership in SoCal had swapped the engine out to a 429. Some kind of a performance special. Anyway, he said the thing was ridiculous to handle, it just wanted to spin every chance it got. He said it was downright scary in the rain. He was sitting in a parking lot at the Tyler Mall in Riverside, and an old woman in her Buick threw it in reverse, gunned it, and backed right over the front of the car.

[@gordocarbo]

Ouch Galpin ford in Van nuys used to sell these Id ride my Schwinn Stingray down there and gawk til the salesmen ran me off.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

429 would be extra weight in the rear...

[@robertferwagner3051]

I was born in 1970 and for me as a child the Pantera always was the ultimate sportscar. Far ahead from the Countach.

[@neilreid2298]

What a glorious machine! Legendary V8 in this fantastic chassis, and what a looker this car is. They don't make them like this anymore... Thanks for the fun vid!

[@leolopezvalido1892]

What a fab video Number 27! I think all of us viewers skipped a heartbeat when the rear started to slide.. well caught Sir! What a beast of a "restomod" with that torquey engine and especially those Willwood brakes. Absolutely awesome! Amazing that Mr. Tjaarda's design, although 50+ years old, has aged so well and is as spectacular as ever.. A big thank you to Tom for lending you his car and to you for puting us all in that driver's seat..

[@Number27]

Glad you enjoyed it Leo and thanks for watching!

[@harrywalker968]

@@Number27 a windsor revs easier, but less torque.. the clevo was designed for trucks, torque. it has better valve design, bigger ports. valves. & doesnt need alloy heads. this is why they made the clevor, windsor with clevo heads.. i think the windsor has bigger internals.. possibly was going to be upgraded to a big block.. dont know.. it still used 298 heads,, restricted to hell.. hence clevo heads.. FE heads are even bigger flow..

[@harrywalker968]

@@Number27 the owner,,should of kept the clevo.. i had one that pulled,,till it blew..or you stoped accelorating.. best engine ever built, 385 series cleveland.. he should of droped a 460 in it, just all alloy everything to reduce weight.. now theres a torque monster.. flat tops, mild cam, job done. wheel spin in 15th...forever..

[@harrywalker968]

@@Number27 stroker kits,,not a good thing, there usually from chev specs, crank, which are tiny.. plus, the pistons are very close to the bottom of bore.. a 302 cleveland is over square. which is what you need in an engine..only made in aus.. not u.s.

[@danmyers9372]

@@harrywalker968- I’m sorry but you have it backwards. The Windsor was built as a torquey, lower revving 351 and was used extensively in Ford trucks and mid sized passenger sedans. The Cleveland was the more performance 351 with far superior head flow that allowed it to breath better at higher rpm’s but sacrificed a bit of low end torque compared with the Windsor. I owned a 1970 Mach 1 with the 351 Windsor back in the mid 70’s. That engine, even with headers, better ignition, a dual plane and a 4 bbl Holley was totally done by 5000 RPM’s. I lusted after the Boss 351 Cleveland engine back then. Those engines easily would rev to 6000 RPM’s.

[@Number27]

Thanks for watching! And you enjoyed it.. check this out: The Scariest British Car Ever Made and the Flaw that Ruined it - TVR Tuscan kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGjVZKdjach1Zq8

[@myfreakyvalentine]

Speeding on public roads, clearly passing other motorists whilst doing so, why is that ok? Take it to the track before you hurt or kill someone, seriously.

[@thehippiedog5956]

My 1973 429/460 crank/head Torino Sport is sitting in the driveway in Carolina blue... Any takers? Pinks (and cash) are welcome... 🙂

[@thehippiedog5956]

Could be waiting on a new home...

[@bobsmudger3979]

Loved it mate! The TVR one too, lairy beast. Keep em coming.

[@bobsmudger3979]

​@@myfreakyvalentineAway n get your booster shot ya trumpet.

[@videowilliams]

Oh the soundtrack on this video was glorious for a start! No music and no pauses, nothing but a learned voice-over on top from a driver who clearly knows his stuff. That is a teeny-tiny road you had to drive on to my V8-manual-driving Australian eyes, but you still made it feel thrilling, and my feet even started to hit clutch, brakes and accelerator in sympathy with your moves.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

The pantera is one of my all time favourite car's..... It just looks exactly the way a child would draw a super car..... it's awesome 😎.... excellent stuff as always Jack 😉

[@tradde11]

It was one of mine too. Till I had one. Not fun to drive, very tight especially in the foot area. But man did it sound good. It had a race built Cleveland in it. But parts for them are out of this world. So I wish I had kept wanting one and never owned one and found out. But the Pantera people are a really tight bunch and do all kinds of events and help other owners. Most people really have never seen one so don't even know what it is.

[@wombatsauce]

I'm deep green with envy! Pantera has always been one of my all-time favourites and one of the few cars I thought I would someday have to have some day. Ever since I was a kid and had a Matchbox version the car has stopped me in my tracks. The white with the aggressive muscular changes looks fantastic and the sound is so great I had to play it again. Sort of reminds me of the high-speed chase scene in Bullitt but without their apparent 15-spd gearboxes. Thanks for this video, it's lots of fun. Can't imagine what it must be like to jam down a road in this!

[@bramesque]

I can feel your Pantera love!

[@romper4444]

15spd gearbox hahaha so true

[@stratocrewzr]

My Dad used to have two Panteras. I remember the clutch being super heavy for a 17 year old. Beautiful cars.

[@stratocrewzr]

@@whothehedoyouthinkiam7662 Black and Red and a black and yellow.

[@SK-xv3hn]

I actually just stumbled on this. I have a lot of unique cars and some I bought in the early 70's. I bought a silver DeTomaso Pantera about 50 years ago for $7,500 and it had a small dent on the door. I debated the money but bought it. I actually pulled the dent out with a toilet plunger. I sold it for 10 grand a few months later. I bought a '67 427 Vette I still have to this day. but, I did own a lot of cool cars between '65 and '75. The interior on the Pantera was a little cheap looking but OK. It had headers installed, suspension stiffened, and inexpensive upgrades available for a ford engine. I kept a XKE for many years and they were both tight for a big guy like me. I recently sold a '57 MB Cabriolet I bought in Miami for $1,250. I probably owned 6 Porsche 356 cars. All for under 2 grand. Muscle cars could be bought that cheap into the 80's. Like a '69 GTO I bought for 2 grand. I still have buddies and my wife from then and constantly hear (not from my wife), don't you wish you still had them. They're thinking of the money and I just love my wonderful memories. I still have my 4 keepers and that's OK. The Pantera was interesting but not in my top 10 or 15 I wish I still had. It was very uncomfortable for me. Then again, I'm 6'3" and 185lbs. I just watched a little and it was enough. I don't like American engines put down by saying they go everywhere, or words to that effect. Where could a kid get a muscle car that can outrun any British or Italian car in the 1/4 for chump change and repair it cheap. I once had a Sunbeam with a Ford V-8 and that ran pretty good. But don't forget they were selling Pantera's for more then a Shelby 450. They just didn't sell well but it was still a lot of fun to drive. My '67 427 Vette and my '87 Porsche turbo give me more thrills then it did! OK, got too wordy about the old days. Back to finding Scotty on a problem.

[@mikewysko2268]

Beware that 600hp doesn't sneak up on you and send you off sliding into the feild. Magnificent machine.

[@bmstylee]

Well. It is a Ford powered car so it might identify as a Mustang.

[@mikewysko2268]

@@bmstylee lol 😂

[@yannyburger]

​​​@@bmstyleewell you know, some people have what it takes to drive a Mustang, what with all that power while others would be better off sticking to something more their speed. Like the bus🤷

[@ONTHEEDGEFRED]

​@@yannyburgeran LS powered bus at that, all the while, drinking a bud light staring at a picture of Caitlin Jenner. LMAO

[@stephendickinson8454]

Enjoy your test drives and comments. I am no Ford expert but I vaguely remember the last Panteras had 351 Cleveland's exported from Australia when they stopped putting them into Falcons over here. Also a good blue printed Cleveland could rev to 7000+ as demonstrated by the Falcon GTHO Phase 3.

[@galactica1980]

Yep, they had to source Cleveland's from Oz when they couldn't get anymore from the US. I think Oz also exported blocks etc to Nascar teams in the 80s too??

[@aussiebloke609]

They did indeed get their 351C blocks from the Geelong foundry in Oz. Sadly, De Tomaso had to revert to Windsor blocks in later GT5-S models after Oz ran out of Clevos in '88, before changing again to the 5.0 V8 in the early '90s.

[@chrisbraid2907]

The Pantera carried the Ford engine well. The killed Phase four Falcon was incredibly powerful but was sending the most politically incorrect message at the time and I believe that killed it. I have an AU Six that’s just the right big car for Australia. Thirsty around town but great on a trip and towing … De Tomaso found the right engine for their supercar …

[@paulpaintshop103]

I had a Cleveland in my Cobra replica, boy did it go

[@rossgirdeen3247]

Cleveland's rule

[@blaster-zy7xx]

Always loved this car. Exotic looks with big raw American power that could be serviced by any mechanic with normal ford engine parts. Great!

[@ubatooba8467]

Phenomenal review or this car! I can't afford one.....but I sure wish other youtubers did their reviews (on whatever item it happens to be) this well. Lots of useful info, the kind you need, and explained so well that you can almost imagine what it'd be like to bedriving one of these machines! One of the best reviews I've ever seen on anything! THX

[@dudenamedclem]

The Pantera is an absolutely stunning example of blending engineering and design that was years ahead of it's time, can still keep up performance and aesthetically with the cars of today and this modified version completely sets it apart from the rest. Thank you for bringing it to us to enjoy!

[@r.martin3494]

Just one problem, unlike “cars of today”, it also liked to wrap young men permanently around oak trees along with Lancia who's chassis would snap in two with a good impact.

[@alexcawthorne811]

The engineering in fact was rubbish and basic. Build quality was poor...but it looked great and was very fast.

[@FakingANerve]

@@alexcawthorne811 Concise and factually based. Thank you! They're fun, but they were little more than a drunken kit build... which in a sort of sadistic way make them even more to drive. It's like trying to ride a horse that's trying to kill you.

[@alexcawthorne811]

@@FakingANerve Totally agreed...a bit like the British TVR brand...completely crazy cars, hard to drive, too powerful and you needed to be a good driver to handle the power.

[@XX-121]

@@alexcawthorne811 basic compared to what in 1972?

[@roberth7894]

Beautiful car. I saw one in the wild back in the early 70's. A successful local chiropractor was a car nut and parked one of these behind his office, us kids would ride our bikes up and peer into its windows with amazement!

[@jimhays2772]

I worked the Rick Cole car auction in Newport Beach back in 88 and drove everything over the course of several days and will never forget what this car felt like. The motor right behind you vibrated throughout your body and it felt like you were a lightweight extension of the engine and the car just FeLT amazing!

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

This and the countach have always been my favorites. Along with the F40. That has got to be the sickest Pantera I've ever seen 🤘🤘 600 horse 😳 can't imagine what the torque numbers are.

[@justdev8965]

The F40 looks like a sentient being. A look I value the most!

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

@@justdev8965 F40 and the countach for me all day. 2 iconic car's. But hey just my opinion. I'll never forget back when they came out, my dad was pin striping at a dealer and they had one in the showroom, sticker on it was 399,150 and I got to sit in it. I was 13 I think. Looked at the salesman there and said, can we start it? He looked at me with a straight face and said, if we start this right now it'll blow the window's out of the dealership, so, NO. 😂😂 just glad I got to sit in one. Just wish I had the money for one now. Not a Ferrari fan really. But the F40, bet your ass I would own one

[@montanaplease]

600hp in 50 year old cars translates to less than 300hp today just to let you know

[@gixerloon]

What an absolute treat and what a well turned out example, growing up in the 70's, the Pantera was always one of those halo cars I lusted after and my 2nd favourite Italian supercar after the Miura, perhaps if the lotto is kind to me one day, I might be in the position to own one, and that sound track with a big snarling V8 just lovely.

[@paula200]

A beautiful car and it doesn't look old in 2023.

[@ANDREWSAMY562]

I'm not an easy guy to impress when it comes to cars but this I'm absolutely taken by.

[@mikegoff7506]

I had a brief exposure to the Pantera during the summer of 76. I was driving S/B on US 395 in CA just soith of Madeline at around 10pm. The national speed limit back then was 55mph and I was rolling my old 66 pickup at around 65mph. I saw some headlights back a couple miles. US 395 has long straight stretches thru the high desert there. I checked my mirror again and the headlights were closing on me fast. I figured I was had by CHP, so I lifted and slowed to 55. Mere seconds later, a Pantera passed me at way over 100mph. I'll never forget the sound and feeling of that car blowing by. Man, I sure miss those times

[@HobbitHomes263]

One of my dad's pals was the VP of sales at a big Ford dealer in Illinoisin 1973. At unrip age of 17 I got to drive a Pantera and an AC Cobra on the same day. When I got out of the Air Force I bought a 69 SHelby GT500 with a bad tranny for $1800. I rebuilt the transmission and drove that car for 30 years and sold it in 2005 for $62,000

[@lyedavide]

You are so lucky to get to drive a car like this! It is a beautiful car and its styling, like a good wine, has aged so well. It doesn't look dated at all. In fact it looks so much better than the majority of modern supercars. It has that certain presence and character that new cars simply cannot compete with. Great video!

[@harrypalmer291]

The reason it doesn't look outdated is because it has been completely modernized and optimized with today's technology. The original car did NOT look or run anywhere near this modern restomod.

[@tradde11]

@@harrypalmer291 Not true. Ok, it may have been modded. But these cars always looked good: then and now.

[@bultronlagore4932]

@@harrypalmer291that’s not true at all.

[@fartzr.schmelli3351]

I love the fact that owners did/do whatever they want to them. Every Pantera is a one of a kind!!❤

[@JF-lt5zc]

This. And because of it, they have the value they have. If you did it to a 308 it would be less 'pure' and therefore less valuable. Love the 308 but the Pantera is my number 2 dream super car next to a Miura.

[@jtabt5146]

That car fills the entire line... stunning looks and a monster American motor!!! Awesome

[@alexburnham9339]

I've wanted a Pantera since I was a child in the 70s. Keep doing the lotto!

[@samuelb6960]

The Detomaso Pantera and Mangusta are two of best looking sports cars of all time.

[@SharpblueCreative]

Gorgeous looking thing. Used to dream about this in the 70’s when playing with my Matchbox version.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I had a couple of those - I was very fond of them!

[@klaunwelt4404]

The delight on this man’s face is a joy to behold. What a glorious video.

[@petergraham9267]

Can't believe it!! I was lucky enough to get a ride in this very car at Goodwood recently (the owner is best friends with my brother in law). What a BEAST it truly is! This is a great video, but nothing on camera can convey that sense of grunt when she's accelerating hard......not shouty like a Ferrari, but more like a Saturn V rocket, utterly relentless until you're going just too fast! 😂😎 This car was my Top Trumps Ace card when I was a kid, so it was unreal to get a ride in one all these years (decades!) later - thanks Johnny! A fabulous car, beautifully restored / modified!

[@gregberry9122]

My father worked for Ford in the early 1970's and brought one of these home for a couple days when I was a kid. I remember going down an onramp to the freeway at 80mph (ramp rated at 40) and going so fast on the freeway that the white striped lane lines looked like a solid stripe.

[@terryhand]

Maybe it was the colour, but this was the definitely the best looking of the three Panteras.

[@resnonverba137]

Agreed.

[@OhTheNormanity]

Saw one of this at the Beaulieu Supercar weekend a couple weeks back. That was one of my favorite cars of the show. That one looked better than the Panteras you've review though look wise. It had the flared wheels but there were softer, more organic; not bolt on. I looked it up and it was the GT5-S. Beautiful car!

[@dog3y3]

I'd forgotten how appealing the Pantera body shape can be. It's still such a good shape that it competes well with the modern European sports cars.

[@gordocarbo]

Looks good from any angle. No interest in todays plastic snap together computers on wheels

[@plunder1956]

What an amazing sound that car has. A man I knew from work in the 90s had one. He got it high centered on a mini roundabout & it slowly rotated perfectly balanced like a child's top. What a wild car.

[@tradde11]

You should have heard mine. I bought it from a doctor that knew nothing about cars. It basically had a very short exhaust almost straight headers to the pipes out back. I could set off car alarms in parking lots. But it did sound mean. I loved it. But the weird thing is it sits really low. I'd pull up next to a truck and I'd be looking at his door handle. And he'd be craning his neck around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. He He.

[@ClassicTrialsChannel]

The Pantera has always been one of my fav cars since the 70s. as a kid I had a model of one. still have it.

[@MrBluoct]

Those winding, bumpy roads are 🆘☠️. What a next level performance beast. It’s great the owner allowed this to be featured Thanks!

[@synchro505]

When I first laid eyes on this car when I was a kid it was love at first sight. Absolutely awesome body style and monstrous engine.

[@stevenpike7530]

Raw, wild & fun…(very fixable/maintainable)…love it.

[@tedgeldberg6498]

2 weeks ago I got to drive a friend's Ferrari F8, and I was highly disappointed. As you said it was absolutely not "raw, wild, and fun," you might as well have been driving a Cadillac hearse. It was devoid of feel, devoid of fun. Ferrari sucked the life out of the car. All I could think of is how quickly I could get into my'72 Pantera, and experience exhilaration again. Not that my Pantera is as quick as the F8, but the feeling on the buildup to speed is much more exciting. I even prefer my 200,000 mile Jag XKR to the F8, more fun!

[@stevenpike7530]

Hey Ted….bang on mate…I drive an 89 G body 911 because I prefer the analogue driving experience….hope you have many happy miles in the Pantera…regards Steven.’ @@tedgeldberg6498

[@Deetroiter]

I was fortunate enough to be born and raised in Detroit. It's a place we we pretty much have seen everything from every classic car, hot rod, muscle car, etc...There's nothing much that really surprises us. With that said, The Pantera is STILL the one car that when it shows up to a car show, everyone stops what they're doing to look as it drives by and give it the respect it deserves. That says a lot about the prestige of the Pantera!

[@johngalt2054]

I grew up in Rockville, MD. In the center of town in the late 80's was Thoroughbred Motorcars. They had two GT5-S'es-- One red and one white. Beautiful cars. Loved the Countach, too so this was too easy to love. Also, there was a Lotus dealership and Loved the Esprit Turbos. Great video!!

[@chrisdown2591]

What an AWESOME beast of a car. Pantera's were always the unappreciated second cousin to the Countach, but that one is better! And I mean that wholeheartedly, the sound, the looks and that stance, just amazing!

[@stephenscholes4758]

You prefer the sound of pig-iron v8's to wailing v12's...??

[@tradde11]

@@stephenscholes4758 Yep.

[@mmg6282]

@@stephenscholes4758 Sure do.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

For something crudely made in a shed it's rather spectacular.

[@bobsmudger3979]

My first model kit was a DeTomaso Pantera waaay back in the early 80's. Ive built and amassed quite the collection since then 😊

[@derekstocker6661]

Thanks for this Jack, great looking car and also a fabulous soundtrack, love the retro Ford Mustang sound it makes and such a beast to see and drive obviously, well done on this!

[@Morongobill]

Sound on par with Steve McQueen's car in Bullitt.

[@derekstocker6661]

@@Morongobill Well said, great comment.

[@rogernorman2621]

I owned a Pantera GT 5 followed by a Countach and I can tell you the Pantera was a much better car to drive. They shared the same tyre sizes(345’s on the rear) but the Pantera had better handling. It was less expensive to maintain as well with its American V8 and German gear box mounted on the rear. It also sounded better in a very raw way. If you wanted a more refined drive then you may have favoured the Countach but I always felt that a proper sports car should feel a bit of a hand full and having had the rear out on mine on quite a few occasions I can certainly vouch for that!

[@BoBo-pl3ww]

Most Lamborghini countach's are over 300k. You rich asf or what?

[@rogernorman2621]

@@BoBo-pl3ww i owned these cars back in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. They were still expensive and I guess money being worth a lot less now, they were relatively expensive to the value of money then but todays prices have gone silly much like property. To a certain extent , the internet has mucked things up because every one knows the value of everything by doing a google search. Back then pre internet, it was possible to find bargains even at auctions.

[@Iffy50]

What do you own now? How old are you? I'm 51 and the Countach and the Pantera were both on posters I owned. That said, I feel like comparing them to modern supercars is a little silly. 0-60 in 5 seconds and top speed of 180mph was a huge deal in the 1980s, but now that doesn't even tip the bottom of the supercar category in my opinion. The latest Corvette is doing 0-60 in about 3 seconds and top speed is 194. I feel like that is the new bottom level entry to the supercar category.

[@michel7971]

😅😅😅

[@TrustyZ900]

Used to cruise around in a yellow '72 Pantera.Wonderful engine and sound. These cars were really cool looking. The only thing that slowed it down were the slots the gearshift lever had to follow. I was in love. Seen one with a 426 hemi in it, Real tight fit.

[@bubbacomputer]

Beautiful car, I remember seeing a couple of them when they were new and thinking I would have loved to have one, but their price back then was WAY out of most people's budgets. :)

[@jobmunene3263]

I love it. Simplicity with a full complement of thrills. Solid build and reliability at a very reasonable cost. As an Engineer I approve it 👍 A ➕

[@mtnbound2764]

what a wonderful car! i love the looks on the pantera, and this one is done up just enough to bering up to modern expectations, while looking mostly original! love the huge carb filter sticking up right behind you!

[@KoreyConstable]

I like how the body line is integrated into the wheel arches. This is a really good example of a modified Pantera. Except maybe for the bulging side scoops.

[@kimvibk9242]

Oh, you mean the Dumbo ears...? 🤣

[@paulbeck6410]

Probably there to try to keep the interior cool.

[@Pantdino]

@@paulbeck6410 They feed air into the engine bay, not the interior of the car. But they really don't work very well.

[@whatchannel3679]

really good refreshing placement of your cameras, love the one inside showing your other cams and the gauges. Stunning car

[@denniskeena5936]

I`ve loved these cars since 1971 when one used to park near my high school at the Log Cabin Restaurant! they sound terrific.

[@canucklehead0]

Now how much fun was that beast!!! For me, there is no other car that has the looks and the power that those Pantera's do. They're quick, even in stock form, they look as good as anything that came out of the Ferrari and Lamborghini stables from the same time period, they are infinitely more usable ( some folks still daily drive their big cats) combined with that glorious noise and well,.....I may be a little fond of the cars!!! Glad this one had the lower seats, you looked much more comfortable, even when your eyes got REAL BIG after that pull where I know you easily pulled 60mph in about 4 seconds and hit the shy side of 115mph on that pull?? Thank heavens it was like the old Top Gear Boys used to do and never break 55mph (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)! As always, a Fantastic review of a classic car!! Please keep the episodes and the segments coming,...Cheers - Dave

[@DarrenLamb-on3py]

We can do more than 55mph here in UK. The max is 70mph.

[@canucklehead0]

@@DarrenLamb-on3py Hi Darren, we can legally do 70mph/120Km/H so actually about 74mph but only on certain roads. However, in my comment I was eluding to the old Top Gear videos when Clarkson, May, and Hammond used to test certain cars in the USA. They would show the cars from the outside going very fast and then cut to the interior and you could hear the engine whining close to it's limit but the speedometer always showed 55Mph. It made for a funny video and that's what my comment referred to. Have a Fantastic day!!

[@DarrenLamb-on3py]

@canucklehead0 ah right. Yeah you too.

[@darthhauler9947]

Gotta remember, this was the Ford that just came off a four year run of winning LeMans with the GT40. Lovely little car and deserving of more fame.

[@JackF99]

I don't believe Ford had anything to do with the Pantera development or production other than obviously the engine De Tomaso bought for them was the 351 Cleveland and they were marketed through Lincoln Mercury dealerships

[@chriswheeler6092]

This pantera is very nice looking. The only thing that I would be concerned about is that the engine has no air going to it. I think that I would be worried about overheating and want to put intake vents in the sides or on the roof.

[@neiltaylor2895]

My all time favourite 70's classic! Always loved these.

[@Zinctwentyone]

Always wanted one of these but went with 993 instead back in the 90s. Took a trip to Fl and by chance saw the GT5 wide body Pantera with the wing, man was that awesome in person.

[@johnireland1629]

You've given me new respect for DeTomaso and his creations.

[@timgosling6189]

I love these earlier cars, so much cleaner in design, and I find the wood-trimmed interiors a bit cheesy. So apart from the Marty Feldman main dials this must be close to my ideal Pantera! And at least the dashboard isn't as bad as a Urraco!

[@DrRock2009]

Marty Feldman dials 😂👍

[@thatdudeinorange5269]

Woodtrim is so wrong in a sportscar! As is those blooming cupholders in modern sporty ones. A proper car is for driving, not some kind of restaurant.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The interior/dash trim on this car looks properly purposeful. It wouldn't benefit from wood veneer to tart it up.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

@@DrRock2009I liked that reference!

[@truantray]

1973 L model got rid of that dash design.

[@knuttsackjones3094]

I’ve known of 2 of these around my area. The first was in someone’s garage, nose first with crap stacked all over it. An older mechanic buddy of mine told me to keep an eye out and every once in awhile I’d catch a glimpse. House is gone and I have no idea what happened to that sweet yellow machine. That same mechanic buddy had a friend years ago who owned one. Said it was really a cool car but it met a sad fate. It had a fuel leak and the guy didn’t have the coin or time to fix it so he parked it at his parents farm. He specifically told his dad to not start or move it and if he needed it moved to call him and he’d come over immediately and get it handled. Well his dad called him up, rather sheepishly and informed him that he started the car to move it and got it out of the barn in time to save the barn but the car was burned to the ground. To this day I’ll never understand why he left the keys with it or the battery in it, or carb on or something to disable it. I give sole credit to that older mechanic buddy for opening my eyes to how cool stuff like this was. Yeah we’re all into cars but he was a huge Willys/Jeep, AMC and British car guy. Taught me quite a bit

[@M1Tommy]

Great video of an incredible car! During my engineering college years there was a Pantera on the campus regularly. I can remember hearing it well before I spotted it. 👍😎👍

[@dallisb1047]

Jack. I admire the fact that you know your driving ability. Unfortunately, most of us do not. I used to be one of those. Every time I see a Pantera on the road (which is not often) I get excited. Nice job as always.

[@ericprentice1269]

Got into kart racing, thought I was pretty good until these guys in the same class (TaG) at Autobahn in Chicago came flying through the corners past me. I knew then that I didn't have the right stuff. I'd recommend karting to all kids to learn driving skills.

[@thesaint2700]

A Tom Tjaarda masterpiece. Only the Countach would trump the Pantera’s menacing looks

[@dancarter482]

Skinny front wheels on the Countach let it down, Pantera doesn't have _any_ bad angles ~ sheer perfection!

[@mescko]

I have long since concluded that I'm the only one on earth whose eyes find the Countach still one of the top 2 ugliest cars ever created. I like the Pantera, one of 4 mid-engine cars I like. Just not my thing.

[@dancarter482]

@@mescko It's a fascinating jumble of rhomboids that fall off a cliff! Front wheel arches and skinny wheels are the weakest aspect - from the door hinges back, it's awesome .. .. .. Pantera on the other hand ~

[@jamesreece9502]

In the early 80's, when I was just 7 or 8, I saw a Pantera in a book. It's been my dream car ever since. Also my favorite metal band.

[@ralphaelalfaro6023]

In '75, my shop teacher, Mr Walsh(BGHS) a 'Vette affecciando bought a Pantera. Listening to him talk about it etched an impression in my mind that still lives on. He also once brought in a Delorean for us to see, along with a dozen of his personal Corvette builds. He was visited by hollywood for technical advice before the filming of "Corvette Summer", and "Gone in 60 Seconds". He Inspired dozens of students to persue automotive carreers and businesses. I did not succeed there, but have managed to hoard a small stable of cars which include keeping my dads '68 goat, and his '63 GMC pick up. I've added to that a '60 Galaxie, '65 beatle, '66,70, and '71 Ghias, and a '69 3/4 ton chev pu, '73 318 Duster, '73 and'74 914's, a '79 Vette, and some other "junk". Operative word here was hoard but it keeps me happy. Shout out to Mr Walsh. The glean in his eyes as he talked about cars.

[@truantray]

I grew up a passenger in my Dad's Pantera. They are easy to modify because of their simplicity and a bulletproof ZF transaxle out of the GT40 program. They made potent group4 cars back in the 70s, but the stock Pantera was heavy with mediocre brakes. They were modified heavily because they suffered from overheating issues. Elvis Presley famously shot the dashboard of his 71 Pantera because of vapor lock. That dash is a 71 or 72, and they added group 4 flares, scoops and wheels.

[@Cobrajet1971]

I recently picked up a 77 Vette in beautiful condition, however, at 52yrs old I've now for the very first time in my life experienced Vapor lock and having to pull over frustrated. But your comment about Elvis made me lol and actually gave me hope. If Vapor lock hassled the King... then I'm almost damn proud it's happening to Me too😅 Thanks for that!

[@brianiswrong]

What a nice example, useable and reliable mechanics, a carb to fiddle with on a saturday afternoon for a sunday blast.

[@LeviBulger]

Holy crap, i totally forgotten about these beasts. My best friend's dad had one back in the day. I remember it being stupidly loud and it felt like you couldn't move your body when accelerating in it. Ridiculous HP in these things.They look huge at a distance but as you approach it, thry seem to shrink right up. And once inside, they feel ridiculously small.

[@DontPanicDear]

I have seen and snapped this one in person in 2018 at Shere Hill Climb in Surrey 🤓 I followed it into the carpark and was immediately 🥰 I’ve been in love with the Pantera since I attended their owners club track days at Castle Combe in the late 80’s. The last Sunday of the summer holidays for a good few years. Thanks for posting this and to John for lending. I wonder if it lives near me in Surrey?

[@FlatWaterFilms]

Back in the day I ran across one of these on the freeway. I was running a built up Torino 429 SCJ 4 speed with 3:01 gears. This was the only car I ever challenged on the freeway that I lost too. That thing pulled away like I was standing still and I had a 160mph car.

[@andrewwalther9203]

Think the only way a torino would touch a Pantera is if Nascar wouldn't have wussed out, and the torino king cobra would have went into production. That car was going to be a superbird munching monster with the boss 9.

[@Leothelion357]

What about the Pantera gave it the edge to your SCJ?

[@romper4444]

Weight man, weight, plus 3:01 gears woulda killed performance, even a big block on the highway

[@FlatWaterFilms]

@@romper4444 That's why troopers can hit over 150mph. lol

[@daniellee9015]

Absaloutly brilliant video jack ❤👍 what a beautiful car she is and that engine noise amazing

[@cookiemonster-cookiesautos4463]

Amazing these guys took the time to build an awesome super car and be a world class heavy metal band too.

[@bringbackdislikebutton6452]

That engine has the perfect note. Was a treat to listen to you row gears. Lovely. Just lovely.

[@GTAjedi]

I'm so jealous! You've driven 3 Pantera's! At least I've seen one in real life

[@sams8591]

The stance of this is just perfect. Absolutely outstanding. I feel nervous just watching you drive it. Sub zero cool.

[@Maverick8t88]

The Pantera has always been one of my absolute favorite dream cars. Unbelievable beauty and sound.

[@danmyers9372]

I actually got to drive a 1971 Pantera back around 1975-76. It definitely was a beast and the sound of that Boss 351 right behind you was intoxicating. They were a bit tricky to drive with the offset foot box, the low roof (I’m 6’2”) and that horrible gated shifter. The ‘71 was the highest HP year in stock form (I believe the only year with the actual solid lifter Boss engine). It also had much more solid suspension bushings which gave it very quick steering but also made it a little more jittery on rough roads.

[@johndeeregreen4592]

I got to drive a 1973 Pantera back in the early 2000s. I was only moving it across town to our shop, so I didn't get to open it up. I'm 6'5" and 260lbs, and cramped is the understatement of the year! That offset control setup was tough for me... on top of my height, I also wear a size 16 boot.

[@erickmobyii5099]

@@121staslthelco ZF transaxle, 351 Cleveland with massive Holley carb, gated shifter, was FAR from a luxury car. It was a brute. Had a 74 until ex wife sold it while I was on a business trip. Still haven’t forgiven her.