A well-kept 1971 De Tomaso Pantera with 351 V8, five-speed manual, and documented history heads to auction with no reserve.
A 1971 De Tomaso Pantera, offered from the Shortt Collection and powered by Ford’s iconic 351 Cleveland V8, is set to cross the auction block without reserve. Finished in bright yellow over a black leather interior, this early-production Pantera blends Italian design with American muscle and represents a standout example of one of the most intriguing U.S.-market sports cars of the 1970s.
The Pantera, Italian for "panther," was the result of a collaboration between Argentine-born racer-turned-manufacturer Alejandro De Tomaso and Ford Motor Company. With design by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia and engineering input from Ford, the mid-engined coupe was built to take on exotic European rivals — but sold directly through Lincoln-Mercury dealers.
Chassis THPNLY01660, denoting a February 1971 production date, retains its factory 351 cu-in Cleveland V8 engine rated at 330 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a five-speed ZF transaxle, enabling a reported 0–60 time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 159 mph.
The car rides on 15-inch GTS wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires and features disc brakes on all four corners, independent suspension, power windows, air conditioning, and a quad-exit exhaust. The interior is equipped with a detachable NRG three-spoke steering wheel, MSD ignition, and an aftermarket Sony stereo.
While the Pantera presents well, it carries some noted cosmetic imperfections, including paint bubbling on the driver’s rear door frame, chipped paint in the rear jambs, and surface corrosion on the rocker panels and underside.
Owned by the seller since 2009, the vehicle comes with numerous extras including the original owner's manual, De Tomaso tool roll, spare parts, fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.
This early-production Pantera offers collectors a chance to own an unrepeatable slice of Italo-American performance history—with no reserve to hold it back. See it here.
