The DeTomaso Pantera was a mid-engine, rear wheel drive 2 seat sports car produced from 1971 to 1993 and available for sale at Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Throughout its 20 year run almost 8,000 examples were made. They're known for their Italian good looks, handling and brutal American V8 performance courtesy of the venerable Ford 351 Cleveland engine. On the aftermarket they are highly prized and modded from the mild to the wild often appearing on the racetrack and still competitive to this day.
The 1972 Pantera, in particular, was the second year the Panther was produced. With her Ford V8, ZF 5-speed manual transmission and transaxle, she was one of the fastest cars on the road. But not quick enough for some as this recent restomod makes clear. With tons of bodywork, a kicking 427 Windsor engine, and detailed interior, this Panther looks ready to hit the racetrack once again. Let's give it a look.
One Smooth Panther
Starting on the outside of this slick Panther, builder Ruffian Cars added a Group 4 style bodykit with massive fender flares. They also did a rework of the door handles and drip rails for a clean look. The car is finished in a - funny enough! - Mitsubishi Sunset Pearl finish. Other mods include Shark gill fender vents, Centerlock Forgeline wheels with brushed, nickel plated hoops and satin black centers. It also sports Carbon fiber racing mirrors with convex glass and Ferrari side marker lights. And included in the body mod kit are Tinted group 4 tail light lenses with LED lighting, Carbon fiber front bumpers, Hood vents and DeTomaso emblems in vinyl.
Stroked 600 HP Windsor
Rather than the stock Cleveland there is something more contemporary, and considerably more ferocious under the hood - a bored and stroked 427 cubic inch Windsor powerplant. The block is from Ford Performance and fitted with aluminum heads, Scat crank, H-beam rods, ARP bolts, and aluminum pistons. And thankfully, rather than go the forced induction route it was kept old school with a quad of Webers poking out of the rear deck.
Prepare To Launch!
With all those mods and custom touches, however, none of it means a thing if the car can't lay some wheels. And luckily, it seems to go like stink. The above video documents start up and take off of the mighty Panther. It seems a little reluctant to turn over at first, but settles into a nice lope and then digs and away she goes. Looking good! Buckle up.
Source: Ruffian Cars