1971 De Tomaso Pantera "Pulsante"

Coachwork by Vignale

351ci OHV V-8 Engine
Single 4-Barrel Holley 700 CFM Carburetor
310bhp at 5,400 rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Offered by the original owner
*One of 75 very early-production "pushbutton" cars sold in the U.S.
*Several custom modifications made for the owner by Holman Moody
*Original and unrestored condition, with only 12,706 miles
*Accompanied by early documentation and Marti Report

THE EARLY PANTERA

One of several Ford-powered "supercars'' built in Italy under the aegis of Argentinean-born former racing driver, Alejandro de Tomaso, the De Tomaso Pantera's sleek wedge shape wrapped around a mid-mounted 351ci Cleveland V-8 and 5-speed ZF manual transaxle. Years before the Ford GT, this was a mid-engined super coupe that could be bought directly from a Ford dealer – or rather, more precisely, a Lincoln-Mercury dealer, as part of an agreement worked out between de Tomaso and longtime friend Lee Iacocca.

The first Panteras produced were all completed at the famous Vignale coachworks. Instantly recognized by their round pushbutton door latches, with a hand grip molded into the body behind the door, these Panteras were literally hand-built and boasted numerous other tiny detail differences from subsequent full production models, which utilized more evolved mass-production techniques. Initially planned for delivery in the European market, the finalization of the sales agreement with Ford resulted in approximately 75 of these cars instead being sent to the United States. Survivors of the early "pushbutton" or Pulsante Pantera are scarce and widely considered among the most valuable De Tomaso automobiles.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The "pushbutton" Pantera offered here is still in the hands of its original owner, whose family have been devoted Ford customers for both work and pleasure since they began collecting automobiles in the early 1950s. They acquired, among other vehicles, the first Thunderbird and Continental Mark II sold in their state. In that spirit, when the family scion saw a Pantera at the 1970 New York Auto Show and wrote a letter to his local Lincoln-Mercury dealer, placing a firm order for the first available car. Several months passed and, upon learning that East Coast customers were already receiving Panteras long after he had placed his order, the owner wrote Henry Ford II directly, reminding him of the family's longtime Blue Oval affiliations and, significantly, that they were major commercial truck buyers.

Not coincidentally, this Grigio Pantera was delivered new not long thereafter; a copy of the check for the purchase is included in the file, along with copies of the correspondence between the owner and Ford Motor Company. Soon after the Pantera was purchased it was brought to Holman Moody, the well-known racing shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, where it was fitted with a Holley 700 carburetor, Mallory ignition, special valve covers, and a chrome oil breather; a copy of the invoice for this work is also in the file. Preserved in the family collection, the car has been seldom driven, recording only 12,706 miles, but remains in complete overall condition, retaining its original factory finishes throughout. In addition to the famous push-button door handles, it retains such early-production features as Campagnolo magnesium wheels, with the De Tomaso 'T' on each lug nut; De Tomaso, not Ford, emblems; and handmade bumpers. It should be noted that the original fuel tank requires refurbishing and an auxiliary fuel tank has been installed for temporary use.

There are precious few Pulsantes to go around; surely none have such splendid provenance.