Low-Mileage 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Seeks New Home After 30 Years

For collectors who favor Italian exotics with a touch of American muscle, a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera has surfaced in Novato, California, listed at $110,000 after the asking price was trimmed from$125,000. The car is a genuine garage find, showing just 47,000 original miles and described as a turnkey proposition ready for the road.

Introduced as the successor to the Mangusta, the Pantera was the product of a partnership between De Tomaso and Ford, which sold the car through Lincoln-Mercury dealers between late 1971 and 1975 as a halo model. It was also the first De Tomaso built with unibody construction, a design that made rust a persistent concern. This example, however, has lived a sheltered life in a dry climate and has been with the same owner for more than three decades. Its Code V613 Silver paint is reported to be consistent throughout, and it rides on original Campagnolo magnesium wheels with clean trim and clear glass. Early Panteras are often favored by enthusiasts for their slender European bumpers, which were replaced in 1973 by bulkier units fitted to meet stricter safety standards.

Underneath, the car retains its numbers-matching Ford 351ci Cleveland V8 paired with a five-speed ZF manual transaxle. De Tomaso originally quoted 310 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, along with a 162 mph top speed; this engine is said to have been rebuilt and blueprinted, so those figures should be comfortably matched. The interior is factory-correct in black apart from an aftermarket radio and cassette player, with only light wear on the outer carpet edges and a clean dash, console, and upholstery.

The seller explains that health concerns have forced the sale and has hinted at possible trades without naming candidates. Given the history of care and the originality on display, this Pantera shapes up as a compelling opportunity for anyone seeking a well-preserved 1970s exotic.

For buyers weighing a long-distance purchase, a thorough inspection is always advised before committing funds. The car’s documented mileage, long-term ownership, and dry-climate history all work in its favor, and the seller’s willingness to consider a trade suggests they remain engaged enthusiasts rather than motivated liquidators. Panteras with this combination of originality and low mileage rarely appear on the open market, which is why the listing has already drawn attention from the collector community.

Originality remains the central draw here. The combination of a numbers-matching drivetrain, factory color, and original wheels places this Pantera in a category that is increasingly hard to find.