Anyone here ever own a Ford Pantera?

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
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I have some extra money and I want to buy one because of the few I have seen and the things I have read about them. Just curious, what was your experience?
 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
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Join an owner's club and attend some of thier meets.
Ask questions. Then listen for honest answers.
Buy one that has been well sorted out ;)


...Galvanized
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,512
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They're not Fords. They're DeTomasos. It's an Italian company that uses Ford engines in the cars that they design.

ZV
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
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I know that, but for all intents and purposes they were called Ford Panteras, even though they only had a small block v8 in from ford.
 

tboo

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I know that, but for all intents and purposes they were called Ford Panteras, even though they only had a small block v8 in from ford.

Ive been around for quite a while & I never heard anybody call them Ford Panteras. It was either DeTomaso Pantera or Pantera.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,512
21
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Originally posted by: tboo
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I know that, but for all intents and purposes they were called Ford Panteras, even though they only had a small block v8 in from ford.
Ive been around for quite a while & I never heard anybody call them Ford Panteras. It was either DeTomaso Pantera or Pantera.
First time I've heard anyone call it a "Ford Pantera" also, and I've been obsessed with cars since I was old enough to know what a car was.

ZV
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
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Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: tboo
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I know that, but for all intents and purposes they were called Ford Panteras, even though they only had a small block v8 in from ford.
Ive been around for quite a while & I never heard anybody call them Ford Panteras. It was either DeTomaso Pantera or Pantera.
First time I've heard anyone call it a "Ford Pantera" also, and I've been obsessed with cars since I was old enough to know what a car was.

ZV

I've heard them called Ford Pantera's on car forums and in the Automobile magazine that recently did an article on them. Ford did abandon the Pantera though, and DeTomaso continued to produce them so techinically we are both right, just different years.
 

bloodugly

Golden Member
Apr 27, 2004
1,187
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There's a vehicle called a Pantera? Instead of a check engine light, does it just play the song "I'm Broken" ?

Edit: Apparently this is an older, pre-metal band Pantera vehicle...which only makes my lame attempt at a joke even lamer :)
 

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
I think the confusion about calling them Ford Panteras, which was never the case, was that they were imported by Ford and were sold in Ford dealers in the US. In the early years, 71-71, it was almost like a joint venture between Ford and DeTomaso.
 

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
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I never owned one but I did drive a new green one for a short while in 72. It was scary fast but not real good in tight corners. Watch out for structural rust around the front engine/drive train support in a used one. The trans-axles were relatively fragile and expensive to replace. I don?t think the gear train was rebuild able as well. Good luck they were a beautiful design for there time.
 

AaronB

Golden Member
Dec 25, 2002
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Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: tboo
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
I know that, but for all intents and purposes they were called Ford Panteras, even though they only had a small block v8 in from ford.
Ive been around for quite a while & I never heard anybody call them Ford Panteras. It was either DeTomaso Pantera or Pantera.
First time I've heard anyone call it a "Ford Pantera" also, and I've been obsessed with cars since I was old enough to know what a car was.

ZV


Same here. Took me a moment to figure out what he was talking about.

It has always been a DeTomaso Pantera.