De Tomaso Pantera «gr. 3», 1971
De Tomaso Pantera
De Tomaso Pantera•
•14 مشاهدة
Chassis No.: THPNLS01893
Not Sold
Large invoice file Performance and reliability at all tests Eligible for the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic and Mondena Cento Ore French registration Chassis n° THPNLS01893 Born in 1928 in Argentina, Alessandro de Tomaso was a former mechanic and driver of the Osca team of the Maserati brothers before founding his own eponymous brand in 1959. Following in the footsteps of the glorious Fangio and Gonzales, he wanted to shine on the racetrack, but as a wise man he soon realized that he did not have the talent. So he turned to the construction of racing cars and settled in Modena, then the world capital of motor sport.
With his sharp business sense, de Tomaso managed to forge strong links with the giant Ford, which was losing out on its negotiations with Enzo Ferrari. It was in this context that the Pantera made its appearance in the early 1970s. Designed by Tom Tjaarda and conceived by the young and talented engineer Gianpaolo Dallara fresh from Lamborghini, the Pantera showed immense potential so much so that it was decided to prepare a series of cars to compete in the Grand Touring category. Powered by a Cleveland 351 ci V8, the Pantera had 270 hp and was one of the fastest GT cars of the time, including the Corvette in the USA.
Designed on a self-supporting steel body with a central beam and steel bodywork, the Pantera is not very light. The all cast iron Ford V8 doesn't help to save weight, but the performances are very interesting thanks to its consequent torque and to the good aerodynamics of the car, which is only 1m10 high. The Cleveland V8 will evolve to more than 300 hp for the GTS Standard, and 400 hp for the Group 3, or close to 500 for the Gr 4. 01893 presented here is one of the very first chassis built in June 1971 with parts coming from the first generations such as the dashboard or the bumpers.
Carrying the letter L (for Lusso) on its chassis number, they are often considered as the most interesting ones by enthusiasts. According to its extensive invoice file, the car resided in Florida before arriving in Belgium in the 1990s. Bought in 2005 to participate in several historic events, the car will be completely rebuilt to meet the Gr. 3 homologation. The preparation, entrusted to Gilles Céron of Vintage Garage not far from Orléans, starts in 2006.
Nothing will be left to chance, the bodywork is completely stripped, the fenders are widened, the running gear and brakes (Porsche/Brembo) are adapted to pass the power to the ground of the 5.8l block fed by the four Weber IDA 48 carburetors. A few months later, the car is on the starting grid of the 24 hours circuit and will cross the checkered flag in a respectable 42nd position out of the 71 cars of the 5 stage. In 2009, it will reach Marseille from the Grand Palais for the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo in regularity. Since then, more than 33 000 € on invoices will have been necessary to maintain the car at its best level as the engine rebuild in July 2016 for more than 13 000 €.
Reliable and devilishly efficient, this De Tomaso Pantera is a great opportunity.
https://www.aguttes.com/lot/113642/a4a6c58b-7980-40d8-8287-3d03f15e0fba
