An Era of Creation
The late 1960s-early 1970s was the era of birth for most of the supercars we look up to today. In that period, the world saw multiple automakers designing the most outrageous and sought-after cars ever seen at the time.
While some have stood the test of time, others have vanished, leaving only a trail through the cars they produced. De Tomaso was a brand born from a passion for racing, founded by Argentinian Alejandro De Tomaso. It forged its own path alongside the establishment with desirable machines and has garnered a dedicated fandom that endures to this day.
The De Tomaso Pantera has become one of the most valuable vehicles on the classic car market, which is why a recent listing getting attention comes as no surprise. This particular 1973 model is an "L" variant, which stands for "Lusso," the Italian word for luxury. It's also a very low-miler, with just 4,900 miles on it and one owner in California.
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The Panther
Apart from the car's apparent poshness, the L introduced new features that improved the car overall. First was the extended black front bumper, which helped reduce lift at higher speeds and helped the L comply with new road safety regulations in the US at the time.
Another change was the reduced compression Ford 351 cubic inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland V8 – a very reliable engine that's easy to maintain – that had reduced power to just 264 hp to meet US emissions standards. The good news is that since De Tomaso and Ford had an ongoing partnership, the Blue Oval was more involved in the building of the Pantera L, which improved build quality compared to previous versions.
The car for sale is, as mentioned, a 1973 Pantera L, and is a standout for its orange paint that draws attention to the Ghia-styled body. It also has a dogleg five-speed ZF manual transaxle. It rides on 15-inch Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels, equipped with disc brakes at all four corners. It features pop-up headlights, black bumpers, quad exhaust outlets, a gated shifter, air conditioning, and a Blaupunkt stereo.
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Historical Value
This listing is currently live on Bring a Trailer, and the most recent bids have surpassed $100,000 at the time of writing. Historically, it is right on the money for De Tomaso Panteras, with sale prices ranging from $75,000 to $100,000. This one is extra special, being a late-model L variant and a well-maintained low-miler too.
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