De Tomaso Pantera Group 4 GTS Homage.

De Tomaso Pantera Group 4 GTS Homage.

This 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, #02334, is a fascinating car in our opinion, and offers versatility for both fast road use or as a potential entry to some of the best historic motorsport on offer around the world today.

The previous owner, having attended historic events such as Spa Italia, Laguna Seca and the Le Mans Classic, had become rather enthusiastic about the De Tomaso Pantera, and decided he would like to build a multi-purpose example that was better equipped and detailed than any other he had seen at these events. After much searching, he managed to locate a car in the USA in 2012 which had not been used for some time, and was effectively a ‘barn-find’. He managed to purchase the car and, after being imported to the UK, it was subject to a bare metal restoration and carefully and expertly built with no expense spared. The intention of the build was to create an iconic car which would reflect the racing history of the marque in the ‘Group 3’ and ‘Group 4’ era, but with a few enhancements and tweaks to make it more practical and user-friendly on the road.

The Story of #02334 and its extensive restoration has been superbly captured in the accompanying bespoke hardback book in the car’s history file. The book contains lots of useful information as to why and how it was created, along with more history about these special cars. There is simply too much to list here but some highlights of this car’s impressive specification are listed below and more information can be supplied upon request:

Carbon fibre bonnet, decklid and doors

T45 high-strength steel roll-cage by Nick Garrat to MSA standards

Magnesium 13” Campagnolo wheels. ‘Group 4’ flared arches

AP Racing brakes front and rear

Tillet carbon fibre lightweight driver seat

Aluminium Koni adjustable shocks. Set up by Pantera specialist, Steve Gilby

Twin fuel tanks with ATL level sender

Ford V8 bespoke build by Jeff Raeburn, aluminium block, custom Racetech forged pistons with Holley 850hp carb. Dyno results available upon request

Gearbox rebuilt by ZF specialist Paul Fleming. Lightweight racing flywheel and clutch fitted

Rally timing telemetry and equipment for competitive historic rally events

The Pantera is road-registered with the plate 351 PAN which our vendor is generously including in the sale. The livery is an homage to an example that raced at Le Mans in period, and a 1/18th scale model of that Le Mans car is included in the sale along with a spare set of period shock absorbers, driveshafts and headlight covers which can be fitted in place of the race equivalent currently fitted.

Fitted with new Pirelli tyres all-round, the car comes complete with easily detachable silencers for road use and additional bolt on silencers for 105dB track days.

It was always designed to be ‘dual-purpose’ and has proved to be reasonably tractable on the road. It was treated to a Goodwood track day, driven by the De Tomaso Drivers Club UK Secretary, Richard Pogson, who reported, ‘I had the opportunity to drive this car in 2021 and again in 2022. I found it a pussy cat on the road and an absolute wild cat on the track, even a track novice like me was inspired. Such a good looking car attracts so much attention, I felt like a celebrity driving it’. The car has also been exhibited at the British Motor Show.

Overall, there has been an awful lot of time, money and careful thought been put into #02334 over the past few years, and we therefore encourage all interested parties to come to the NEC to see the results of all this hard work for themselves, along with spending time reading about the cars fascinating journey. Being offered at a very sensible estimate when you consider what it would cost to replicate to this standard today, this looks like a very interesting proposition indeed.

THE NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW SALE 2023 – CARS

50% off seller’s fees for Cars and Motorcycles at our season finale, The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham (B40 1NT) 10th – 12th November. The UK’s biggest and best motor show attracting visitors, bidders and buyers from around the world. Viewing is available on Friday 10th November 10am – 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday morning from 9am until the auction commences. Cars and Automobilia can be viewed in Hall 2 and Motorcycles in Hall 5. The Car Auction will take place on Saturday 11th at 11am, Automobilia on Sunday 12th at 11am followed by Motorcycles at 1pm – all in Hall 2. Admission to the auction stands is by catalogue only. Catalogues will be available to purchase at the catalogue desks at the entrance to our stands for £10. Each catalogue admits two people. Admission to the show is not included in the price of the catalogue. Show tickets can be purchased via the Classic Motor Show website, use the code ICONICAUC for £2 off per ticket.