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Reply to "looking for a project Pantera"

Tim,

Welcome. You're about to embark on an exciting and, often times, exasperating journey. Your question about the best years is very subjective. So, let the exasperation begin.

The cars are generally broken up this way:

1971 through mid-'72 (midway through 72 the 5 mph bumper mandate changed the design  and were designated as "L" models). These are called the 71s and the pre-L 72s. The very early 71s had push-button door openers. 

Mid-72 through 79. These are the L (Lusso) models.

GTS's were made from 72 through 79.

There are also GT3 and GT4 variants. 

During the early years of production design changes were made, shall we say, inconsistently. For instance the early cars had a two pod dash which was replaced by a single pod dash. Although this may have happened first on VIN XXXX (we use the last 4 digits to identify a car) the very next car may have the 2 pod dash. The factory was known for putting unfinished cars aside then coming back to finish them with the current inventory of parts. Then throw in the variations between models designated for the European market and those for the US market.

Part of your answer also depends on your budget. The GT5 (1980) and GT5-S (1985) are beautiful cars and go for the most money due to their very limited availability. The Si model (1991-1996) is even more rare. 

panteraplace.com is an excellent site and has a buyers guide.

So, to answer your question, it really depends. Some prefer the two pod dash over the single pod.  Some like the bumperette design of the early cars to the 5 mph bumper design. Some prefer the flat deck lid to the ribbed deck lid. Some love the original look, some like the more radical changes. The beauty of these cars is you can make changes to the car to make it "yours". We're not as encumbered to originality as say, the Corvette community. When you go shopping you'll find quite a wide variety. From very original to some with very radical (some would say questionable) changes. 

 

The most important advice I can give you is be patient and get to know the know the people on this forum (and I might recommend the DeTomaso forum server.detomasolist.com) and the cars. Have you seen the youtube video with Jay Leno's Pantera? It "stars" a well known member of our community, Mike Drew.

Questions are always welcome! You won't find a more fanatical group of owners!

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