Reply to "Pantera #9250 - and GT5 history"

Phillippe please provide Peter with the information you’ve promised; i.e. the list of Paris show cars and the data for the early GT5 wide bodies.

I would like to add a few words which may help avoid confusion:

(1) Early GT4s (1978 - 1979)
The first wide body Pantera evolved over a short period of time. It seems the Pirelli 345/35VR15 tires became available in 1978 and both De Tomaso and Lamborghini revised their cars to take advantage of them quickly and simultaneously. The wide body Pantera began as a GTS custom ordered equipped with Grp4 flares, Grp4 type wheels, and 345/35VR15 Pirellis. Pictures of a GTS thus equipped can be found in Wyss’ 1981 book on page 126 and his 1991 book on page 231. The Pantera thus equipped quickly evolved into a distinct model and was given the name GT4. A silver (or is it blue?) GTS with Grp4 flares, referred to as a 1979 GT4, can be seen on page 71 of Norbye’s Pantera book. I’m not sure if Peter is interested in these “earliest wide bodies” which sported Grp4 flares.

(2) Latter GT4s/GT5s (1979 - 1980)
Then new bodywork was developed for the GT4 in 1979, i.e. the GT5 bodywork with "running boards" and the deep front air dam we are all familiar with. So there are actually a few wide bodies out there with GT5 bodywork that have data plates referring to them as a GT4, I’ve seen pictures of a red one, I believe it was in Spain. Norbye refers to the red wide body with GT5 bodywork on page 72 of his book as a GT4. Finally Norbye refers to the white GT5 displayed at the 1980 Turin show (page 120) as “the latest GTS”; how’s that for confusion? However I believe by then the name on the data plate had changed to GT5 ... same exact car as the latter GT4 just a new name.

(3) Chassis number verses build date
The Panteras of this era were not necessarily assembled in order of chassis number; it is possible that 9250 was assembled before 9249. I’m not saying that’s the case, but it is possible. So it would be helpful to Peter if assembly date information is included with your findings.

(4) Post Sale GT5s
Owners were so impressed with the wide body GT5 bodywork and the wide Pirelli tires that a good number of GTS, Gp3, and "early GT4" Pantera owners transported their cars to the factory and had them retro-fitted with GT5 bodywork; in other words Panteras originally sold as other models were revised by the factory to become GT5 Panteras "post sale". So while they have lower chassis numbers and earlier build dates such cars cannot possibly be considered as among the earliest GT5s.