An Awesome Aussie Racer...........

Wow, I'd like to see that engine from different perspectives.

I know a little bit of this history.

US Ford ceased manufacturing the 351C V8 engine by June 1974. Ford’s Pantera assembly plant in Modena and the Vignale coachworks in Turin were shut down after August 1974. De Tomaso was left without suppliers for the 351C V8 engine or the Pantera’s coach.

De Tomaso acquired approximately 175 unfinished coaches from Vignale (Ghia Operations) before it shut down. And by 1976 De Tomaso had sourced corrazerria Maggiora as a new source for Pantera coaches (actually they were uni-bodies).

Ken Matthews was the Australian De Tomaso distributor in 1974. He agreed to acquire 351C engines from Ford of Australia on behalf of De Tomaso, in exchange De Tomaso allowed vehicles exported to Australia to be shipped “knocked-down” (lacking suspension, drive train, brakes and steering) and assembled in Australia by DeTomaso Australia from 1974 to 1986. By allowing the Australian importer to perform the final assembly of Panteras in Australia, the importer became the manufacturer of record, thus escaping the limitations, taxes and duties levied upon import vehicles by the Australian government. This was the same relationship the US importer Amerisport had with De Tomaso circa 1985 through 1987.

Paul Halstead acquired the De Tomaso importation business from Matthews in 1984, right at the end of production of the 351C in Australia. Halstead's business, the "Toy Shop", assembled De Tomasos, serviced Lamborghinis and Ferraris, and built race cars. It was this business that built the white Pantera race car, which only raced a few races during 1985 and 1986. The Pantera was unbeaten ... but due to rule changes the car was retired in 1987. It was never raced an entire season.

Interviews with Bartlett 2012 and 1985

Bartlett behind the wheel, Amaroo Park, 1985

I gotta agree with JT, that's one helluva drivetrain pictured (14 liters).

The above (now fixed) and below links show a few more views of those 16 cyls, and the rest of the plan.........

http://www.motoring.com.au/new...ar-takes-shape-37587