This is to alert members that I am selling my 1971 Pantera on eBay the week of April 19th. This car is S/N 1024. A search of its provenance indicates that it is actually the third pre-production prototype that was subsequently run through the production line as the 24th production model.
This Pantera has been fitted as a track car. It has a semi-race 351 Cleveland that was built by Joe Lapine of Danbury, CT, one of the few builders of Ford roundy-round motors in the country. It has an Aussie block bored .010 over with Wiseco 10:1 pistons, Chevy pink rods and a 3.70 inch stroker crank. Heads are 351 four-barrel with intake valves reduced in diameter from 2.10 to 2.02 inches. They also have been ported and the intake runners partially filled with Lapine's custom-designed "tongue" inserts to improve flow characteristics. The carb is a custom 750 double-pumper with the choke milled off mated to an Isky Jr. intake manifold. Custom headers connect to a stock exhaust system. After we broke-in the cam on the dyno, we did a quick pull, reaching 570 HP at 6250 RPM. HP was still climbing, but we didn't want to push the engine harder at that point.
The engine is mated, via a lightened flywheel and performance clutch/pressure plate, to a rebuilt ZF series 1 transmission. Spicer-based half shafts complete the drive train. A custom-made fuel cell is located in the stock gas tank position, and a custom-made, eight-row brass radiator provides ample cooling, even in stop-and-go traffic on hot days. Ball joints have been replaced, and the A-arms refitted with polyurethane bushings. The rest of the suspension at this stage is stock, as no track testing/sorting has been done since the rebuild.
The cabin is stripped bare, except for the dash and center console, although all carpeting, door panels, headliner, etc. are available. The heating/AC unit has been removed, but it is available for reinstallation. Corbeau racing seats with six-point competition harnesses have been fitted, as has a full roll cage. The electric windows still are in place and operational. A removable safety net for the driver's window also is provided.
The entire car was rewired, using a Painless Performance 18-circuit system. The brake system consists of a rebuilt stock vacuum booster connected to a twin master cylinder with cabin-adjustable brake bias, Wilwood Superlight II calipers with 1.25" vented rotors on the front, and NOS stock rotors on the rear. The stock emergency brake still is in place. Wheels are the rare single-slot Campagnolos. Tires Pirellis w/ less than 500 miles on them. A custom aluminum battery box with a racing-style charging connector is located in the right rear wheel well.
This car is titled, registered and has passed inspection in VA, so it is "street-legal."
Please email me directly with any questions or comments. jwbowen@salem-hill.com
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