We got a 3 page article starting on page 103. A little car history and some personal insight on the authors car. Pick it up!
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That's very cool. I'll seek it out!
For decades, Road & Track magazine was the car enthusiast's bible. In 1971, when they tested a Pantera for the first time, the car overheated and had numerous build quality issues. They described it as "not a finished product". Unfortunately, the "poor build quality" and "overheating" stigma stuck with the Pantera for decades. How many Pantera owners have had strangers walk up to them and ask if their Pantera overheats? You can blame R&T for that.
It seems somehow appropriate that 44 years later, R&T now dismisses those "issues" as easily correctable and insignificant when compared to the Pantera's outstanding qualities.
It seems somehow appropriate that 44 years later, R&T now dismisses those "issues" as easily correctable and insignificant when compared to the Pantera's outstanding qualities.
quote:Originally posted by David_Nunn:
For decades, Road & Track magazine was the car enthusiast's bible. In 1971, when they tested a Pantera for the first time, the car overheated and had numerous build quality issues. They described it as "not a finished product". Unfortunately, the "poor build quality" and "overheating" stigma stuck with the Pantera for decades. How many Pantera owners have had strangers walk up to them and ask if their Pantera overheats? You can blame R&T for that.
It seems somehow appropriate that 44 years later, R&T now dismisses those "issues" as easily correctable and insignificant when compared to the Pantera's outstanding qualities.
Yes, it seems everyone back in the day read that scathing article, but they somehow missed the June 1972 Road & Track article where R&T took notice of the numerous upgrades and improvements made at the factory noting “The Pantera shows signs of being perfectible,” and they congratulated Ford and De Tomaso on the progress that had been made.
Road Test magazine wrote of the 1973 Pantera L, “After numerous refinements, this Italo-American creation has become the ideal car for the true enthusiast.” Road Test also presented the Pantera with its 1973 Import Car of the Year Award.
It's a shame so many happened to miss those articles, but it has helped those of us who bought our cars before the big price increases get some great bargains.
firstpantera, are you the author?
Jeff
Jeff
quote:firstpantera, are you the author?
Jeff
Nope, just a long time R&T reader. In fact, thats where I first discovered what a Pantera was.