Pantera as compared to others

quote:

or are they in a class by themselves?

Welcome to the forum.

I had NO prior sports car experience prior to my purchase back in '02. Just a thirty year dream of ownership.

But my take on Panteras is that they are the red-haired-step-child of the exotics. And we all seem to like it that way.

You own a Pantera for what it isn't - not common, not plastic, not mainstream, not just another cookie-cutter rendition of last year's model.

And you own a Pantera for what it is - beautiful, loud, un-refined, easily worked on, powerful, demanding...and fun.

But probably the best part of owning a Pantera? Becoming part of the De Tomaso Family. Maybe based in part in the-misery-loves-company concept, you'll not ever find a more dedicated, innovative, sharing and caring bunch of car owners in any other automotive marque. The cars by themselves are great - but the cars and owners are awesome.

I would urge you to consider attending the 2008 Las Vegas Fun Rally the first weekend of May. You can immerse yourself in about 150 Panteras of all flavors and styles. Ask questions, take pictures, and learn. Come out to the track event and bum a ride, maybe even a drive, and you'll be hooked.

Larry

...Well Said Larry!! I Got a Tear in MY Eye! LOL...

The Pantera is a different purchase than the Viper or 'Vette. It is an emotional purchase, not a logical one.

You buy the Viper or Vette because you like fast cars and they fit somewhere on the price verses performance curve that appeals to you.

The Pantera is an Italian mistress, once she gets under your skin, you can't resist her charms. No matter how difficult she can be at times, no matter how often she tests your committment to her, no matter how temperamental she can be, you keep coming back. Because those moments you spend with her are exhilirating, when you are with her you think with your heart, not your brain.

I love my Pantera. I love every moment I am behind its wheel, on the open road. There's nowhere I'd rather be. Women come and go, the Pantera is here to stay.

cowboy from hell

v4dis,

I owned and drove Corvettes for years until I could afford my first - and then my second Pantera.

There is really no comparison between a mid-engin Italian exotic (regardless of its age) and any front engined American sports car.

I loved my L82 and ZR1 and loved the power they made. But when you put your foot to the floor in a comparable Pantera the unimaginable explosion behind your ears is the quickest reminder that this is not an American luxury car with a big engine.

Its power is like nothing I ever experienced in my Corvettes. Acceleration is an eyeball jarring experience. But cruising at speed it does not feel as fast as I felt in my Corvettes. The Pantera is very stable and easy to drive - even in the rain it telegraphs what's about to happen long before it does.

Bumper to bumper traffic and parking on busy streets is another story. Not the most fun on a hot day with those fat tires. However, this car is not my daily driver and the only shopping I do in it is cruising the highways hunting for modern supercars to embarrass with my 25 yr old beast.

As fast and as highly regarded as the new Z06 may be, there's no way I would ever trade my Pantera. In fact there isn't a Porsche, Lambo, Ferrari or any other modern supercar that I'd rather own.

And Larry's comment about Pantera owners is right on. We would all be lost without the shared information, assistance, parts and expertise so readily available here. I have made many friends here that will stay with me for life.

I owned a 68 Corvette for six months. I have owned my Pantera for ten years. That about says it all don't ya think??
Ironicaly the Pantera IS unique in that, as far as I know, it is the ONLY mid engined car to ever fullfill the GT intent. We have all heard GT our whole lives but hardly anybody knows what it was meant to be. Gran Turisimo (Grand Touring) was an activity. The idea was some suedo wealthy person could hope in their car with his spouse or significant whatever, and drive at high rates of speed for a sveral hours and arive at the rsort ready for a weekend of partying, or just driving to another resort the next day, and be back to the daily grind by monday. If you were truly rich, meaning you din't ever have to work, you could do this for weeks on end if you wanted. That was grand touring, the adventure was the trip, not the destination. You needed a comfortable car that was fast and held a little luggage. You needed a car that was comfortable while it was going fast. There are lots of front engined cars that do fit the bill. To me, the Corvette or the Viper doesn't fit the bill. The Viper is fast, but not comfortable and will not hold enough luggage. The Corvette is fast and comfortable, but again, not enough luggage. The Pantera is the only mid-engine car ever made that actualy held a significant amount of luggage. It was fast and comfortable. It is the only mid-emgined car in history built to be a true GT car. Unfortunetly for you, it is now a thirty something year old car and would require too much of your time and money to fullfil this fantasy of grand touring. But back when it was new, there were a few lucky souls, who for a few brief years, lived the dream.

You can catagorize a Pantera, but you really can't.
It is anything but practical. It is anything but mainstream. It is anything but suttle.

It is made for the Gucci loafer set but you drive it wearing your sneakers.

It is made to run with the best from anywhere and embarass them with the big honkin' Detroit water irrigation power plant. And it does.

It is an anti-social, anti-green peace, screw you it's the way I like it...vehicle, and it is.

As DT and Marlin have pointed out, you don't need a radio because theme music magically appears from nowhere and plays in the background as soon as you turn the key. Your one good eye begins to tear. I hate that. The patch over the bad eye is a good place to store your spare key.

There is about enough luggage space to carry your hunies mono-kini to your secret beachhouse and enough fuel capcity to get you there with only one fill-up.

There are enough parts to change to keep you busy forever.

I have mine 21 years. A lot of things have come and gone in those years but this silly Italian kit car is somehow still here. Something is definately wrong with me.

quote:

I am curious, are there any here who have owned/driven both the Pantera and the Viper or Corvette? I realize there are many technical changes in all autos over 20 or so years but I am speaking of that "seat of the pants" feel. How do they feel-handle compared to other supercars? It seems I am going to be awhile before I can devote the time I want to pleasure/driving but I still want it to be fun when I do. I know that each car has its own "feel" but is there anything I might have driven to compare to a Pantera or are they in a class by themselves?

Yes, I currently own/drive a 71 Pantera, 94 Gen-1 Viper and have had C1/C2 Vettes,Porsches, 440 CI Jensen Interceptor along with some wanna be muscle cars - Z28's, various SS's, Trans AM's and Mustangs.
Like you, The Pantera was my Childhood Dream car along with 427 cobra's.
Your right - the Viper (my RT-10) and my C1 Vette (that was highly modified) are almost identical as far as pure acceleration, cabin heat and comfort (Whats That!).
I don't buy super cars for comfort, technical gadgets, etc.
Too compare a Pantera with any of the above mentioned cars is impossible. They are not in the same league. As mentioned above - "GRAND TOURING" defines it.
Anybody can buy a "Viper" or a Z06 or ?.
There a a few (Here on the boards and some that are not" that truly understand what a pantera is all about.
To me, (being unconventional) is what it's about. Owning a Pantera is like building the perfect women. There are some you want to date and others you gotta keep. To me the Pantera has the lines of Pam Anderson and Jenna Jameson combined - Now add a few of your own custom mods and you see where im going.
I wouldn't trade my pantera for any other cars I could think of.
As far as people that own them - Like no other groups.They are totally dedicated - will help each other out - Have parties etc. GREAT PEOPLE.

You Know,the vette people wave at each other - but there just isn't enough Pantera on the road - Hell they would forget between seeing each other.

Good Luck on your decission and search.
Greg

Here it is - I had to think about this one.
Driving a Pantera is like flying. Coming outta of a dive and making a low pass straiff run over the the runway about 10' over the deck at 250KTS. You aren't listing to your IPOD (Or shouldn't be) just listening to the prop and the motor as it (Pops, sucks, Blows and Goes) perfectly smooth and in total control.

The perfect (ride)!

Wow, thanks that is exactly the kind of feedback I had hope for.
LF TP 2511 : I will be there. I let myself take two weeks off a year and the 2008 Las Vegas event seems tailored to my needs. Enough time before to learn what questions I need to address then a wealth of experience to draw on.

Cowboy From Hell : Possibly you have found my problem with the two previous tries, the vette and viper, I did look at it from a logical perspective but they never elicited that long term thrill I was hoping for, so possibly I should have let my emotions run a little closer to the top instead of trying to make the 'smart' descision.

Deeb : Thank you, you are the guy I was looking for. I get what you are saying about the "feel" of going fast. The viper always felt like it was going faster even at the same speed. I can't describe it but i think I understand your meaning.

DeTom : "Viper is fast, but not comfortable and will not hold enough luggage. The Corvette is fast and comfortable, but again, not enough luggage. The Pantera is the only mid-engine car ever made that actualy held a significant amount of luggage. It was fast and comfortable. It is the only mid-emgined car in history built to be a true GT car. Unfortunetly for you, it is now a thirty something year old car and would require too much of your time and money to fullfil this fantasy of grand touring."

I got ya. I had not thought of the luggage aspect but that makes a lot of sense. I wish I was well off enough to be a grand tour type but the sad truth is I am far from it, today ... maybe not forever, but I like the idea of having short fantasies as well. No kids so when we take off, we can get away with a two seater but the thought of real luggage room opens up some possibilities. I guess I just wanted to know, if a guy with my abilities (slim but a few)could take it on a week long trip as long as I had kept it up in the previous times. Our best trip the woman and I took last year was in my only (so far) forever car, a 1961 Studebaker Hawk my dad bought new. It is not as easy on the mind as a trip in a new car but the pleasure I derived was much greater.

Pantera Doug : "You can catagorize a Pantera, but you really can't.
It is anything but practical. It is anything but mainstream. It is anything but suttle.

It is made for the Gucci loafer set but you drive it wearing your sneakers.

It is made to run with the best from anywhere and embarass them with the big honkin' Detroit water irrigation power plant. And it does.

It is an anti-social, anti-green peace, screw you it's the way I like it...vehicle, and it is."

Everything you said is what I thought Panteras were about. Probably this is why I am attracted in the 1st place

RT66_Pantera: don't buy super cars for comfort, technical gadgets, etc.
Too compare a Pantera with any of the above mentioned cars is impossible. They are not in the same league. As mentioned above - "GRAND TOURING" defines it.
Anybody can buy a "Viper" or a Z06 or ?.
There a a few (Here on the boards and some that are not" that truly understand what a pantera is all about.
To me, (being unconventional) is what it's about. Owning a Pantera is like building the perfect women. There are some you want to date and others you gotta keep. To me the Pantera has the lines of Pam Anderson and Jenna Jameson combined - Now add a few of your own custom mods and you see where im going.
I wouldn't trade my pantera for any other cars I could think of.
As far as people that own them - Like no other groups.They are totally dedicated - will help each other out - Have parties etc. GREAT PEOPLE

You are another one I was looking for, your having had both gives me an idea of your take on long term. Thanks
One last thing, I', glad I am not the only one who doesn't worry a whole lot about the radio. My better half is always after me to upgrade the stereo. My response has always been " but isn't the motor alone music enough?"

Thanks again to you all. I did not address item by item All the things that were answered for me so far but rest assured, I appreciate the help and information. I will be lurking and you might have to overlook the occasional ignorant question but I promise to only ask after careful searching and consideration.

quote:

It is not as easy on the mind as a trip in a new car but the pleasure I derived was much greater.

The Pantera was made just for you bub. Have at it, but my advice would be to buy one in the absolute best shape you can find. It may seem more expensive, but you will save huge money if you actualy do spend more up front and get the best car you can afford. It doesn't have to be a rare model, just one that has all the upgrades and no rust.

Wait - here's a good one I've used many times:

Driving a Ferrari is like being married to a prima ballerina. Driving a Pantera is like dating a hooker.

A good looking hooker....

A hooker that didn't age. She looks as good as she did 36 years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by deeb:
Driving a Ferrari is like being married to a prima ballerina. Driving a Pantera is like dating a hooker.

I know exactly what you mean.

I took mine to work today, and she spent eight hours on the fifth level of the Yates Street Parkade on Bastion Square waiting for me. By the end of the day, she was ready to romp.

Somehow, I can't imagine jazzing the throttle on the way back down through the parkade in a Ferrari to try setting off some car alarms. Or even wanting to.

But my "hooker", she encouraged me, and she loved it! And man, does she own that concrete enclosure with her sound!


(Oh yeah... 1 alarm. )

HEY! I know where you got that ballerina/hooker line.

V4d1s,

Welcome to the group! The Pantera is everything everyone else already said, and more! Despite being billed as impractical, I found her to be more practical than I ever would have imagined. Mine was so much fun to drive that it instantly became my daily driver when I bought it over 4 years ago. I've only just recently stopped driving it daily due to changing insurance companies. But with a 9 cu.ft. trunk space I can fit my golf clubs, gym bag, and my laptop. Try to do that in a Vette, Porsche, Ferrari, Viper, or whatever! Or, I can fit all of my wife's luggage for a weekend away. And the Pantera is truly a GT car. I've found it to be very comfortable on roadtrips - I think 6 hours is my longest 1-day stint so far. I could have driven it longer but I arrived at my destination.

Check out my "how to buy" page to start your Pantera education:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/how_to_buy.htm

Terry, please tell me where? I've always wondered where it came from.

V4d1s .... I have owned a BB Vette, Gt500, and presently a Cobra, Saleen and 2 Pantera's for some reason my Pantera is the only thing I drive.

I'm full bloaded Italian and if you have ever drove in Italy you will understand a PANTERA.

A Pantera is like an Italian Women ... hot , sexy, fisty, cranky, and sometimes you want to end it all but you still love them and spend your life with them.

One of the best things is very often you are the only one at an event with a Pantera. Most often only the oder generation has a clue what a Pantera is.

Ron

Next August will be my first two years of Pantera ownership. I bought my 74 from a man who owned it for 29 years, and he really wasn't wanting to let it go. But because he was turning 70, and I, a young buck at 53, was in a position to lay down the cash..he let it go to a new home.
I just took my first really long trip two weeks ago up to Santa Cruz, to visit my dear old mom of 81. Its 325 miles from my door to hers. You can go to Disneyland and go on million dollar rides, or ride in someones high tech supercar on a open road...but, it won't compare to the experience of a Pantera ripping along the hot blacktop, gobbling up the long miles with ease. To me, it just more fun to be different from the norm. To drive the car I really wanted when I was only 21.
Yeah, its an old car now...but she has aged VERY well, and the future looks bright.

quote:

Originally posted by TurboTim1:
...its an old car now...but she has aged VERY well, and the future looks bright...

My Italian Mistress has aged much better than its owner has!

v4d1s, Welcome! We just recently joined the Fraternal Order of Pantera Owners. When we pulled into the previous owners driveway. 1717 was sitting there, my wife was already convinced THAT was the one. I was unsure. After reviewing all of the data on the numerous sites the guys here let me know about on what to look for in these cars. We finished our close to 1800 mile journey to bring home this beauty.
This car is so fun to drive. The attention she brings anywhere she is driven is incredible. Just watch the qawkers they sometimes drift into your lane.
My wife and I went to dinner last weekend...we sat near a window to keep a eye on the cat. But at one point we had eight people standing around the Pantera looking at her! Lets see a Z06 do that.
Again Welcome and Good Luck.
Jeff

I didn't know that there were so many female Panteras out there.
I never thought of mine as being male or female.

In hindsight it could explain why it has attached itself to me, is so tempermentatl and so needy.

Maybe when it is time to go, it is a divorce Italian style, and there are no lawyers involved.
Just a big cat fight, a bottle of wine and a shotgun.Hum?

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
...The soul of my Pantera...

Uhhh, I picture my Pantera more like this....

Sophia Loren? OK. I see that I am being led down the road to hell here.

Yup. I've been working on getting the cockpit, ah, the cabin, yea that's it a little more comfortable.

It's more roomy now and I don't like to come out of it. The skins, ah, the leather is nice and soft to the touch.

The controls fall nicely at hand. I can play there for hours.

If you wiggle around a little the seat makes this nice moaning sound.

Yup, it must be female all right.

quote:

Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Sophia Loren? OK. I see that I am being led down the road to hell here.

Yup. I've been working on getting the cockpit, ah, the cabin, yea that's it a little more comfortable.

It's more roomy now and I don't like to come out of it. The skins, ah, the leather is nice and soft to the touch.

The controls fall nicely at hand. I can play there for hours.

If you wiggle around a little the seat makes this nice moaning sound.

Yup, it must be female all right.

... and to think you made fun of me for wanting to screw the exaust pipes. Reminds me of the guy shepard who was caught by his buddies humping a sheep. When they started laughing at him he said he said he knew they did the same thing. They explained it wasn't what he was doing that was funny, but the fact he choose the ugliest sheep to do it with. :P

DT. I have never made fun of you. It just takes me awhile to find the perspective from which you are viewing the world.

It's kinda like playing Twister with regional accents.

Most on this forum know that I have physical limitations and just getting into the Pantera from my power wheelchair can be a challenge. Sometimes I think I should just sell it and act my age. Then I go out to the garage and look at that beauty, climb into it and bring it to life.
The rumble permeates through my entire body and stimulates the senses like no drug could possibly do.

Driving this car provides therapy unavailable anywhere else on the planet. Kids and old alike wave and give a thumbs-up, some even hang out their windows and wave with both hands.

I can think of no other vehicle which gives this exhileration. I'm not disabled, I have a Pantera, and there are few cars which give anything close to the bang this ride offers.

quote:

Originally posted by edmguru:
...The rumble permeates through my entire body and stimulates the senses like no drug could possibly do...