A bit of history: DeTomaso/Ford built about 5500 Pantera 1971-1974. When Ford decided to kill the project, the only bidder for the assembly plant was DeTomaso, with the aid of the Italian Gov't. Left scattered around in the 'plant' were about 200 unfinished Panteras. Ford destroyed the stamping dies at Ghia where the body panels were made, figuring that was the end of the Pantera. But DeTomaso had retained the Euro sales rights, so he simply finished the 200 'extra' cars at his leisure, while contracting with local firms in the area to duplicate fenders etc by hand. The 200'extra' cars became 1975, '76 and '77 Euro-Panteras. They were pretty much used up by '78, but the local suppliers were then on-line (at much higher prices) and the series continued more-or-less unbroken. I have ridden in '75s & '76 models, and heard of one '77. Not all possible serial numbers need be used under Italian laws. In '79-80, the GT5 was introduced, and 2 yrs later, the GT5-S. All post-'74 cars were Euro-spec, privately imported to the US if they are here, except for the 40-50 Amerisport GT5-S's imported by that company in the mid-80s with much hassle from the Feds. They carry DeTomaso's serial number plus a 12-digit US-federal serial number. There was one "'75" Pantera built & imported for the New York Auto show at the tail end of the project in '74, known as the "7X" prototype. It had crash-proof plastic bumpers frt & rear, and cut-away 'sail panels' like the Maserati Merak in the rear deck for more rear visibility. It was sold after the show to an enthusiast who still owns it.
