Given that 1974 was the last year Ford produced the 351C, did all post-1974 Panteras (other than the SI) come with Australian-built 351Cs?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
One must suppose there were some left overs going into some cars after '74, but I have never really seen this issue addressed anywhere.
Given the record keeping in general of our cars, I doubt if anyone in Modena tracked the source of the motors installed.
Larry
Given the record keeping in general of our cars, I doubt if anyone in Modena tracked the source of the motors installed.
Larry
I ask because there was a 1985 GT5 with a Clevelandat a local cruise-in yesterday. Hard to believe deTomaso had leftovers 11 years after the last import car left the factory. I'd like the facts since I end up spilling my guts about Panteras all evening long and couldn't explain to myself how the '85 could have a Cleveland.
Ron
Ron
Aussie or Ohio, they are all commonly referred to as 351 Clevelands.
I suspect the '85 had an Aussie block. I don't believe there are any obvious clues to casually determine from an engine bay where a Cleveland block came from.
Larry
I suspect the '85 had an Aussie block. I don't believe there are any obvious clues to casually determine from an engine bay where a Cleveland block came from.
Larry
Ron,
The 351C was produced in the US from mid 1969 to mid 1974. They were exported to Australia from 1970 to 1974. Australia began domestic production of the 351C in 1972, but US imports continued flowing into Australia through 1974.
All 351C's produced in Australia had small port heads, including those equipped with 4 barrel carburetors (Australia does not use the 2V - 4V nomenclature). However, after US production ceased in 1974, a significant number of surplus US motors were left over as new old stock in Australia. The relationship between deTomaso & US Ford was bad after the split, which occured I believe in September 1973. When deTomaso resumed production of Panteras after Ford shut down the Fossalta factory, they sourced the 351C from Ford of Australia. The earliest motors sourced from Australia were actually surplus US manufactured 4V motors, but when that supply of US made 4V motors dried up, they resorted to purchasing Australian made 351C motors, which all had the small port (2V) - open chamber style heads.
Australia ceased production of the 351C in 1982, between 1983 and 1989 the 351C's installed in Panteras were surplus, new old stock motors from Australia.
The last several Panteras produced in 1989, before production of the Pantera Si began, were equipped with 351W motors sourced from US Ford. DeTomaso had re-established relations with US Ford, had made arrangements to use a fuel injected 5 liter V8 in the Si, and even had plans to import the Pantera Si to the US.
Ron (accobra) owns a mid '70s GTS with an Austalian sourced American 4V motor.
your friend on the DTBB
The 351C was produced in the US from mid 1969 to mid 1974. They were exported to Australia from 1970 to 1974. Australia began domestic production of the 351C in 1972, but US imports continued flowing into Australia through 1974.
All 351C's produced in Australia had small port heads, including those equipped with 4 barrel carburetors (Australia does not use the 2V - 4V nomenclature). However, after US production ceased in 1974, a significant number of surplus US motors were left over as new old stock in Australia. The relationship between deTomaso & US Ford was bad after the split, which occured I believe in September 1973. When deTomaso resumed production of Panteras after Ford shut down the Fossalta factory, they sourced the 351C from Ford of Australia. The earliest motors sourced from Australia were actually surplus US manufactured 4V motors, but when that supply of US made 4V motors dried up, they resorted to purchasing Australian made 351C motors, which all had the small port (2V) - open chamber style heads.
Australia ceased production of the 351C in 1982, between 1983 and 1989 the 351C's installed in Panteras were surplus, new old stock motors from Australia.
The last several Panteras produced in 1989, before production of the Pantera Si began, were equipped with 351W motors sourced from US Ford. DeTomaso had re-established relations with US Ford, had made arrangements to use a fuel injected 5 liter V8 in the Si, and even had plans to import the Pantera Si to the US.
Ron (accobra) owns a mid '70s GTS with an Austalian sourced American 4V motor.
your friend on the DTBB
Thanks for update, George. Just what I needed to fill in the blanks. Yet another reason that makes the Pantera so very interesting to own...
Ron
Ron
YEs George is correct my 79GTS has a DZAE block with 2bolt mains and 4v heads 100% original .. the Ford blue is darker then normal ... LOL thats about all I can see exept for the Spread bore intake and carb and maybe some added emissions.
Ron
Ron
After 1973 they should have called the motors
"351S" S for Sydney Australia!
That my two cents....
LOL
Dennis
"351S" S for Sydney Australia!
That my two cents....
LOL
Dennis