1973 Custom Detomaso Pantera
Price reduction: $49,750 firm
Mileage: 20,900 miles
VIN: THPNNA05923
Moving forces sale of this fantastic Pantera. Timing factors have forced me to price this car far below my ‘go’ price. This near ‘show car’ quality Pantera requires relatively little to bring it back to its car show winning days. Conversely, you can simply drive it and show it as I have done these past 2 ½ years. The first viable buyer who calls gets the keys!
For most of you, this car needs no introduction. However, the work I had performed and condition of the car is known to relatively few, until now. For sale is one of the most recognized Panteras of all time. Known worldwide as “Purgold”, I re-registered this Pantera upon purchasing it in 2010 and brought it back home to California as “Purroro.”
History and Background
Purgold is the creation of George Peloquin, a longtime California resident who built and owned this car until his passing in 2008. It was sold twice until I purchased it in 2010. The previous owner was a dealer who put the care up for sale immediately upon buying it. The owner before registered the car in South Dakota and stored it, from what I know. So practically speaking, this car has had two owners, George and me. George’s relationship with the car was nothing less than a love affair. All you need do is see how much money he invested in the car and read the stories published in Pantera articles written in the early through late 1990’s. This car was often photographed on the streets of Las Vegas attracting a crowd during the Pantera Club annual Fun Rally event or when winning first place in a car show.
As for me, I am a verifiable car enthusiast and perfectionist, a potentially expensive combination. I like things to work right and then to improve them. I purchased this Pantera with 18,900 miles on the odometer. So, over the past 20 months I’ve driven it about 1600 miles. I bought this car to get it to run right and to enjoy it. I never get tired driving it. The look of the car and sound of the engine with headers and exhaust is thrilling to say the least. I will own another Pantera one day.
Summary
This is a rust-free California Pantera with a laser straight body. It runs great and shifts as it should. Upon purchase, my first order of business was base-lining the car and getting it sorted out. I removed the faulty air suspension and installed a new fully adjustable coil-over suspension (Precision Pro-formance). This was followed by electrical work, changing all fluids, installation of a micro-switch emergency brake, micro-LED turn signals, adjusting the shift linkage, engine calibration to tune the fuel injection system (Powertrain Dynamics), window regulators rebuilt (Extreme Pantera), and installation of a new custom billet individual stack intake system similar to those found on a Ford GT (Voss Performance). Lots of other miscellaneous work was also performed.
The paint was fully detailed to restore its amazing luster. This Tom Horvath candy apple paint job is like none other. The depth is amazing! All told, I have parts and repair receipts that exceed $14,000 for work and upgrades I had performed on this Pantera, all done by reputable shops.
Condition
As with any 40-year old car, there’s always more to be done. Mechanically, the car is strong and runs great. With the 4.6 engine installed and radiator upgrade, it runs cool and right in the middle of the temp range. The fuel gage jumps around due to a possible minor ground or electrical issue of some kind. The brakes probably could use a rebuild, although they work fine with 75% pad thickness. Cosmetically, the paint is in excellent condition. There are no dings, dents, rock chips, or scratches of any kind, only a couple of small blemishes. The front lip has a 2” crack near the passenger fog light (not noticeable) from hitting a truck tire tread. The gold finish on the body trim pieces is worn in some areas where the clear coat has degraded or worn off. On the driver’s lower window trim piece, someone painted it vs. having it re-plated in real gold. The Dunlop Sport 8000 tires have at least 80+% tread all around.
The 4.6 L engine was installed sometime after 1993. So, it has much less mileage than what the car has, perhaps only 5-10K miles or so. This is only an estimate but a reasonable one.
This is a show car Pantera and a driver. The looks this car gets and crowds it attracts are impressive, if not entertaining. To return this car to its car show winning potential, the next owner can decide to either keep the gold plating theme and have the trim pieces redone or perhaps change it to a pearl black finish or something else esthetically appealing. I am planning on buying a house, the reason behind my decision to sell this amazing Pantera.
Clean title (pink slip) is in hand. This is a used car with no warranty. It is being sold “as is.” The car is located in Fountain Valley, CA. Please call for questions or to make an appointment to see it. Thanks! Steve 714-962-3366.
Specs
• 1973 Pantera
• Mileage: 20,550
• VIN: THPNNA05923 (built in January 1973)
Body
• Door handles and side markers shaved
• Custom pre-L front bumpers; Rear bumper moved closer to body
• Gold plating on engine components, ZF gearbox, bumpers and trim work
• Candy metal flake paint job and bodywork performed by Tom Horvath
Engine and Related
• 1993 Ford 4.6L V8 DOHC 4V with 6-bolt main bearing caps
• Engine installed and certified by Steve Wilkerson, Wilkerson Pantera
• Motek EFI
• Individual “stack” intake manifolds and filters (K&N Ford GT style)
• Fully polished and gold plated engine and transaxle
• Custom ‘oil catch’ return system
• Upgraded radiator with pusher fans
• SS underside coolant line kit
• Hall “big bore” headers and exhaust
• Dual SS fuel tanks
• No AC (all AC components removed)
• Gold plated oxygen tanks in engine bay were intended for nitrous but were never connected; only for show
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes
• Fully adjustable coil over suspension
• Polished billet aluminum Campagnolo wheels: 205/55 16” \ 335/35 17” Dunlop Sport 8000 tires
• Vented rotors with Wilwood-style calipers (F&R)
• Dual brake reservoirs
• Replaced upper ball joint
Interior
• Fully reupholstered in leather (to original specs)
• Original carpeting in very good condition
• Flat no-hump firewall
• Custom billet aluminum radio delete plate
• Plush floor mats with logo
Misc.
• Brake micro-switch
• Window regulator motors upgraded with brass gears
• Solstice LED fog lamps
• Low profile halogen headlights
• Keyless entry
• Motorized engine bay lid
• Odyssey battery
• New window felts
Here is a link to more photos:
http://photobucket.com/1973PanteraPurgold
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