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Seldom-Seen De Tomaso Pantera 90 Si Could Be Yours
With its Italian flair and American muscle there was much to love about the De Tomaso Pantera, but reliability wasn’t exactly this Seventies supercar’s strongest suit. Just ask Elvis Presley, who was so frustrated with his 1974 Pantera that he shot it.
Even though more than 7000 examples were sold, with around 5000 finding homes in the U.S.A. De Tomaso was in dire straits by the early 1990s and, in a last-ditch attempt to save the company, hired Marcello Gandini to revamp the original Ghia design.
The result was the Pantera 90 Si, which came with a smoother look, together with a variety of updates to the chassis and powertrain. Out went the original Ford Cleveland V-8 to be replaced by the five-liter unit from the Ford Mustang, with further modifications including uprated cylinder heads, intake manifolds, camshafts, valves and pistons. Some 305 horses were sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed ZF manual transmission, and gave the Si a top speed over 150 mph.
De Tomaso also took the opportunity to finesse the car’s handling by lightening the chassis, modifying the suspension and fitting more substantial Brembo brakes with drilled discs.
Unfortunately, the Si was launched into falling market for exotics and only 38 were sold, but now you could be the proud owner for an estimated $150,000-$200,000. The car in question is for sale at RM Sotheby’s Miami auction on February 28 and is finished in striking Giallo, with a jet black Nero leather interior.
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It was originally delivered to an owner in Germany and then spent time in Belgium. At some point this Pantera was actually retro-modded with the fitment of a carbureted Ford 351 Cleveland V-8 and subsequently shipped to the U.S.A. It’s covered less than 12,000 miles and has benefitted from a new carburetor, distributor and ignition for added reliability. Elvis would approve.
I would rather have the original version.
Totally agreed. And that wood dash … that’s special!
The wing at the base of the windshield is a unique touch. Overall, the styling is Pantera meets BMW M1, I like it and love the dash.
I also like it better that the first design
I do like the interior, too. The body design looks like a late model Lotus Esprit to me, IMO.
When I first saw this I thought ‘oh! an article about the Lotus Esprit!’ LOL. I look the look of the older Pantera much more. If I were considering one of these I would get the Lotus.
*Like the look…
Seldom seen…. understandable, with a total world production of 43 Pantera Si’s ’91-’93. I think there are 4 in the U.S
Definitely looks like a late model Lotus Esprit. The 4 cylinder turbos – like the one in Pretty Woman – can be had pretty cheap these days, probably for a third or a quarter of what this is projected to sell for.
The Lotus will have more “shop time” than this probably. It’s not the price of the toy, it’s the upkeep, which will hurt you.
I’ve seen quite a few Panteras, never seen this bodykitted/winged version before.