1974 DeTomaso Pantera GTS America, 785 miles-since new, 1 of 133 GTS US models!

1974 De Tomaso Pantera GTS America

MotoExotica is proud to offer this unique example of Italian flair blended with American muscle, a 1974 De Tomaso Pantera GTS America with only 785 miles on the clock since new; it is most likely the lowest mileage GTS in our solar system!

Highly unique at one of 133 models made for the United States, this Ghia-bodied garnet red and black cat (“Pantera” is Italian for panther) spent part of its life at a Ford dealership showroom and has just 785 actual miles on its odometer! Factory correct GTS model as “GT” replaced “PN” in the VIN and chassis number 7005 is in the correct GTS vin sequence. The car has Ford’s 351 CID Cleveland V-8 engine mounted just behind the seats with an Autolite 4V carburetor and the engine is mated to a ZF synchronized five-speed manual transmission. Other driver assist options include air-conditioning, power disc brakes, power windows, tinted glass and full instrumentation.

Outside, this Pantera GTS America bears significant Ford-approved cosmetic changes that year – all traces of the De Tomaso name were removed, blacked-out trim replaced the previous chrome, fiberglass fender flares–a U.S. only option–came pop-riveted to the body, “Pantera GTS” badging surfaced on the rocker panels and wheel centers with a “Power by Ford” badge on the rear deck lid. Highly desirable, this red two-door is highlighted by a black hood, trunk and lower body-side accents. Car has Ghia badges on nose and front fenders and rides on Goodyear Arriva tires, H60V15R in back, and C60V15R in front, with 15-inch Campagnolo Magnesium sport wheels. It is equipped with 15×9″ Campys on the front and rarely-seen 15×10″ Campys on the rear with good stickers still affixed to each hub. Vehicle bumpers comply with the new U.S. Government crash standards put into effect for 1974.

Inside, a custom, leather-wrapped, three-spoke Ghia Ferrero steering wheel greets the driver as he swings into the low-slung black bucket seat, facing the 200-mph speedometer and 8000-rpm tachometer. The seats and carpet are in as new condition as is the headliner, dashboard and center console. With the rear window immediately behind his head, the driver keys the engine on and watches as the column of driver-facing ancillary gauges on the console move as the V-8 engine roars to life. He moves the gated shifter into first gear, lets out the clutch and rolls out. This is a radio delete GTS, but with that engine, this Pantera definitely makes its own music.

This particular GTS was bought new by Paul Zankovich. Mr. Zankovich purchased two GTS Panteras at the same time – one to drive and one to preserve. He owned the car from 1975 until he sold it in 1987. It was quickly turned around and sold to a man in South Carolina. At the time of purchase, the car only had 701 miles on it! The second owner added 46 miles driving it around town and to and from a few car shows during four years he owned it.

In 1991, it was sold to owner #3 in Colorado. The odometer read 747 miles. While in his hands, he added only nine miles! In 1998, with only 756 miles, the car was sold again. From 2009 to this year, the car was at a Ford dealer in Louisville, Kentucky.

First surfacing in Lincoln-Mercury showrooms in late 1971, the De Tomaso Pantera had been introduced in Modena, Italy and displayed at the New York Auto Show a year earlier. By 1974, many improvements had been made to the Pantera but none was more essential than the addition of the Ford 351 Cleveland V-8 engine with four-bolt mains, a higher-performance cam and reduced compression to comply with U.S. emission standards of the day. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!!

Comparable examples to this car in 1974 are the Chevrolet Corvette, the Porsche 911, Ferrari Dino 246 GTS and the Ford GT40.

Current mileage on the odometer shows 785 miles. According to documents, it is understood these are actual miles. It is sold as is with an actual mileage title. Title further shows car was previously titled in the state of California.

VIN:THGTNE07005

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