[DeTomaso] Pantera GR4 # THPNMA 05855

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/7/09 7 31 11, kirby.schrader at gmail.com writes:


> Does anyone know anything about this car?
> 
> Pantera GR4 # THPNMA 05855
> 

It's a very well-known car that has languished for sale on the market for 
many years now.   Five years?   Seven? Seems like forever.   Photos of the car 
here:

http://www.collection-cars-sales.com/sale-file.php?id=661

(I don't think it is at this dealer any longer; I think it was sold and 
re-sold at least twice since this ad was put out).

Its history is documented fully in the De Tomaso racing book, and it seems to 
have been photographed just about everywhere; there are lots of pictures of 
this car in the book because its most well-known owner raced it seemingly every 
day!

It started life as a white 1974 factory Gr3 car, which was sold to a Swiss 
driver racing under the pseudonym "Wicky".   He only had it for about a year 
before it was sold to the Italian privateer outfit Interauto.   It raced in Gr3 
in the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans (wearing number 7) but failed to finish.   It 
was entered under the Beurlys International Auto banner, driven by a Frenchman 
named Pietro Polese and an Italian hiding under the pseudonym "Willer".

Afterwards it was sold to an Italian using the pseudonym "Kabibo", who 
converted it to Gr4 specification.   The front flares look like factory flares but 
the rear ones have a very home-made appearance to them and don't look like the 
factory flares at all.

"Kabibo" then raced the hell out of the car, turning up at every major race, 
minor hillclimb and grudge match in Italy it seemed, from 1977 to 1983.   At 
some point along the way, the car received some extensive modifications to the 
rear suspension (from what I've herad from somebody who went to look at it a 
few years back).   It was sold to France and went into storage and ever since 
then, it has perpetually been for sale.   It has traded hands a few times, but 
the new owners immediately put it back on the market and I don't know if it's 
been driven since its heyday in the 70s/80s.

All this info is derived from the De Tomaso racing book.   Speaking of which, 
as far as I know I am the only source for them in the USA; all the major 
retailers sold out long ago.   I only have about a half-dozen copies left, and 
once they're gone, that's it.   So if you've ever wanted one, you'd better act 
fast!

The cover price is $99 plus $10 shipping; cost to POCA members is $80 plus 
$10 shipping.

Cheers!

Mike




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