[DeTomaso] Just the facts survey

Jeff Detrich jjdetrich at gmail.com
Thu Mar 1 12:03:02 EST 2012


Here's my top 10, in no particular order.

Jeff
6559

1. Race bred chassis designed by Gian Paolo Dallara. Dallara designed the
Muira, some Maseratis, and went on to design F1 cars and currently builds
the Indy Car chassis.

2. 14 factory produced Gr4 cars raced successfully at LeMans and are
currently enjoying a comeback at events like Classis LeMans.

3. Uses the ZF transaxle which was also used by the LeMans winning Ford
GT40s, the Bora, and the BMW M1.

4. 7260 cars produced by DeTomaso Automobili from 1971 to 1993 of which
5400 were imported by Ford to the USA from 71 to 74.

5. The Pantera was one of the first production cars to use a mid-engine,
monocoque chassis with a fully independent suspension, well before Ferrari.
 6. There are active owners clubs in the USA, all over Europe, and in other
parts of the world.

7. Properly updated and maintained cars are very reliable. Parts are
readily available and reasonably priced and the car is relatively easy to
maintain, especially compared to other exotics.

8. Tom Tjaarda, designer of the Pantera, also worked at Ghia
and Pininfarina, where he did work for Ferrari and other car companies.

9.  Panteras a good club racers and do surprisingly well against much newer
cars at open road races like the Silver State Challenge and the Big Bend
Open Road Races.

10. The cabin has luxurious creature comforts, including air conditioning,
power windows and brakes, and a large trunk.

11. Pantera restorations are mostly of the "resto-mod" variety. A large
community of vendors produce original and upgraded parts that make the cars
competitive drivers today.

12. The Cleveland Engine is easily massaged to 400 horsepower making the
3200 pound car a great performer, especially compared to other cars of the
era..



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