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1971 - De Tomaso Pantera Gr. 4 FIA "Bonneville
Chassis n° TH…
See original version (French)
57
-
1971 - De Tomaso Pantera Gr. 4 FIA "Bonneville
Chassis n° TH…
See original version (French)
Estimate €200,000 - €300,000
Voluntary lot
Description
1971 - De Tomaso Pantera Gr. 4 FIA "Bonneville
Chassis n° THPNLL01508
British registration document, vehicle cleared through French customs
Prepared racing car, including roll bar, sold without technical inspection
"The fastest Pantera ever!
At the 1970 New York Motor Show, De Tomaso presented its latest model, the Pantera, with new ambitions. Indeed, the previous model, the Mangusta, had been only a partial success, as the car proved so fragile and tricky to drive. The Italian firm therefore called on engineer Gianpaolo Dallara, co-designer of the legendary Miura. Derived from its big Mangusta sister, the Pantera ended up being the marque's greatest success, with over 7,200 examples produced.
A true sports car, it features a self-supporting steel body. Originally presented in association with Ford, which supplied the V8 engine for the Mustang, the first version was a great success, despite being limited by industrial requirements and American standards. This success was also evident in competition: Le Mans, Sebring, Monza, Silverstone, Nürburgring... It was one of the emblematic GT cars of the 1970s on circuits the world over.
The Pantera presented here is an interesting version of the early models, which began life in the USA as a touring car before being transformed into a racing car in 1980 by two brothers with the aim of setting speed records at Bonneville on a salt lake. With a rebuilt engine and a longer gearbox ratio, the first record attempt fell to 183mph. The following year, with the car sharpened, the 200 mph barrier was smashed, and the car reached 201.2 mph, a world record.
The car was subsequently exported to Sweden in 2003 and then to Denmark, where Aquila Racing Cars carried out its first Group IV conversion. Based on the same Cleveland V8 as the production Pantera, the competition engine is fitted with aluminium cylinder heads. This reduces engine weight and increases compression. Now fitted with four Weber carburettors and aided by GT40-inspired 'spaghetti' exhausts, the V8 would develop around 500 bhp. Thus began a long career in historic racing in Europe. Resold in 2016, the car underwent a complete body and mechanical restoration at the TDS Racing workshop.
In France, it made a number of appearances in the Tour Auto, notably in 2018. The PTH will be renewed in 2022. An overhaul has just been carried out, with a check-up of the Weber carburettors and an oil change. To return to the track and the special stages, the seats and harnesses will have to be changed.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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