It's rare, perfectly restored, with low kimoltage... yet this is the second time this De Tomaso V8 Ford has failed to find a buyer.

The De Tomaso Pantera GT5 is wide, low, aggressive, equipped with a mid-mounted American V8 and designed with all the exuberance of the Italian supercars of the 1980s. Today, it remains one of the most distinctive models of its era. And a particularly rare example has just resurfaced at auction.

This 1984 Pantera GT5, offered by SBX Cars, is not just any car. Firstly, because it is one of only 250 GT5s produced worldwide. Secondly, despite being 42 years old, it is in an impressive state of preservation, with just over 21,500 km on the clock.

An Italian supercar with an American heart

The history of the Pantera is atypical. Founded by Alejandro De Tomaso, an Argentinian living in Italy, the brand had found a unique recipe: combining Italian style with American mechanical robustness. Where Ferrari and Lamborghini relied on engines that were complex and costly to maintain, De Tomaso chose Ford V8s.

Under the hood of this GT5 hides a Cleveland 351 ci V8, announced as matching numbers, developing around 345 hp. All power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed ZF manual gearbox. On paper, the Pantera GT5 claimed a 0 to 100 km/h time of around 5.5 seconds and a top speed close to 260 km/h, very serious figures for the time.

But there's more to the GT5 than its engine. This version, launched in the early 1980s to give the Pantera one last big splash, adopted a spectacular body kit with enlarged fiberglass fenders, imposing rocker panels, front splitter and huge rear spoiler inspired by the Lamborghini Countach. Impossible to go unnoticed.

A very rare configuration

Another eye-catching feature of the model on sale is its configuration. The body is finished in Amarena Metallizzato, a blend of black and purple reminiscent of a black cherry metallic, combined with a burgundy Rosso Rubino leather interior. A particularly 1980s-inspired combination that further enhances its exclusive character.

The car rides on 15-inch aluminum wheels shod with massive Pirelli tires, including 345-wide rear rubber. On board, the atmosphere remains faithful to the analog spirit of the era: Veglia instrumentation, Momo Prototipo steering wheel, gearshift with exposed metal grille and old-fashioned leather upholstery. Even though a more modern Alpine audio system has been added, the overall package retains all the raw charm of Italian supercars of this generation.

85,000 restoration

This Pantera GT5 benefited from a complete restoration estimated at $85,000 under a previous owner. In particular, the engine compartment has been particularly well cared for, with polished elements and red details that highlight the Ford V8. The seller also specifies that the car was known within the Pantera Owners Club of America, a detail that often reassures collectors about the vehicle's follow-up and history.

There are a few minor defects, such as a small crack at the front and slight wear to the driver's seat, but the overall condition is remarkable for a car over four decades old.

Despite its rarity, it remains unsold

And yet, despite its exclusivity, the Pantera GT5 failed to find a buyer. The sale organized by SBX Cars ended after just seven bids, without reaching the reserve price set by the seller. This is not the first attempt. Back in August 2024, the same car was offered for auction on the Collecting Cars platform. Once again, the result was identical: the car remained unsold despite some interest.

This latest failure shows just how complex the market for atypical classic supercars really is. Today, the De Tomaso Pantera enjoys an increasingly strong image among analog car enthusiasts, but it still remains in the shadow of the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the same era. Its blend of American engineering and Italian design appeals to a niche of collectors, without reaching the heights of appreciation of better-known icons.

Paradoxically, this is perhaps precisely what makes the Pantera GT5 so interesting today. Produced in very small series, with spectacular looks and a mechanical system reputedly easier to maintain than some of its Italian rivals, it is gradually beginning to attract more attention from collectors. It now remains to be seen whether this rare GT5 will finally find a buyer on its next attempt.