When this astonishing De Tomaso When Pantera was put up for sale a few weeks ago by Jim Farley, many already imagined that it would far exceed the usual estimates for a Pantera. But few expected such a result. The hammer finally fell at $293,000, an impressive sum for this Italian-American supercar with a totally atypical past.
And it has to be said that this Pantera is not just any old sports car. Before it became part of the Ford boss's personal collection, before it found its way into a museum, before it even became a sought-after collector's item, it had a far more astonishing function: to serve as Ford's company car in the 70s.
An Italian supercar used simply as a company car
Today, to imagine a supercar being used as an in-house vehicle in a major corporation seems totally unrealistic. Yet that's exactly what happened with this yellow Pantera delivered new to Ford Aerospace in the early 1970s.
At the time, Ford was distributing the Pantera on the American market via its own network. The alliance between the American manufacturer and De Tomaso gave birth to a unique car: an Italian design by Tom Tjaarda, a chassis developed with the help of Giampaolo Dallara, and a huge Ford 351 Cleveland V8 installed behind the seats.
This “Pre-L” version, recognizable by its separate chrome bumpers, was one of the first Panteras produced. And unlike many examples modified over the decades, this one above all has a history that almost no other Pantera can claim.
A car that has stood the test of time
After its time at Ford, the car was registered in California in 1974, before virtually disappearing for almost twenty years. It then reappeared in a museum, where it remained on display for 18 years, as if frozen in time. But its story took an unexpected turn in 2018. During an initial auction attempt, a potential buyer loses control of the car during a test drive and damages it. Fortunately, the damage was essentially cosmetic, and the Pantera was subsequently restored.
In 2024, Jim Farley finally bought the car for around $121,000. For the Ford executive, a great car enthusiast, this Pantera represented much more than a simple old sports car. It embodied a forgotten piece of the American brand's history, a time when Ford dared to market an Italian exotic equipped with an in-house V8.
Restoration faithful to the original spirit
Since its purchase, the Pantera has benefited from a major mechanical overhaul. Its 351 Cleveland V8 has been completely reworked, with a preparation that now enables it to exceed 400 horsepower at the wheels.
The aim was not to transform the car into a modern restomod disconnected from its era, but rather to retain its raw character while improving reliability and enjoyment. Modernized suspension, revised braking, restored interior with upholstery blending black vinyl and houndstooth fabric, discreetly upgraded audio system: everything was designed to preserve the car's soul. And clearly, the result convinced the bidders.
A sale that hides an unexpected family history
After the sale, a particularly interesting detail appeared in the auction comments. The final buyer, known by the pseudonym “benkopf”, explained why this Pantera represented so much more than a simple "coup de coeur" purchase. He revealed that he had recently financed the creation of a car museum in his region. The inaugural exhibition will be dedicated to Ford between 1926 and 2026. The problem? He needed a truly striking car to represent the 70s. The Pantera was the obvious choice.
Above all, the buyer's family history has been intimately linked with Ford for over a century. His grandfather began working for Ford in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, before becoming Ford's manager in Japan in the 1920s, where he helped open the Yokohama assembly plant. After the Second World War, Henry Ford himself came to welcome his grandfather back to the United States. The story continues with his father becoming a Ford dealer, then with himself continuing the family tradition.
With a final price of $293,000, this De Tomaso Pantera has clearly changed its status on the collector's market. This is well above the price of many classic Panteras, but the exceptional history of this example easily explains the craze.
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