1973 DeTomaso Pantera Delivered to Ford Offered on BaT

A 1973 DeTomaso Pantera, delivered new to Ford as a pool vehicle, is now listed on Bring a Trailer with a 351 V8 and ZF gearbox. Explore full details and history.

A 1973 DeTomaso Pantera has appeared on Bring a Trailer, offering a reminder of just how unusual the early 1970s could be for performance cars. Bidding is currently at $55,000, with the auction set to end on February 20.

This particular Pantera stands out thanks to its early history. Built in December 1972, it was delivered new to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, where it reportedly served as a pool vehicle within Ford’s corporate fleet. Commenters on the listing speculate that cars like this may have been temporarily assigned to executives before being sold off, although the listing itself does not provide documentation confirming that detail.

Mechanically, the car remains true to the Pantera formula. Power comes from a mid-mounted 351ci Ford Cleveland V8 paired with a five-speed ZF manual transaxle, sending power to the rear wheels. The seller notes that the carburetor was adjusted in preparation for the sale, and the engine has been fitted with a Holley Hi-Tek air cleaner assembly.

The body left the factory finished in red, though it has been repainted at some point. Exterior features include pop-up headlights, black impact bumpers, quad exhaust outlets, and an aftermarket rear wing. The photo gallery also highlights bubbling on the left front fender, suggesting cosmetic issues that may require attention.

Silver-finished 15-inch Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels are fitted with Goodyear tires sized 205/60. The Pantera rides on a four-wheel independent suspension, while braking is handled by power-assisted disc brakes at each corner.

Inside, black vinyl bucket seats are paired with a gated shifter, air conditioning, power windows, latch-and-link belts, and an aftermarket cassette stereo with Pioneer speakers. The dashboard features a Veglia 200-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, and additional gauges mounted in the center stack. The five-digit odometer shows 29,000 miles.

The car was acquired by the selling dealer in 2025 and is offered with a Deluxe Marti report, which provides factory build details, equipment listings, and production statistics based on Ford archive data. The listing also notes that the Florida title is marked as a duplicate.

Discussion under the auction suggests bidders are intrigued, but cautious. Several commenters point to potential engine concerns and the likelihood that the car will need significant mechanical and cosmetic attention. With Panteras in stronger condition often commanding higher prices, the current bid may reflect buyers factoring in the cost of future work.

Even so, the appeal is clear. Between its Ford corporate history and the unmistakable Pantera combination of American V8 power with Italian styling, this example could still draw stronger bidding as the auction approaches its final days.