Sold Cars 1971 DeTomaso Pantera Pre-L Series

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Year: 1971
Make: DeTomaso
Model: Pantera Pre-L Series
Engine: 351C 285 HP
Transmission: 5 Spd. ZF
Price: SOLD

We are huge fans of the De Tomaso Pantera since they came out in 1971. We are very proud to have acquired this crazy cool example from its 1st full year of production. The 1st batch of cars known as the “Push-Button” Pantera’s for their door handles were famous for this push button entry, but these earliest cars were plagued by having horrible build issues, while also being under powered they were full of areas of rust that came from poor rustproofing. They were also proven very unrealiable while being tested by all the hip car magazines.

The Pre-L models were more powerful with a solid 330 HP coming from their 4-bolt main 351 Cleveland motors, some say they were rated low for EPA/DOT & actually had more like 380 HP. The ZF 5 Spd. transmissions were used in their older sibling, the Mangusta, with good success.These Pantera’s were loaded with standard luxury items such as power windows & freshly serviced cold factory Air Conditioning. These cars were simply sexy, fast & loud. This Pantera #01992, was built in July 1971, this 2nd batch of cars were known as the “Pre-L” models. It was delivered new to its selling dealer, Lee Douglass Lincoln-Mercury in Mechanicsburg, Pa. on April 5th, 1972. It was sold to its 1st owner, a Mr. Leonard L. Seruka of Emmaus, Pa. on May 13th, 1972. This example is 1 of only 87 Pantera’s ever made in this ultra rare color of “Lime Green” (paint code # 6) & was 1 of only a total of 743 Pre-L models ever produced in 1971. Mr.Seruka financed it & paid it off on June 17th, 1977 (as on its copy of his Pennsylvania title). Mr. Seruka traded this beauty in to Pfeiffer Lincoln-Mercury in Grand Rapids, Michigan on August, 7th, 1980 showing a mere 9199 miles from new. The 2nd owner was from Texas & he owned it for a very brief time. The last owner thru 2015 was a Mr. Jim LaBar from Stuart, Florida whom had it for approximatly 35 years. Jim has a large collection of low mile cool cars. Jim had it painted to a very high quality at that time & it still looks better than a new factory 1971 Pantera finish, even after 35 years. Today Jim is still very active in car collecting & he misses our car very much.

Now showing a total of only 11,600 original miles, this Pantera is one of the finest all original cars we have ever seen or owned. Its interior is immaculate & all original other than currently wearing a nice Momo steering wheel presently. Its undercarriage is what one only dreams of finding…a perfect rust free frame & floors having only the factory undercoating still in place. In fact inside the engine bay you can see chips in this coating that show its original Lime Green color showing thru all over. It has its matching #’s 351 motor & tranny. We also have a copy of its “Marti” report to verify all our findings. Other than an added Holley Carb for better performance & a set of extremely rare 8 & 10″ factory GTS wheels, this car is all original. This is a real all original Pantera that we’ve only ever seen once before on our prized 1974 GTS we have just sold having only 3085 miles on it from new. This example of DeTomaso’s best selling car is one of the best & premier examples in the World & we welcome you to do an on-hand inspection to show you one of the best original & lowest mile cars left. She was just serviced & is ready to show off at any PCNA event or any Concours event of choice.