Description:

De Tomaso Pantera Group 4

Automobilli DeTomaso Australia, was my Engineering Company that supported the Famous North Sydney Toy Shop Car retailer.

Automobilli DeTomaso Australia imported DeTomaso Pantera’s, Longchamp’s and Deville’s’ in knockdown form and without Engines. We also exported 100+ Ford Australia Cleveland V8’s, to Italy, earning us valuable export Credits.

On one of my many trips to the factory in Modena in the early 80’s to place my order for the following year, Alejandro took me on a tour of his facilities including his museum that contained one off Engines and Cars that he had built. I saw a 1972 Group 4 shell and asked if he would sell it for our proposed race car project. I told him that we had Barry Lock, who headed up our Engineering team and was, formerly a McLaren F1 and CanAm car design engineer and who would be in charge of the build the car.

When our next shipment arrived Alejandro included the Group 4 body.

It’s condition, while unused, was not in good shape. The alloy doors, Engine cover and front cover were quite heavy and the Perspex sliding windows were opaque and unusable.

Barry Lock then came up with a radical plan that was within the Australian GT rules.

Barry’s proposal, which we subsequently built, is the car, after 40 years of continuous ownership, that I am now offering for sale.

The GT Rules behind the build process:

The Roof, A&B frames, Sills remain in place. The Original glass windscreen was used and fitted to the original frame.  Original doors must be able to be fitted together with the front cover and rear cover but all can be made of lighter material.

Front and rear guards were free.

Barry had Momo in Italy cast the four bespoke uprights and Bellhousing as well as 10 bespoke Centre lock wheels, 16 X 15 and 16 x 12, cast to his design in Magnesium alloy.

The VG Hewland Transaxle was purchased new and was the strongest 5 speed available. We also purchased many spare ratios that come with the sale.

The car, when completed, was 980 Kg’s, Just under the minimum weight.

All suspension was Bespoke Pullrod suspension with Koni F1 Dampers.

The Pantera only raced 4 times in 1985 and easily won all races. At Winton they combined the GT Cars with the Sports cars for Round 3 of a combined National Championship. Driven by Kevin Bartlett, the Pantera lapped the entire field.

CAMS subsequently banned Ground Effects from the beginning of 1986.

Rather than “Dumb” the Pantera down by putting a flat floor on it as CAMS mandated, I very carefully packed the car in a container for 30 years.

I have subsequently stripped and checked everything. I replaced all the tanks and all hoses. Built new extractors and a complete new engine with the best componentry in the world but all Historically correct like the Detomaso / NASCAR heads banned from NASCAR in 1982. After two years CAMS have finally allowed it to race in Historic racing as a full Ground Effects Car, as that was the only way it ever raced.

It is the only Historic “Ground Effects” Sports car, GT car eligible to race in Australia.

The new engine has been designed to have a flat torque curve to make it easier for the driver to concentrate on steering and braking and not changing gears, extremely helpful in a ‘’Ground Effects’’ car.

500 Ft. Lbs at 4600 RPM almost flat to 454 Ft Lbs at 7000 RPM

441 BHP at 4600 RPM to 608 BHP (Maximum power) at 6900 RPM

The Engine was run on the Dyno and held at 7500 RPM

IN SUMMARY:

De Tomaso Pantera GROUP 4.

One owner Group 4 Pantera. Built on a Factory supplied body in 1983\1984 by Mc Laren F1 and CANAM Design Engineer Barry Lock.

Raced four times and never defeated. Then CAMS outlawed ‘’Ground Effects” Never had an accident. Perfectly rebuilt included certified crack testing after 30 years of professional storage.

It was then run at the Phillip Island Classic 2016 and driven by Ex F1 and 6 x Time Bathurst winner Larry Perkins.

Post the event it was decided and new engine was required which was completed 2022.

New period correct Engine, specifically designed for “Ground Effects’’. New alloy Tanks and all new plumbing.

Spare unused “Ground Effects” tunnels.

10 Magnesium MOMO Bespoke wheels.

Spare Gear ratios and many other spares.

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