1972 De Tomaso Pantera GTS Group 3

Chassis No. THPNMY04692
Engine No. 351/03667
Transmission No.10425

From 1972 to 1984, De Tomaso offered customers the opportunity to special-order the Pantera for FIA Group 3, Group 4, or Group 5 competition. Of these, the Group 3-prepared examples resembled the production Pantera the best, reflecting the FIA's restrictive Series Production Grand Touring Cars regulations. The Group 3 cars were fitted with Koni adjustable shocks, staggered 15-inch Campagnolo wheels, and essential safety equipment including a roll bar, lightweight acrylic windows, and racing bucket seats. Yet these cars remained surprisingly civilized, with buyers able to specify amenities such as air conditioning, electric windows, and even a radio. The Pantera's 5.8-liter Ford V8 received a Holley four-barrel carburetor, reinforced camshaft, and 10-liter oil pan, bringing output to 336 PS with power sent through a five-speed closed ratio transmission with a heavy duty clutch and limited-slip differential. This potent combination proved immensely fruitful, with Group 3 Panteras claiming victories at events across Europe.

This 1972 De Tomaso Pantera GTS was ordered new to the Del Mastro family through Automobili Bordese, the premier Ferrari dealership in Turin, as documented in its original De Tomaso Order Form dated 17 November 1972. Italian registration documents show that the Pantera remained with its original owners until 1993, when it was purchased by the Del Prete family, who commissioned a comprehensive restoration by the official De Tomaso workshop in Modena the following year. An extensive file of invoices and album of photos carefully detail this restoration, which included a repaint from its original silver finish to red.

In 2000, the Pantera was entrusted to SALA William Racing-De Tomaso's factory competition outfit based in Modena made famous for their Group 5 Panteras-for a careful conversion to Group 3 competition standards. An included telefax from De Tomaso Modena dated in October of that year confirms the car's adherence to Group 3 specification, which is further detailed in a 2007 Declaration of Conformity from SALA William Racing. The Pantera was purchased in 2006 by its final Italian owner, before being exported to France.

For the past 15 years, this Group 3 Pantera GTS has enjoyed a storied career in historic competitions all over Europe, with repeated appearances in a roster of prestigious events including Tour Auto in 2010 and 2022-winning its class at the 2010 rendition. The Pantera has also participated in the 2007 Vorderpfalz Classic, 2010 Rally Portugal Histórico, and 2017 Historic Tour Nogaro.

Offered with an FIA Historic Technical Passport valid until 2032 and extensively documented from new, this 1972 De Tomaso Pantera GTS remains eligible for a variety of prestigious classic motorsport celebrations. It invites its next caretaker to continue its storied vintage racing journey, offering an equally rare and capable entry into the pinnacle of historic competition.