1973 De Tomaso Pantera L 06038
SPECIFICATIONS
- Year1973
- MakeDetomaso
- ModelPantera
- SN06038
- Owners2
We are pleased to offer 1973 De Tomaso Pantera “L” (Lusso) model s/n 06038, a two-owner California car documented back to the date first sold on 28 June, 1974. The “L” model Pantera is unquestionably among the most attractive of the exotic automotive designs of the late 1960s and early 1970s golden-era of Italian supercars. The “L” model also featured many factory upgrades and updates that resolved most of the problems and issues the earlier Panteras’ experienced. Indeed, it was so improved that the “L” model De Tomaso Pantera was named Road Test Magazine’s Import Car of the Year in 1973, beating Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, and Porsche. Thanks to the sleek body lines penned by Tom Tjaarda and coachwork by Ghia, the Pantera features a long, low hood line, a compact yet comfortable cabin and an abrupt cutoff Kamm tail rear—trademark styling of other early 1970s mid-engined supercars such as the Lamborghini Miura and the Maserati Bora. Abundant power and torque were supplied thanks to an ultra-dependable, mid-mounted, 4–bolt main 5.7-liter, 351 Ford Cleveland engine. While the original Pantera was easily capable of the supercar performance levels of the Miura and far quicker than the Maserati Bora, the Pantera was also known for its effortless torque at both low and high speeds and ultra-low cost maintenance. The lightweight small-block Ford 351 was mounted deep in the chassis, permitting the sweeping rear profile, while lots of rubber on the ground meant great handling. Thanks to a low center of gravity, excellent weight distribution, minimal weight on the front end, a bullet-proof 5-speed ZF transaxle, a powerful clutch and more-than adequate A/C, the Pantera is user-friendly, easy to drive, predictable, balanced and forgiving.
1973 De Tomaso Pantera s/n 06038 was built in July, 1973 and first sold (and registered in California) by Burbank Lincoln Mercury on 28 June, 1974 to Robert “Bob” Bodnar who paid $10,500 for Pantera s/n 06038. Mr Bodnar kept Pantera “L” s/n 06038 from 1974 until sold to the second (and last) owner on 12 Feb., of 2009. While in Mr. Bodnar’s ownership s/n 06038 was serviced by both Hall Pantera and by PI Motorsports and treated to many of Hall Pantera’s updates. An aluminum radiator with dual fans and stainless steel pressure and overflow tanks were added to keep it cool. An updated and improved brake master cylinder, a Lecarra steering wheel and a Hall Pantera oversized shift knob and Hall Pantera floor mats were also added. Additional upgrades from Hall Pantera included an adjustable rear camber bar and axle half shafts. In 1995 Pantera s/n 06038 was stripped and painted from its original silver to a high quality blue-gray. In 2001 the engine was rebuilt using Keith Black Pistons, an Isky performance cam and an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and performance Holley carb were installed, topped with a Hall Pantera engine dress up kit including valve covers and air cleaner. We have a copy of the engine build sheet on file. In 2002 a set of 9′ x 17′ front and 11′ x 17″ rear HRE wheels were installed.
When sold to the second owner in Feb. of 2009 Pantera s/n 06038 had 76,138 miles and was little used by the second owner. Today she has only 76,622 miles! Pantera s/n 06038 is finished in very elegant non-metallic blue-gray over a dent-free body with what we believe is an all original black interior, a color combination that beautifully integrates the front bumper and body lines. The body and chassis are accident free, rust free and are clean underneath and topside. It is mounted on a set of glistening HRE wheels mounted with an excellent (but dated) set of Pirelli Supersport 235/40 ZR 17 front and 315/35 ZR 17 rear tires. Cosmetically, this is an excellent Pantera. The panels are straight and panel fit is excellent. The twenty-three year old paint is excellent and the bright trim is in good condition, as are the lights and glass. The car is solid and devoid of rust, which is a rare thing, and it certainly bears being highlighted as one of the most important characteristics of this car. Pantera s/n 06038 runs and drives extremely well with great power through the RPM range. The engine is well-tuned and sounds as it should, with the quintessential American V8 rumble. The car is powerful and moves easily through modern traffic. The bulletproof ZF transaxle shifts superbly, with excellent synchromesh, even when cold. The brakes are effective, and the steering and suspension are free from any play. There are zero overheating problems thanks to the upgraded cooling system. Because the interior seems to be all original (excluding the Hall Pantera carpets) there is a split seam in the driver’s seat and cracking in the plastic center console cover. While the paint shows very well for it’s age and is almost dent free, there are the usual minor chips one would expect.
This is a great opportunity to acquire a two-owner, well documented, rust free, US-delivered, always Southern California owned Pantera in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. It is a structurally excellent example that makes a strong cosmetic impression and delivers exceptional performance, retaining the purity of the early 1970s cars. Pantera s/n 06038 gives Daytona performance at 1/5 the cost, with much lower maintenance. Even better, unlike other Italian exotics of the period, there’s no valves to adjust, no cams to time, no multiple carbs to tune, no cam seals to leak and no cam belts to replace, ever. User friendly, especially with all the Hall Pantera updates, extremely reliable, virtually unbreakable thanks to the well proven Ford V8 and ZF Gearbox! Comes with a letter from the first to the second owner, the engine build sheet, stacks of registration and insurance docs, an original owner’s manual and the Marti report. Because it is a 1973 year model, it is smog-exempt, even in the People’s Socialist republic of California. This is a stunning Pantera in a very elegant color combo that offers a massive amount of bang for the buck and is priced right at $99,750 or best offer!
S/n 06038. De Tomaso Pantera. Body number 51771. Engine number 874 05136
1973, July build date. From new in silver
1973, new to Star Lincoln Mercury, (Dealer # 52A091) 901 S Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA, 91204
1974, 28 June, first sold by Star Lincoln Mercury, Glendale, CA, 91204
1980, 21 April, updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, CA, 92621.
1981, 12 March, updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, Brea, CA, 92621.
1982, 27 March, updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, Brea, CA, 92621.
1983, 15 April, updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, CA, 92621.
1985, 12 April, updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, CA, 92621.
1987, 16 April., updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, Brea, CA, 92621.
1988, 13 Oct., updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, Brea, CA, 92621.
1995, stripped and painted from its original silver to a high quality blue-gray.
2001, engine rebuilt using Keith Black Pistons, an Isky performance cam and topped with a Hall Pantera engine
dress up kit including valve covers and air cleaner plus an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and performance
Holley carb were installed. We have a copy of the engine build sheet on file.
2002 a set of 9′ x 17′ front and 11′ x 17″ rear HRE wheels were installed.
2008, 19 March, updated California Registration issued to Robert A Bodnar, Brea, CA, 92621.
2008, 15 Nov., California Insurance card issued to Robert Bodnar, Brea, CA.
2009, March, sold to second owner, Laguna Beach, 92651.
2009, 30 March, new California Registration issued, Laguna Beach, 92651.
2012, 08 March, updated California Registration issued, Laguna Beach, 92651.
2013, 09 April, updated California Registration issued to, Laguna Beach, 92651.
2014, 27 March, updated California Registration issued to, Laguna Beach, 92651.
2015, 30 March, updated California Registration issued to, Laguna Beach, 92651.
2023, Feb., on consignment with Mike and Colleen Sheehan’s Ferraris-Online LLC.
