Category Archives: Uncategorized

Alfa Romeo, Uncategorized

Art Car: 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold

As serious investors scramble to lock their 164s in underground vaults, permitting only filtered air and a fine mist of Armor All into the bubbles encasing their 4-wheeled investments, the shrewd enthusiasts have been snatching up the 164's brother: the Milano.

It goes without saying the to buy the best example of any car, you must first shop for the best seller and then examine the car.  Here, we've located the seller for you.  An expert of the Milano from the transaxle to the microscopic coatings on the front brake caliper bolts, this seller can be trusted with setting a Milano right.  This street legal road/track  Milano art car is his latest creation, and he is seeking to sell it to a worthy buyer.

Year: 1987
Model:  Alfa Romeo Milano Gold
Engine: 2.5L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  N/A
Price: $5,995
Location: Denver area
Contact: Click to Email

CLICK TO CONTACT: 1987 Milano Gold Art Car

1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold “Art Car”

California car till Colorado, not bent body, no sunroof

New timing belt, StayBelt Ultimate tensioner

Fresh radiator, new slim electric cooling fan, new hoses and belts

New lower ball joints, tie rods, boots, alignment (negative camber). Lower control arm bushes are a little weak

Fresh front wheel bearings

Rebuilt transaxle, 1st gear synchro updated, new seals, resealed case (Milano 4.10 final drive type), Goetze (NOS) or 5th gear OE synchros. Build sheet available.

New trans mount

Shankle "sport" rear springs

Watts link bushes replaced, poly center pivot

Rebuilt propshaft (Giubos and support and bearing)

Rebuilt shifter and isostatic parts

Rebuilt clutch

Stainless clutch slave hose

New rear brake rotors (Italian)

New rear brake pads (NOS Alfa)

Wilwood adjustable brake prop valve

All brake hoses new

Fuel pump new

Fuel filters new

New fuel hoses and clamps

New fuel tank filler boot

Team Dynamics 15x7 wheels with BF Goodrich G Force Rival tires, low miles
Custom exhaust with cat converter and glass pack
New brake master cylinder
Silicone “hi perf” intake boot
New air filter

New short injector hoses and seals (OE Bosch and Reinz)
Cosmetics/body/interior

Repainted in 80’s “Art” livery

Repainted gray trim (some not installed)

New door handle gaskets

Sparco hood pins

Stripped interior, gutted rear doors

No door glass

Legal for road – lights, horn, wipers, etc. all work

Heater present, fan not installed
Extra Recaro interior available (not installed)

Excellent black carpet available (not installed)

All exterior plastic lenses polished

NOS headlights

Verde trunk spoiler

Small rust area in rear dogleg

Rear reflector cracked

LED CHMSL

Various small dents and marks on body

Notes:
Engine is a strong 2.5. No smoke, no noise, excellent oil pressure. Run at multiple track days at altitude and during high heat, no issues whatsoever. The rebuilt transaxle and DeDion service have less than 200 miles of use. Sounds great, turns heads, lots of smiles. Clean clear title. Fun car, not perfect, very cool.

A massive, if not intimidating list of recent work accompanies the car.  With multiple track days under its belt and an Alfa Romeo racing heritage in its DNA, this art car should be good to go for many years to come.  We won't ask why it needed new door handle gaskets - and it's really none of our business - but we wouldn't be surprised if the explanation isn't printable on our pages; seller, we salute you!

Interested parties can contact the seller by clicking here.

Maserati, Uncategorized

Reader Classifed: 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder

Please contact the owner, John, by clicking his email address here.

We are pleased to present this 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder with Coachwork by Vignale as a reader classified.  Sold originally in white paint by a Roman Maserati distributor, the Spyder was repainted to its current Rosso Rubino by its second owner, a Napolitana.  The interior remains original to the car as delivered from the factory.  At some point in the car's history, it was fitted with a factory replacement 3.5L engine, which it retains to this day.

Restoration work commenced in 2006, starting with a full-body repaint, which included stripping the body to bare metal.  The chrome was restored at D&S Plating, whose reputation has led them to work on multiple Pebble Beach award-winning automobiles.  Following the restoration of the Spyder, it was presented at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours, where it was the only Vignale Spyder present at the Maserati 100th anniversary celebration.

Click below for slideshow

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Year: 1961
Make: Maserati
Model: 3500 GT Vignale Spyder
Engine: 3,485cc DOHC Twin-Plug Inline 6-Cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: fewer than 40,000 km
Price: $665,000
Chassis number:   AM101.1039

1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder engine and carbs

EMAIL FOR DETAILS: John

 

1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder driver rear quarter view

Description from a recent Bonham's auction:

This beautifully preserved example of the legendary Maserati 3500 GT was originally delivered with its splendid Vignale Spider coachwork in white paint with black leather interior and sold new by the Maserati distributor Cornacchia Automobili of Rome, Italy, to Vasco Migliacci—renowned Italian songwriter and composer, also from Rome. It was later purchased by a lady in Naples who, it seems, had the car color changed from white to Rosso Rubino, the beautiful Ruby Red it presents in today. The interior was not touched and remains as it was when delivered from the factory in Modena. The Napolitana kept the car until 1980, when it was acquired by Pierre Honegger, a race car driver and entrepreneur in Princeton, New Jersey. Honegger maintained the 3500 GT in his collection. Correspondence with the race driver confirmed that when he received the Maserati, other than the paint, the car was totally original, without any evidence of accident or modification. He sold the Maserati in March 1997, to noted collector Peter Starr, with 29,037 kms on the odometer, believed to be the original reading. The current consignor states that when Starr took possession of the car it had already been fitted with another Maserati 3500 GT factory replacement engine - a correct 3.5-liter 6-cylinder motor exactly as the original one. It is unclear whether the engine change was at the request of a previous owner or whether it was Honegger who switched out the motor, which seems most likely.

In 2006, Starr commissioned Ayer European Auto Restorations in Gardiner, Maine, to perform a respray, taking the body back to bare metal to ensure a first-class result. At the same time the chrome was sent to D&S Plating Co., the Pebble Beach award winning specialist based in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Following many years careful maintenance and meticulous service, the Maserati was presented at the Amelia Island Concours in 2014 as the only Vignale Spyder at the 100th Anniversary celebration of the marque. After two decades of ownership, Starr sold the car to the current steward, a long-time enthusiast with a large and eclectic collection, including numerous Maseratis.

This gorgeous 3500 GT Spyder is believed to be dressed with the original top and interior, and other than a small tear in the top canvas and some insignificant paint flaking on the dash, the overall condition of the car is amazingly well-preserved with a patina of careful wear over its fifty-seven years. It has three Weber carburetors and disc brakes in the front with drum in the rear and a lovely set of Borrani steel wheels, as well as the desirable 5-speed manual transmission.

This fabulous Ruby Red Maserati is one of fewer than 250 of the 3500 GT Spyder's built, with less than 40,000 kilometers on the clock, it is a highly desirable and drivable marque icon.

1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder interior

We do not have the skills to assess the concours-readiness of such an exquisite example.  That said, we can easily place this vehicle at the absolute acme of desirable Italian automobiles.  Now, we have to wonder - what will the owner replace this with?  We think that a Lamborghini 350GT is the only way up from here.

Have an Italian car that you'd like to share with the readers?  Email us graham@blythbros.com to arrange your reader classified posting!

-Graham

Uncategorized

Introducing: CICFS video page

CLICK HERE FOR CICFS VIDEO PAGE

See what we've been up to in our Alfa Romeo Milano Verde, Fiat 500 Abarth, and Maserati Coupe GT in the videos below:

Fiat, Uncategorized

1975 Fiat 128 Coupé SL

With the weather today hovering in the mid-seventies Fahrenheit, we've chosen a mid-seventies Fiat to share today.  Interestingly, the 128 served as the first mainstream application of Dante Giacosa's front transverse FWD layout - a layout that Fiat had fine-tuned in its Autobianchi subsidiary before introducing into the more mainstream Fiat brand.  That basic architecture would later make its way into the middle of the Fiat X-1/9.

Those interested in a more pure sporting experience will surely prefer the Fiat 124 Sport Coupé.  On paper, the twin cam mill and the RWD layout come across with more sincere sporting intentions.  But, as seen in the X-1/9 and in 128 sedan race cars, the SOHC powertrain has bonafide credibility on the track.

Fiat 128 coupe yellow side
Click to view listing

Year: 1975
Model: Fiat 128 Coupé SL
Engine: 1500cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  2,800 mi (advertised)
Price: Auction

Fiat 128 coupe yellow interior black
Click to view listing

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1975 Fiat 128 Coupé SL

1975 FIAT 128 SL Coupe (California Car)
Clean and in good condition, with a nice paint job original color( not a show car). 14x6 Cromodora wheels and new tires, front spoiler, Italian Bumpers.
Abarth valve cover and strut tower. Headers with a 1.5 engine from a Bertone - approximate 50K on engine with electronic ignition. Nice interior with a clean and original dash, headliner and carpet. CD player car stereo and all the electrical in working condition, lights , windshield wipers..
CAR SOLD AS IS , 40 plus year old old vintage Italian classic. Highest bidder needs to make a $500 deposit within 48hrs of ending of auction and the full payment within a week otherwise i have the right to sell it to next highest bidder.
Good Luck...

Fiat 128 coupe engine
Click to view listing

We can't tell whether this example originally had the 1100cc or the 1300cc engine, as the S and SL models came with a choice of either, but the owner mentions that a 1500cc engine from a Bertone is present.  If the buyer is interested in originality, a suitable 1100cc or 1300cc engine shouldn't prove difficult to source.  The seller reports a recent paint job in the original yellow, and claims that all electronics are in operating condition.

Many of these 128 coupes perished to rust, we'd have to imagine, so the rare California car such as this one is always worth consideration.  We continue to believe that SOHC Fiat engines are dead-simple to work on, so if the car is mostly devoid of rust and has most of its trim?  We'd recommend taking a closer look at purchasing.  With sporting touches such as the 14" Cromodora wheels, 1500cc engine swap, and Abarth valve cover and strut tower brace, not to mention the yellow pain, this car puts off a very fun vibe.

-Graham

Uncategorized

20% off Beta Tools Amazon Store – limited time offer!

Limited time 20% Off Discount on Beta Tools Amazon Store using Discount code CICFS118 during checkout.  Valid til 10/31

From the Beta Tools Website:

Since 1939, Beta Tools of Italy has been considered one of the preferred brands by professional tool users in Europe and they now have a Worldwide Distribution in more than 80 Countries.

In 2012 We, Peerless Hardware, have been appointed as an Authorized Importer of Beta Tools products in the USA and Canada. Known for their high quality and innovative design, Beta Tools can be easily seen by their signature orange color in the racing pits of the most important Car and Motorsports events worldwide.

Now being stocked, sold and supported in the USA, Italian Design and European quality tools are available in the USA and Canada.

Our recommendations:

Beta Tools C27S-R Folding Tool Trolley for Portable USE - REDC27S-R folding tool trolley.jpg

Product Features:

  • Bottom drawer compartment 23"W x 11"D x 7" H
  • Two way drawer opening
  • Collapsible, Centralized Lock, 2 Drawers, 23"W x 11"D
  • Worktop with 6 built-in tool trays

Beta C41H Two Module Tool Trolley

Beta C41H Two Module Tool Trolley.jpg

Product Features:

  • Sheet Metal Frame And Plastic Tops
  • Oversized Castors, Built Into Frame For Easy Transport On Steps
  • Side Centralized Lock For Closing Drawers Of Lower Module
  • Drawers With Ball Bearing Slides And Double Closing Hook
  • Telescopic Aluminium Handle

Beta C57P O Panel Toolholder Mastercargo

Beta Mastercargo.jpg

Product Features:

  • Panel toolholder with 2 holes on the back for wall mounting
  • Aluminum shutter with safety lock
  • 3 removable perforated panels for tool holding
  • Work benches
  • Beta code number 057000020

C20 Five Section Cantilever Steel Tool Box FULL

C20 Five Section Cantilever Steel Tool Box Full.jpg

Product Features:

  • Combination wrenches: 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19 mm
  • 6" Diagonal Cutting Nippers, 7" Combination Pliers, 6" Extra long needle knurled nose pliers
  • 10" Slip joint pliers and 1/2" Drive Reversible Ratchet
  • 1/2" Sockets:10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,27,30,32 mm

C20 Five Section Cantilever Steel Tool Box EMPTY

Beta C20 Five Section Cantilever Steel Tool Box

Uncategorized

1967 Ghia 450SS

2 Comments
Click to view listing

Known more for their role in lending a design edge to some Fords and Volkswagens over the years, Ghia developed a few of their own cars years ago, albeit in small numbers. The 450SS was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his stint at the design firm. Unveiled at the 1966 Turin International Auto Show, it was produced through 1967, with a limited number of 52 being built by hand. These cars were built on a Plymouth Barracuda chassis and were powered by Chrysler’s 273 V8 mated to a 3-speed Torqueflite transmission. Rarer than most Italian exotics, these Ghias are certainly attention getters and one of the most elegant looking roadsters of the period.

Click to view listing

Year: 1967
Model: 450SS
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: N/A
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1967 Ghia 450SS

Click to view listing

Carriage House Motor Cars is pleased to offer a very special and unusual 1967 Ghia 450 SS for bid. This car is 1 of 52 ever produced and one of less than half that number known to still exist. It features it's original 273 Formula S Plymouth Barracuda V8 and 3 Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission. The vision of Hollywood producer Burt Sugarman, these cars were produced for only a couple of years (1966-67) and were sold for the staggering sum at that time of $13,000. Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the original concept known as the Ghia GT based on a Fiat 2100 chassis and proudly displayed the car at the 1966 Turin Automobile Show.

This example was the property of a prominent collector here in the New York Area and originally a rust free car from Southern California. Cosmetically superb with very nice paint and chrome, Borrani Wire Wheels that were just detailed and the optional factory hardtop. The soft top is good condition and a very nice original leather interior. Mechanically the car is very nice with a smooth running original Barracuda drivetrain featuring the Formula S V8 and 3 Speed Torqueflite Automatic Transmission. This car is sold as is and for further information, please call Scott at 914-450-0568. Carriage House Motor Cars reserves the right to cancel this auction at any time.

Click to view listing

A Ghia 450SS in good condition will range between $85,000 to $125,000. This particular car appears to have been restored at some point, although that is not confirmed in the ad. Italian American hybrids such as these are good for collectors who are a bit gun shy of taking on the challenge of exotic car ownership. With its Chrysler engine and drivetrain, parts are easier to source and reliability is much higher than if it would have come equipped with a bespoke Italian engine. The only problem I could see with this car is having to answer the never ending question to passers by: "what is it?"

-Paul

Fiat, Uncategorized

1968 Autobianchi Bianchina Berlina Quattroposti

2 Comments

Developed off the Fiat 500 platform, the Autobianchi Bianchina was designed to offer small car customers a little bit more style and luxury. It's quite rare to come across one of these cars in the US, but this late model Berlina Quattroposti for sale in North Carolina would certainly make for an interesting around town runabout, especially in this era of ever increasing fuel costs.

1968 Autobianchi Bianchina Quattroposti

Click to view listing

Sold to me by the President of the Fiat 500 club in the Netherlands. this is a very original Fiat 500 derivative (all Fiat 500 mechanicals), Autobianchi Bianchina. This body style was not sold in the US and was meant for the Italian market only. The previous owner bought it directly from the original owner in italy.

This car is largely original and un-restored but runs and drives, has low miles and is a great collectors car for shows and parades. At only 10 ft long its about 2/3 the size of a normal car. The body is in great shape for a 1960's Italian Car but does have a couple of issues. Most notably the rear lid has rust through and will need to eventually be replaced, there is also a rust hole in the drivers door, some pitting on the chrome and the bumpers have been painted silver. The interior is original to 1968 and is overall good. the top is usable but definitely old as are the seat covers, one of them has a seam split. All the electrics work and I have personally driven this car on some short ventures.

The Bianchina Quattroposti has 4 somewhat usable seats and a backward slanted rear glass that adds a very classic look. This was the upscale version of the Fiat 500 and makes an appearance in the movie "Roman Holiday." Mechanically it starts, stops, turns tightly and sounds like a Fiat 500, same engine and transmission.

For a similar vintage 500L in good condition, you can expect to pay in the range of $15,000 to the low $20,000 range. The Autobianchi variant is a little bit obscure in this market, and the condition here is a little bit rough, but originality has its merits at times. Somewhere around $10,000 to $13,000 is probably a good estimate as to where this Bianchina will sell for.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1966 Bizzarrini 5300 GT

The Bizzarrini is one of the most obscure and mythical Italian vehicles ever produced. For a country that is known for its exotic machinery, that certainly is saying something. The 5300 GT was another one of those Italo-American collaborations, with fanciful bodywork and a Corvette V8 underhood. Rarely do we see these cars for sale but this 5300 GT up for auction in California is perhaps one of the best ones out there.

1966 Bizzarrini 5300 GT

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This is a very rare and special Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – it is highly original with only three owners from new. This 1966 Bizzarrini GT 5300 has won numerous awards: it was the Bizzarrini Class Winner at The Quail, A Motor Sport Gathering in August 2012 and it won the Owner’s Choice Award at The Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance in August 2011. This Bizzarrini GT 5300 has also received many other awards over the years.

This is one of the finest and most authentic Bizzarrini GT 5300 Stradas in existence. Bizzarrinis of this character rarely come up for public sale. This Bizzarrini GT 5300 has the desirable series 1 door handles and series 1 dashboard. The car has never had any body damage, has never been raced and is in outstanding condition. The engine and transmission are original.

This Bizzarrini is in spectacular condition and runs perfectly. It is ready for show or a 1,000-mile drive. It is one of the finest and most authentic Bizzarrini GT 5300 Stradas in existence. The Bizzarrini GT 5300 provides a ticket to an exclusive club – with approximately 115 of all types produced and an estimate of less than 100 still in existence, a Bizzarrini GT 5300 is always a rare car at any classic car event.

Make: Bizzarrini
Model: GT 5300 Strada
Year: 1966
Chassis number: IA3*0256
Exterior: Alloy body painted silver
Interior: Black suede leather
Engine: Corvette 327 cid with 4 Weber carburetors
Odometer: 47,209 kilometers (29,334 miles)
Number made: Approximately 115 of all types
Multiple Award Winner

Bizzarrinis are not easy cars to value, due to their scarcity and that few exchange hands on a regular basis. With an opening bid of $700,000 and the reserve not yet met, only serious collectors need apply. With the history of awards this car has won and original drivetrain in tact, this is certainly a car for someone who wants to stand out at the concours. While it may be hard to source certain trim and suspension items for this car, at least the drivetrain will be relatively reliable and easy to service, given its humble GM origins.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1953 Cisitalia 33DF Voloradente

4 Comments

Known for being one of the first seven automotive designs honored by New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Cisitalia 202 has long since epitomized the pinnacle of Italian design. It was also a revolutionary exercise in style, as the fenders, headlights and hood were all integrated into one smooth, flowing shape. While the 202 is the most well known of the Cisitalias, its successor wasn't as famous. Based on Fiat 1100 mechanicals, the 33DF Voloradente, or "low flying" in Italian, was capable of a 105 mph top speed, which was quite a feat for a four cylinder engine at the time. About fourteen or fifteen of these cars were ever produced, with five of them being aluminum bodied. This 33DF for sale in The Netherlands is one of those five.

1953 Cisitalia 33DF Voloradente

This car was driven by the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally champion for about 20 years. Only 5 of these aluminum versions were made. When Cisitalia intended to create a successor to their immensely successful 202 series Berlinetta it was not difficult to decide to use the brilliant Fiat 1100 ‘103’ series running gear as a basis for their new concept car. This reliable engine has a rich postwar automotive racing history as it was used in several small capacity competition classes: in saloon car racing and rallying the Fiat 1100 TV showed great potential, in GT and sports car racing it was often the basis of many Italian racing specials constructed by Stanguellini, Cisitalia, Nardi, Moretti and others. Even in the illustrious Formula Junior category it was the technology of choice as applied by Stanguellini, Volpini, Taraschi, OSCA and many other Italian racing car constructors!

As early as 1953 Cisitalia presented this 33DF Volo Radente, which means in translation more or less a 'sharp flight.' It was intended as a ‘Berlinetta da Corsa’ in the small capacity class of the early and mid fifties. Probably not more than 20 examples of various versions were constructed over the years. The responsible designer was Aldo Brovarone. With its small capacity engine it did 170 km/hr, an amazing performance for a comfortable coupe with an engine based on an 1100 cc four cylinder unit! But it was not only the speed that put it in a class of its own, also the brakes and suspension excelled assuring a perfect balance with a very sporty and almost unbeatable road behavior in its class, fully supporting the special name ‘Volo Radente’! The coachwork was quite advanced in 1953 giving ample space and lots of light inside the car using unusually large windows. Some interesting design features of the early Abarth 205/A Berlinetta were incorporated, like the large wrap around rear window, most unusual at that time. The luxurious appointed interior gave the driver and the passenger a feeling of sporty luxury, synonymous for the high quality associated with Cisitalia.

The racy 33DF was followed by the 35DF and finally the more luxurious and less sporty appointed 36 DF of which only a few examples were built before Cisitalia ceased production. Chassis number 00510 has a 1084 cc engine with two downdraft Weber carburetors, linked to the strong Fiat 4 speed gearbox with sporty floor shift. Valves, pistons, camshaft and porting have been reworked. The coachwork is made of all aluminum and also designed by Brovarone. The car is on alloy rimmed Borrani wire wheels and equipped with specially made alloy ventilated drum brakes.

The history of 00510 is fully known since its ‘birth’ and already as early as 1972 the well known 'Automotoclub Storico Italiano' (ASI) registered the car as a historical vehicle. On the early ASI papers the car is described with a total weight of 880 kg, including petrol and spare wheel. At that time it was owned by Felice Marchese of Voghera, Italy, the Rally Monte Carlo winner of 1971. Still on its original ‘black plate’ Italian number plates 326073 Mi chassis number 00510 is one of the very few surviving examples of this historically significant car.

Over the many years of its life it was entered in rally and hill climb competition. Sundry photos and documents show the car as early as 1976 in major Italian and Swiss historic events. The car performed extremely well, often making the magazine and even newspapers headlines. Quite a few original newspaper clippings witness this. Known drivers are Introzzi, Ganoglio and the mentioned Felice Marchese. Mr. Marchese owned the car for several decades, actually until his death. Later the car was the property of Gabriella Marchese and/or the son.

In recent years the car underwent a thorough body-off restoration in Italy. With the preservation of the original details the car was restored with great care and can now be considered to be one of the very few remaining 33DF’s in the world, ready for about any historic automobile event in the world, including the Mille Miglia where it will be a serious contender, feeling perfectly at home on the straights and on the twisty mountain roads! Asking price €190,000

Any time a manufacturer gets one of its cars exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, you know it's going to reflect favorably on the brand. Add into that the rarity factor we have going on here, and you have a car worth more than some of the priciest Abarths out there. This very Cisitalia was sold last year at Retromobile for €148,920 and was curiously advertised then as a 1954 model. It appears from my research that in fact it is a 1954 model according to the serial number and that the seller has misadvertised the vehicle. In less than one year, could such an obscure classic appreciate more than €50,000? In this market, probably not.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1973 DeTomaso Pantera L

2 Comments

One of the most famous Italian-American vehicle collaborations, the DeTomaso Pantera succeeded the Mangusta and would go on to be a much more successful sports car, with over 7,000 produced. These cars would be sold through Lincoln Mercury dealers in the US, and it gave Ford something exotic to draw people into the showrooms. Powered by a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 and a ZF gearbox, these cars had a lot more pulling power from the low end as compared to their Italian competitors. Pantera imports to the US stopped in 1975, but the car soldiered on all the way until 1991. This 1973 example for sale in Arizona has aged well, aided by the relatively neutral dark silver hue.

1973 DeTomaso Pantera L

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1973 DeTomaso Pantera L

Body: The car was originally silver and was media blasted to bare metal and professionally painted by Finishing Touch Refinish in Fountain Hills Arizona in 2007. Aston Martin Tungsten Silver is now the cars color. Wheels are painted with a matte finish Mercedes Benz 744 Silver. Rocker panels and the exposed plastic portion of the door handles, generally black from the factory, are color matched to the car. This is a 1973 DeTomaso Pantera L which came from the factory with the large front rubber bumper and large projecting rear metal bumper. The rear bumper has been deleted from the car to give the body a nicer line and allow for the use of an original ANSA GTS header and muffler system. The rear bumper and mounts will be included in the sale. The Ford style rectangular drivers’ side mirror has been replaced by one from a Dino Ferrari which gives a nice line to the car. A Ford NOS drivers’ side mirror will be included with the sale. “Ghia”, “DeTomaso” and “Pantera” emblems were not installed on the car. Fresh DeTomaso / Pantera and original Ghia emblems come with the car. The car is badged with the front bumper DeTomaso “Family Crest” emblem and the “Powered By Ford” rear deck emblem. Clear bra added to rocker panels and rear haunches where tires could throw debris.

Engine: Numbers Matching 351CJ
Engine Rebuilt by Don Woodard, Phoenix, AZ October 2001.
Completely balanced, TRW pistons #L2379, SS valves, Crowler Cam #15242, Crowler roller rockers #73615, Gear Drive, Holley 700 cfm #0-4778C, Ford Drua-Spark Ignition with Ford Motorsport Ignition Module (made by MSD for Ford Motorsport), Pantera specific McLoud clutch, Jet Hot Coated ANSA GTS headers and mufflers, Carbon Fiber Air Cleaner Assembly. Ford high torque starter.

Transaxle: Numbers matching ZF 5 speed in excellent working order. New Spicer half-shafts and u-joints. Transaxle was inspected by Roy Butfoy in the late 1970’s.

Suspension: Powder coated A-arms, new bushings (non-polyurethane), freshly rebuilt Koni shocks with spring spacers removed. Fresh ball joints, front and rear wheel bearings. Chrome on springs and torsion bars.

Brakes: Stock Girling front brakes.
Upgraded 3 piston rear Girling Brakes (as used on Ferrari Lamborghini & Jaguar) and Brembo Emergency brakes. New master cylinder. Vented brake rotors. Fresh Front brake pressure reducer – not installed secondary to wheel and tire combination.

Wheels / Tires: Freshly painted (matte finish Mercedes Benz 744 Silver) Campagnolo Pantera Magnesium Alloy wheels.
Rear: 10 x 15 GTS wheels mounted to AVON CR6-zz 295/50R/15 (DOT approved tire)
Front: 7 x 15 front wheels mounted to TOYO Proxes RA1 225/50ZR/15 (DOT approved tire)
(also have the original 8 inch rear wheels)

Cooling: Fluidyne aluminum radiator and upgraded cooling fans, Ford GT expansion tank upgrade (modern cooling system), all new rubber hoses.

Electrical: Ford 100 amp 3G alternator, 12 volt relay switching to reduce current to electric windows, horn and headlight switches. Tachometer reworked by North Hollywood Speedometer to be compliant with ignition module.
Ammeter, included with sale, was removed and replaced by a period Veglia clock. (There is a potential fire danger when using a high amperage alternator with the Veglia Borletti ammeter.) Windshield wiper conversion to a single arm unit which parks on the passenger’s side. New Hella (H4) headlights and two color rear lights (orange blinker section).

Heater / AC: Blower box installed and wired, but AC and Heater hoses are not routed to the box. New AC condenser. Heater hoses and AC compressor and hoses are not installed on car but are included with the sale.

Interior: Fresh molded seat foams. Seating surfaces are from Wilkinson Pantera from the 1970’s and are in good shape with no tears. Radio delete plate with “DeTomaso” script. New floor and rear bulkhead carpets. New head liner (very rare snake bite pattern) purchased years ago and just installed fall 2011. Fresh, speaker delete, door panels. No tears in arm rests. Sun visors are tight - they will not drift down when driving the car. Fresh leather on a Vintage MOMO Steering wheel with a flush mounted MOMO center cap. Have a perfect stock steering wheel that will be included with the car. Window glass and stainless accents are in good to excellent shape. All stainless trim was polished when it was off the car.

Front Compartment: Old felt removed during restoration and final body color added to front compartment. Fluydine radiator, Optima Battery, highly detailed power brake booster, brake and clutch cylinders. Fresh weather-strip. All factory badges attached. Small area of paint blistering under windshield wash reservoir secondary to spillage of brake fluid.

Rear Compartment: Old factory coating removed during restoration and final body color added to rear compartment. All factory badges attached. Fiberglass cargo carrier has new felt and new locking Dzus style fasteners. Original spare tire. Original tool bag with original jack, jack handle and ratchet. Have replaced the wrenches with vintage HAZET’s. Wiring is routed through the body frame. Very few exposed wires in the engine compartment. Fresh rear deck shocks. Fresh weather-strip.

Undercarriage: Clean. Undercoating was not removed during restoration. Powder coated water tubes. New brake and clutch tubing. Rebuilt steering rack.

I purchased this car in 1976, sold it to my brother while I attended college and repurchased the car. Prior to being licensed in Arizona (2011), the car was licensed in Washington State. The last renewal date on the Washing tabs was in 1978. Prior to Arizona licensing and road testing in 2011, the car was inspected by Les Gray (current president of Pantera Owners Club of America). The car was appraised in November 2011 for 92,500 dollars by Penn Black of “Auto Appraisal Network”. The appraiser has a YouTube video of the car taken in Nov. 2011 under the title “PennBlack Pantera”.

The great thing about the Pantera is that you can get a lot of exotic Italian style with American reliability for not a lot of cash as compared to the usual Ferraris or Lamborghinis. At a shade under $45,000 to about $70,000 is the order of the day when it comes to Panteras of this vintage and I'd suspect this example would probably reach to the upper end of that range.

-Paul