At one of the local car shows this past weekend, I saw something that made me think of everyone who gets irate over brand x engines in Ford sheet metal. There was this big, beautiful FE,


stuffed into this tiny little car.


A quick search revealed that Ford and De Tomaso had a short lived agreement for building and distributing these cars. What puzzles me is that there is not any mention of the FE being offered in this car. What do you guys think: Is it factory, or aftermarket?

 

Definitely a custom job. The Pantera was a '70s issue which was long after the era of the 427. I've never seen a "stock" Pantera with anything but a Cleveland, but I'll not claim to be an expert. I'm sure the car is wicked fast but I wonder if they fubared the handling somewhat with the heavier FE. Darn cool though.

 

I'd take er for a spin.

 

Right The Pantera's only came equipped with 351 Clevelands. Available thru Ford-Mercury dealers. They were in the league with Sunbeam Tigers, Cobra's and Mangustas. I think the Mangusta's had small blocks.

 

I've heard of Pantera's with the 427 in them.

I believe they were stock. However, maybe they were a dealer-only item.

Seriously, I've heard of LOTS of these things with 427's in them. Rare, but they were around.

Again, not sure if they were dealer-installed. I wonder if the bellhousing was a plain-jane Ford setup and all you needed to do was find an FE bellhousing and bolt everything in (besides motor mounts) ???

 

Well I as well am not not a Panty expert!! LOL..But I have been around alot of them In SoCal in my early years..and have never seen a Factory FE in a Panty....everyone I have ever seen had a 351 in it? Unless it was a special mod not done at the factory...

JMO...

Russ

 

Russ, I think you're right - everything I can find about them say "351C all the way except for a few 351W's".

And they have a 8 (or 6) bolt bellhousing pattern at the tranny side, so ... that's a custom bell too...

 

Yep Art...I'd like to drive that one Hypoid posted tho!! I have driven a few....and I love em!!

Russ

 

I've never been, but a few people have noticed how much of a Ford fan I am, and said "get a Pantera"

 

I was looking at a 70 pre L at the time I hurt my back, was willing to sell a 81 Delorean 5- speed, 314 original miles plus cash for one. EPA destroyed the Pantera's power output over the years plus many are hacked up and not stock these days. Mongusta's had better lines but the handling was bad, frame and body flex, I walked away from a cherry 69 because of these faults.
Ended up with a Lola T 70 rolling chassis, sold it, made a $16,000 profit.
Still have the "Coke Machine" with 314 miles.
Now a BMW M-1 will pin you in the seat on the race track, drove Pete Rose's M-1 years ago.

.....=o&o>.....

 

Cool Carl..has yours had the problem of it snorting up the white lines as you drive down th HWY!!! LOL..

Russ

PS..that thing out to bring top dollar with only 314 miles on it!! But I would clean it out real good before you sold it..So ya dont get busted for drug traffiking<---sp?

 

When they released the cars back in 11-82 due to DeLorean getting busted I washed mine and went to the inlaws for thanksgiving's a few blocks away for show and tell. Behind the drivers seat is a small compartment app 9 x 9 x 10, I left the door open a bit as I installed little bags of flour with markings like 93% pure, 1.6 Kilos.
Well the inlaws live on a dead end street with many old neighbors, they came out to see the car with its doors up. One old timer saw the bags, I look surprised and did a sample, stated with a surprise this is the real stuff. At this time many neighbors start walking away as I stated don't say anything who would know? Depends on who you ask for value, have read 20-40K, DMC rebuilders said "all seals must be replaced" as is only 5-6K. Screw him. I paid 15.3 back in 82. I still would trade plus cash for a pre L Pantera. I got to have my Ford V-8 fix.
.....=o&o>.....

 

LOL Carl that's pretty funny!!!!!

That's a purdy 427 stuffed in the back there! I've heard there are a few guys who upgraded the 351. I've heard on has a 426 HEMI even. I'd like to see a SOHC cammer shoe horned into one LOL....

G.

 

To keep a Pantera looking original I could go along with internal modifications or stroker in a 351, to install a different motor is a sin.

.....=o&o>.....

 

You guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drive it he!!, I wonder if I could even stuff my tall skinnyness behind the wheel...

Compared to other small cars I've been in, this one doesn't look too cramped. As I was oohing and aahing over the engine compartment, a guy walked up behind me and asked how you change the plugs. LOL This car was in the "orphan" show. I had a blast talking to owners and learning more of the "old" technology.

Next day was the "hot rod" show: Tons of beautiful cars and trucks with cookie cutter small blocks. Most were really nice, some you have to admire in spite of any brand loyalty. There was an AC Cobra body with 427 badges, and this:
WTF?!?!? Full grown men were flocking to that car like it was the first Schwinn Stingray on the block! IMHO, the 427 badging sets worse than all the For-shivees that showed. It's just not right...