An extensively restored, road registered, Group 4 'homage' offered at a fraction of the recent build cost. 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, #02334, is a fascinating car in our opinion and offers versatility for both fast road use, or as a potential entry to some of the best historic motorsport on offer around the world today. The previous owner, having attended historic events such as, Spa Italia, Laguna Seca and the Le Mans Classic had become rather enthusiastic about the De Tomaso Pantera and decided he would like to build a multi-purpose example that was better equipped and better detailed than any other he had seen at these events. After much searching, he managed to locate a car in the USA in 2012 which had not been used for some time and was effectively a ‘barn-find’. He managed to purchase the car and after being imported to the UK, it was subject to a bare metal restoration and carefully and expertly built with no expense spared. The intention of the build was to create an iconic car which would reflect the racing history of the marque in the Group 3 and Group 4 era, but with a few enhancements and tweaks to make it a more practical and user-friendly on the road. The Story of ‘02334’ and its extensive restoration has been superbly captured in the accompanying bespoke hard-back book in the car’s history file. The book contains lots of useful information as to why it was created, and how it was created along with more history about these special cars. There is simply too much to list here but some highlights of this car’s impressive specification are listed below and more information can be supplied upon request: Carbon Fibre Bonnet, decklid and doors T45 high-strength steel roll-cage by Nick Garrat to MSA standards Magnesium 13” Campagnolo wheels. Group 4 flared arches AP Racing brakes front and rear Tillet Carbon Fibre lightweight driver seat Aluminium Koni Adjustable shocks. Set up by Pantera specialist, Steve Gilby Twin fuel tanks with ATL level sender Ford V8 bespoke build by Jeff Raeburn, aluminium block, custom Racetech forged pistons with Holley 850hp carb. Dyno results available upon request Gearbox rebuilt by ZF specialist Paul Fleming. Lightweight racing flywheel and clutch fitted Rally timing telemetry and equipment for competitive historic rally events The Pantera is road registered with the plate ‘351 PAN’ which our vendor is generously including in the sale. The livery is an homage to an example that raced at Le Mans in period and a 1/18th scale model of that Le Mans car is included in the sale along with a spare set of period shock absorbers, driveshafts, and head light covers, which can be fitted in place of the race equivalent currently fitted. Fitted with new Pirelli tyres all-round, the car comes complete with easily detachable silencers for road use and additional bolt on silencers for 105Db track days. It was always designed to be ‘dual-purpose’ and has proved to be reasonably tractable on the road. It was treated to a Goodwood track day, driven by the De Tomaso Drivers Club UK Secretary, Richard Pogson, who reported, “I had the opportunity to drive this car in 2021 and again in 2022. I found it a pussy cat on the road and an absolute wild cat on the track, even a track novice like me was inspired. Such a good looking car attracts so much attention, I felt like a celebrity driving it”. The car has also been exhibited at the British Motor Show. Overall, there has been an awful lot of time, money and careful thought been put into ‘02334’ over the past few years and we therefore encourage all interested parties to come to the NEC to see the results of all this hard work for themselves, along with spending time reading about the cars fascinating journey. Being offered at a very sensible estimate when you consider what it would cost to replicate to this standard today, this looks like a very interesting proposition indeed.