If you wanted an angular, exotically named supercar in 1984, you really had three options: a Lamborghini Countach, the just-launched Ferrari Testarossa or this – the De Tomaso Pantera GT5.
All three cars hail from northern Italy, but De Tomaso never became a household name as the others did. When it comes to awesome aesthetics and driving excitement, though, the Pantera can compete with the best.
This particular Pantera GT5 will be sold by Iconic Auctioneers at the Iconic Sale, taking place during the Race Retro show on 20 February 2026. Estimated at between £150,000 and £180,000, it is one of only 12 right-hand-drive GT5s built by the De Tomaso factory.
A different kind of American dream
The Pantera story began in the early 1970s with Alejandro De Tomaso’s ambitious plan to challenge the established supercar order. With a chassis engineered by Giampaolo Dallara, styling by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia and Ford V8 power driving a ZF transaxle, it was an eclectic but very effective melting pot.
A steel monocoque and competition-spec suspension gave the Pantera solid underpinnings, while its 5.8-litre Cleveland V8 delivered the sort of straight-line performance that only the finest European cars of the day could match.
By the time the GT5 arrived in 1980, the Pantera had already enjoyed a long life. This iteration drew directly from the marque’s motorsport efforts and brought with it a far more menacing look.
A deep front airdam with integrated lights, flared wheelarches, extended sills and a fixed rear spoiler were all part of the GT5 package. Beefed-up brakes and a more accommodating cabin addressed some of the criticisms aimed at earlier cars, too.
Up for auction at Race Retro
Finished in Rosso Fuoco over its original dark cream leather interior, this Pantera has a stunning specification. Acquired by its current owner (a well-known private collector) in 2017, there are just under 6,500 miles on its odometer, which was reset during restoration.
That work, carried out between 2001 and 2009, is extensively documented with photographs, invoices and period coverage in the De Tomaso Drivers Club News magazine.
The engine rebuild was completed in 2008 and later dyno-tested at 300hp and 325lb ft of torque. Further work in 2015 included a full gearbox and transaxle rebuild.
As one of a dozen right-hand-drive examples, this 1984 Pantera GT5 represents a highly collectable piece of supercar history. Visit the Iconic Auctioneers’ listing for more photos and to register to bid.
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