1975 De Tomaso Pantera

Vehicle description

• Unique prototype, built at the request of Constantin Mantas in collaboration with the De Tomaso factory

• Extensive and complete history

• Italian vehicle papers

• Excellent condition

History of this vehicle and its owners

The chassis number 7427 from De Tomaso is special from the very beginning. The very successful and flamboyant Greek entrepreneur and playboy Constantin Anastase Mantas, born in 1942, planned to place a unique super sports car in his garage. He already owned the only built De Tomaso Mangusta Spider. So he and his friend Alejandro De Tomaso conceived a vehicle that would surpass all superlatives. Alejandro (himself a successful racing driver) understood what his wealthy client and friend expected: a unique and unmistakable super sports car. And so Anastase Mantas was able to influence the design and realize his personal ideas with the help of the De Tomaso factory.

This vehicle was ordered through the De Tomaso dealership in Germany, probably to avoid VAT. The Italian representative in Milan was so annoyed that he demanded compensation in the form of free spare parts due to the missing commission from De Tomaso. This correspondence is also included in the very extensive dossier. An internal file was created for this vehicle, in which every customer request was meticulously recorded. It all started in 1975, when Mr. Mantas's specifications included, among other things, "No Pantera lettering on the side, vehicle as low as possible, dashboard made of white leather, the area under the small gauges"on the dashboard, as well as the inner door covers, should also be made of white leather. In the middle of the cooler, a "T" must be attached, no rear bumper, exhaust system with free flow ". This prototype was painted at Vignale.

Over time, the Pantera was repeatedly adapted to the changing wishes of Mr. Mantas. It was important to him that his GTS would be faster than, for example, an Alfa Romeo T33, as evidenced by a phone note from 1975. The side panels resemble racing cars of Group 4. This GTS was continuously refined at the factory. Millions of Lire were invested by the customer during that time, until finally in 1979, the engine was bored out to 7 liters and now met Mr. Mantas's requirements. Of course, aerodynamics were further refined, and front spoilers, rear spoilers, and various wheels were experimented with.

Mantas, based in Greece and at home in the world, drove with changing export plates across Europe until 1985 when he was stopped by the Italian police and his vehicle was confiscated due to invalid license plates. Mantas was unable to retrieve his vehicle, and so this Pantera was left to rot in a police parking lot. In 1992, it was auctioned for 1,600,000 Lire. The new owner from Bologna restored this GTS in every detail. Helpful in this process were the original documents generously provided by Mr. Mantas.

In 2010, the Pantera changed hands again, and the Milanese importer surprisingly bought the Pantera back to then sell it at a profit to the last owner. Even today, this vehicle remains in an exceptionally good condition. The engine starts upon first request, the transmission and brakes are without complaint, the paintwork and interior are in a beautiful condition with a touch of patina.

What makes this Pantera so special and unique are the hundreds of internal documents from De Tomaso, invoices for the work carried out, and even a passport copy of Mr. Mantas in the file. Rarely have we had the opportunity to offer such extensively documented vehicles. We are selling this De Tomaso on consignment for the consignor.

This offer is non-binding and subject to prior sale. Additional services such as a comprehensive 154-point inspection, new German TÜV, possibly H-registration, transport, registration in Germany, valuation report, etc., are available for a separate fee.

This vehicle offered here is located in our manufactory in Cologne-Kalk, Vietor Str. 85, 51103 Cologne. Here you will find - ONLY BY APPOINTMENT - a selection of constantly 80 historically valuable classics.

For our service offerings and vehicle selection, please visit www.scuderia-sportiva-colonia.com

Vehicle description

• Unique prototype, tailor-made at the request of Constantin Mantas in collaboration with the De Tomaso factory

• Extensive and complete history

• Italian registration papers

• Excellent condition

History of this vehicle and its owners

The chassis number 7427 De Tomaso is something special from the start. The very successful and dazzling Greek entrepreneur and playboy Constantin Anastase Mantas, born in 1942, planned to buy a unique super sports car in his garage. He already had the only De Tomaso Mangusta Spider built. So, together with his friend Alejandro De Tomaso, he desired a vehicle that should break all superlatives. Alejandro (himself a successful racing driver) understood what his rich customer and friend expected, a unique and distinctive supercar. And so Anastase Mantas was able to intervene in the design and implement his personal ideas with the help of De Tomaso's work.

This vehicle was ordered through the De Tomaso agency in Germany, probably to avoid sales tax. The Italian representative in Milan was so annoyed that he demanded compensation from De Tomaso in the form of free spare parts due to the lack of commission. Even this correspondence can be found in the very extensive dossier. A separate file was then kept in-house for this vehicle in which every customer request was noted. It all started in 1975, when Mr. Mantas's specification sheet said, among other things, "No Pantera lettering on the side, vehicle as low as possible, dashboard made of white leather, the area under the small displays on the dashboard, as well as the inner door covers should also be in white leather. There must be a "T" in the middle of the radiator, no rear bumper, exhaust system with free flow ". The customized Italian sports car was then painted by Vignale.

In the course of time, the Pantera was adapted several times to the changed wishes of Mr. Mantas. It was important to him that his GTS was faster than for example the Alfa Romeo T33, as evidenced by a phone note from 1975. The side panels are reminiscent of Group 4 racing cars. This GTS has been refined again and again in the factory. Millions of lire have been invested by the customer in his time until the engine was finally drilled to 7 liters in 1979 and now met Mr. Mantas' requirements. Of course, the aerodynamics were fine-tuned and experimented with front spoilers, rear spoilers and different rims.

Mantas native to Greece and at home all over the world drove through Europe with changing export license plates until he was stopped by the Italian police in 1985 and his vehicle was confiscated due to invalid license plates. Mantas did not manage to trigger his vehicle again and so this Pantera rotten in a police car park. In 1992 it was auctioned for 1,600,000 lire. The new owner from Bologna restored this GTS in all details. The original documents generously provided by Mr. Mantas were helpful to him.

In 2010 the Pantera changed hands again and the Milanese importer, funnily enough, bought the Pantera again and then sold it to the last owner at a profit. This vehicle is still in exceptionally good condition today. The engine starts at first request, the gearbox and brakes are without any complaints, the paintwork and the interior are in beautiful condition with a touch of patina.

What makes this Pantera so special and unique are the hundreds of internal documents from De Tomaso, invoices for the work carried out, and even a copy of Mr. Mantas' passport can be found in the file. We have seldom been able to offer such a comprehensively documented vehicle. We sell this De Tomaso on commission for the consignor.

This offer is subject to change and subject to prior sale. Additional services such as large 154 pt. Comprehensive inspection, new German TÜV, possibly historical approval, transport, registration in Germany, appraisal, etc. are possible for a separate expense allowance.

This vehicle offered here is in our factory in Cologne-Kalk, Vietor Str. 85, 51103 Cologne. Here you will find a selection of 80 historically valuable classics - ONLY BY APPOINTMENT.

For information about our range of services and selection of vehicles, please visit www.scuderia-sportiva-colonia.com