VIN: the works / Herbert Muller Racing De Tomaso Pantera Gr.4 chassis 2263
History of 2263
Chassis THPNLM02263 was the first of 14 Panteras built to Group 4 specification and the only example manufactured in 1971. It was completed on December 2nd of that year in the trademark colour scheme of red with satin black rocker panels, front lid and engine cover.
2263 was the car originally allocated to Herbert Muller for the 1972 season. Muller had set up his own team for 1971 having spent many years driving with Scuderia Filipinetti.
Although factory owned, 2263 routinely appeared under the Herbert Muller Racing banner.
Having completed much test mileage behind closed doors, chassis 2263 made its first public outing at the 1972 Le Mans Test. Participation was greatly reduced as the event was squeezed in mid-week between the Brands Hatch Race of Champions and Sebring 12 Hours.
Muller was joined in 2263 by factory De Tomaso driver and fellow Scuderia Filipinetti man, Mike Parkes. Unfortunately, after a couple of hours running, the car’s engine began to boil and developed a major oil leak. It was not seen again after lunchtime on the opening day.
Nevertheless, 2263 had already set a time of 4 minutes and 16.3 seconds which ultimately proved over three seconds faster than the next quickest GT car (the Charles Pozzi Ferrari 365 GTB/4C of Ballot-Lena / Andruet). Impressively, the Pantera had also clocked a top speed in excess of 300kmh on its way to fifth fastest time overall.
Four weeks later, 2263 appeared with a freshly rebuilt motor for round two of the inaugural European GT Championship: the Paris GP at Montlhery. Two other Group 4 Panteras were also on hand for this, the model’s debut race: chassis 2343 of Scuderia Brescia Corse and 2824 of Ecurie Franco-Britannic (the French De Tomaso distributor).
Disappointingly, Muller failed to finish the 50 lap event owing to another engine failure.
Two weeks after its visit to Montlhery, chassis 2263 was wheeled out for the Monza 1000km World Sportscar Championship race.
The entire event took place terrible conditions.
Muller and his co-driver, Giancarlo Gagliardi, qualified second fastest of the GT cars in 16th (behind the sister car of Scuderia Brescia Corse in 14th).
The race saw Muller get a great start and he immediately stormed up to seventh position.
By the 20 lap mark he had risen to fourth behind the two Ferrari 312 PBs of Ronnie Peterson and Brian Redman and the Porsche 908/03 of Reinhold Joest. However, shortly after the one hour mark, Muller’s Pantera limped into the pits with the front wheel askew minus its tyre and the front right corner looking very second hand having hit the armco.
After inspection, 2263 was pushed away into retirement.
Meanwhile, although Ferrari won the race, in terms of advertising success, the Pantera stole the show with a fifth place finish and GT class victory for Ugo Locatellli and Gianfranco Palazzoli in Aldo Valtellina’s car.
Back at Modena, Alejandro de Tomaso decided to write chassis 2263 off and claim from his insurers rather than attempt a repair at what was a very busy time for the factory.
Encouraged by the performance of 2263, Muller went on to purchase his own Group 4 Pantera; chassis 2859 was bought at a preferential rate and ran with works assistance for the rest of the 1973 season.
The damaged bodyshell of 2263 subsequently sat on a dolly in the back yard of the factory until 1979 when it was renumbered 8263 and used to build a red GT5 demonstrator for the German De Tomaso distributor, AHI.
De Tomaso supplied the car to AHI at a little over half the price of a brand new GT5 and 2263 remained in its new configuration until 2016 / 2017 when its true identity was discovered. Since then, the car has been restored to its original configuration.
Notable History
De Tomaso Automobili (Herbert Muller Racing), Modena
Red & Black livery
MO 254
19/03/1972 IND Le Mans Test (H. Muller / M. Parkes) 5th oa, 1st GT class (#30)
31/03/1972 factory presentation, Modena
16/04/1972 EGT Montlhery (H. Muller) DNF (#3)
25/04/1972 WSC Monza 1000km (H. Muller / G. Gagliardi) DNF (#41)
1979 used to build a red GT5 demonstrator for the German De Tomaso distributor, AHI
2016/2017 rebuilt to original configuration
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: De Tomaso Automobili - https://detomaso-automobili.com/
