One to Buy: stored for 37 years 22,000km 1985 De Tomaso Pantera GT5S
/
The wide-bodied Pantera GT5 unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in November 1980 ushered in the kind of fat arches, deep side skirts and massive spoilers that were so in vogue at the time. However, as soft curves gradually became more popular, De Tomaso elected to move with the times and introduce arguably the sleekest Pantera yet: the GT5S.
First shown at the Turin Salon in November 1984, the GT5S featured a smoother, all-steel body whereas the GT5’s additions had mostly been fashioned from fibreglass and fastened into place in a style reminiscent of 1970’s Group 4 and 5 racing cars.
Under the skin, the two models were identical while inside, the GT5S adopted the same high end specification as the GT5 which remained in production alongside its handsome new counterpart.
By the time GT5S production came to an end in mid 1990, a little under 200 had been completed and one of these, chassis ‘9431,’ is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams online sale which ends on December 4th.
A 1985 left-hand drive example finished in Rosso with Nero upholstery and without the optional rear spoiler that simply adds weight and does nothing to improve the car’s look, ‘9431’ is currently showing a little over 22,000km and is being sold without reserve.
The car is reputedly driveable but, having been on static display since 1987, will require recommissioning prior to use.
