Alejandro DeTomaso didn’t miss a beat when the deal with Ford importing Panteras ended in 1974. By 1975, he was selling Panteras in other countries, and in 1976 he bought Maserati from the jaws of oblivion, reviving the company while simultaneously improving on the Pantera. In 1980, the GT5 Pantera was introduced with an aggressive body kit that included bolted-on fender flares, all of which ushered the classic Pantera design smack into the middle of 1980s excess. In mid-1985, DeTomaso introduced the GT5-S, a more finished version of the exotic sports car that boasted full steel flared fenders, a luxuriously appointed and upholstered interior, upgraded brakes and wheels, and an overall image that rivaled the usual exotic car suspects. By 1990, fewer than 190 GT5-S Panteras were built in total, with fewer than 50 imported into the United States via Amerisport, who handled EPA and DOT certification and distribution. The recipient of a recent mechanical restoration, this 1986 example shows 7,800 miles on the odometer and was previously owned by a noted collector. It is powered by the famed 351 Cleveland V-8 engine and a ZF 5-speed manual transmission. That engine is fitted with a new Holley carburetor, new DeTomaso cast aluminum valve covers and a new air cleaner assembly and intake pan gasket. The air conditioning features an updated compressor with new lines, and the fluids, belts, hoses, filters, battery, spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor have also been updated or replaced with new units. With red paint covering the all-steel body work designed by American Tom Tjaarda while working at Ghia, this GT5-S is fitted with the rear wing, integrated steel fender flares, front air dam and side venting. Detailed, a ceramic protective finish has been applied, and the refurbished Campagnolo GT4 Argetn Silver powdercoated magnesium wheels are wrapped with recently re-released Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires—285/40/15 front and 345/35/15 rear. The black interior presents well with leather upholstery gathered on the seats and door panels and an aluminum shift knob protruding through the open-gated shifter, all adding to the notion that the GT5-S was indeed the penultimate Pantera.
