This 1973 DeTomaso Pantera GTS is currently for sale at Mecum’s Monterey 2026 auction, and it is far from a stock example. Finished in deep black over a black cabin, the car rides on gold Forgeline wheels and pairs a stroked 351-cubic-inch V-8 with an extensive list of hand-built upgrades that push this Italian-American classic well past its factory specification.
The Pantera reached Lincoln-Mercury showrooms in 1971 as part of Ford’s push to bring a European flavor to the Mercury brand, offering buyers a mid-engine alternative to cars like the Porsche 911S and Maserati Bora at a comparatively accessible price. Styled by Tom Tjaarda and built by DeTomaso in Modena, it married Italian design with a Ford V-8 and factory-backed dealer support. You can see how this particular example builds on that formula in the full Mecum listing for this GTS.
Under the clamshell sits a 351 CI stroker V-8 built with aluminum heads, a custom individual-runner intake, and a Holley Dominator ECU, backed by a McLeod twin-disc clutch with a hydraulic bearing conversion. Hand-fabricated stainless headers feed a rear-exit exhaust with Borla resonators, giving the car a serious mechanical presence to match its looks. The complete build sheet is laid out in the car’s auction page.
Power is routed through a polished transaxle and Mark Williams 4130 CV half shafts, while a Billet Hall Pantera suspension with Ridetech adjustable coilovers keeps everything composed through corners. Stopping power comes from a four-wheel disc setup featuring Wilwood six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, aided by a hydroboost system with a Wilwood tandem master cylinder. It is a chassis package built to let this Pantera perform like a modern car, details that are all documented in Mecum’s listing for the car.
Outside, the GTS wears a hand-fabricated hood and grille trim, custom rear quarter ducts, custom Ion Beam headlights, and the factory rear delta wing that has become one of the model’s most recognizable styling cues. Inside, the black cabin retains creature comforts like factory air conditioning, blending everyday usability with the car’s track-ready hardware. More interior and detail photos are available through the ad on Mecum.com.
This Pantera GTS is listed as Lot F140, set to cross the block on Friday, August 14th during Mecum’s Monterey 2026 auction, carrying a pre-sale estimate of $240,000 to $275,000. With its blend of period Italian-American exotic pedigree and an exhaustive modern rebuild, it stands out as one of the more compelling GT offerings of the sale. Bidders can register and review full details through this Pantera’s official listing on Mecum.
Visit our website to register to bid, consign your vehicle and browse all consignments. The Mecum Monterey Auction takes place August 13-15 in beautiful Monterey, California.
