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In 1984, De Tomaso Australia exported Australian made Cleveland V8's to Italy, headed for the De Tomaso factory. Because of the export credit earned, they were in turn able to import the range of cars in knocked-down form with reduced duty.
Paul Halstead, from De Tomaso Australia, ordered a lightweight shell from Italy in 1985, and enlisted the help of McLaren and Kaditcha designer Barry Lock. They decided to make a full ground-effects Pantera for the Australian GT Championship.
Weighing 900kg, producing 612bhp from a 383-cid Ford V8, and with the help of driver Kevin Bartlett, it won every race it contested, even lapping the entire field in its final ever race at Winton Victoria. As the regulations changed in 1987, the car was retired undefeated. Recently, after 27 years of inactivity, the car was refurbished and returned to it's original specification, and entered in a number of Australian historic events.
Paul Halstead, from De Tomaso Australia, ordered a lightweight shell from Italy in 1985, and enlisted the help of McLaren and Kaditcha designer Barry Lock. They decided to make a full ground-effects Pantera for the Australian GT Championship.
Weighing 900kg, producing 612bhp from a 383-cid Ford V8, and with the help of driver Kevin Bartlett, it won every race it contested, even lapping the entire field in its final ever race at Winton Victoria. As the regulations changed in 1987, the car was retired undefeated. Recently, after 27 years of inactivity, the car was refurbished and returned to it's original specification, and entered in a number of Australian historic events.
