Yahoo Autos Racing-inspired De Tomaso Pantera is a Hot Wheels Legends Tour finalist
The annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour is back after taking August off, and the brand has selected a resto-modded 1971 De Tomaso Pantera as a finalist in the event. Inspired by the world of vintage racing, the coupe will compete for the chance to join the Hot Wheels catalog.
Dave Adelman of Dallas, Texas, spent about 14 years building his dream Pantera. He drew inspiration from the cars that competed in Group 4 races in the 1970s but chose not to create a replica. Instead, he gave his project a one-of-a-kind look by integrating wheel arch flares into the body, fitting more modern-looking headlights, and removing the exterior door handles. Blue paint and white accents on the lower body add a finishing touch to the look. It's not just for show: Adelman also installed a roll cage to make the Pantera eligible for vintage racing.
While the Pantera was built for competition, it's not a stripped-out track car. Inside, there's a pair of bucket seats, an aftermarket two-spoke steering wheel with a 12-o'clock mark, and full instrumentation, including a row of auxiliary gauges on the center stack. The upholstery, the carbon fiber trim on the dashboard, and the shift knob aren't original, but they bring this Pantera in line with the popular resto-modding trend.
