MATCHBOX restoration and custom: 8G De Tomaso Pantera

Restoring and customising a Lesney Matchbox No. 8G De Tomaso Pantera, in the Matchbox Superfast range from 1975 until 1982. Help support the channel via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DiecastRestos Or become a YouTube member to get access to unique perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnejV0mBuRlTcGcnIit2_0A/join Take a look at the DieCastRestos Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/DieCastRestos If you'd like to send me something, get in touch via email here: jason.crouch88@gmail.com This is a duo that I've been looking forward to restoring and customising for some time. The Matchbox 8G De Tomaso Pantera. I managed to source some truly excellent reproduction decals to replace the lost stickers. But the original casting had some great cast in detail, particularly at the rear in need of highlighting with a custom. So I did just that. One of my 1975 to 1981 castings had been crushed above the driver's side window so that needed bending back into shape. Sadly though, because the novelty wheels fitted by Lesney were just so big, my custom wheels of choice just didn't look right, so I had to delve into my stock of Greenlight wheels to fit a larger set instead. Still, I think my chosen wheels suit. The Pantera was in production for 20 years between 1971 and 1991. 7,620 were made, with the majority arriving between 1972 and 1975 when De Tomaso allowed Ford to import the vehicles and then become involved in the production process. More than three quarters of the production volume came during this time. De Tomaso of course utilised Ford engines throughout the existence of the original incarnation. Parts source: https://blacksquaredecals.co.uk/ Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Hackers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4Of3lID84 Outro Odysseus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp7h0j3_Y40 1971 De Tomaso Pantera image credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/1971_DeTomaso_Pantera.jpg De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S image credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/De_Tomaso_Pantera_GT5-S_%287160836758%29.jpg #Matchbox #Diecast #Restoration

Added 9 Aug 2026