Ducktona Car Show to showcase rare Pantera

Over the past two decades the annual Sheboygan Falls Chamber-Main Street Ducktona 500 Classic Car Show has earned a reputation for drawing some of the most rare, unique, exotic and just plain eye-popping cars in the area.

This year is no exception, as a vintage 1971 DeTomaso Pantera will be among the featured cars in an expected field of over 400 highly diverse entries.

The rare Italian-made, high-performance sports car is one of only 8,000 sold in the United States as Ford imports, between 1971 and 1974.

After two years of searching for the hard-to-find Pantera model, Craig Skala of Milwaukee purchased the car in 2003.

“I have been interested in Panteras since I was a kid,” he said. “They have some really unique features and a pretty cool look to them.

“I spent two years searching for one, and finally I came across this one. I have really enjoyed owning it.”

The car sports a red exterior and block interior, with a nearly complete stock configuration.

“The car has almost all the same features that it had when it was made in 1971,” Skala said. “The wing on the back, which is from a 1985 Pantera and the wheels are different than what the original car had.

“It was in very good shape when I bought it, so I haven’t had to do much to it, except a little bit of repainting,” he said.

The car is powered by a 351 Ford V8 engine, with a ZF five-speed transaxle.

“The Panteras were only built with one powertrain configuration, which is pretty unique,” Skala said. “The engine is also distinctive, because it is located in the back of the car. That typically draws a lot of attention at car shows.”

According to Skala, the mid-engine design, helps to give the car its exotic look.

“Having the engine is in the back allows the first of the car to be designed with a low, sleek look,” he said. “It is also good for performance and give the car very good balance on the road.”

Skala takes the car to several auto shows, as well as on-track vintage car events each year.

“Although it is a show car, I do get it out on race tracks once in a while for vintage events,” he said. “I take it to Road America each year to show it off in action.

As an avid car collector, Skala is active in the Northwood Shelby Club. He owns a 1968 Shelby Mustang, which he will be taking to Road America for the upcoming Northwood Shelby Club open track event Aug. 30-31.

“My other car passion is Shelbys,” he said. “It is fun to get together with other Shelby owners, like we will be doing later in the summer at Road America. It is a public events, so everyone is invited to come out and watch on those days.”

“These are not events where you are out there to go fast, it is just for fun.”

Despite its sleek appearance, Skala said Panteras are one of the most affordable vintage sports cars.

“I think these cars are nice because they have the performance of a European sports cars, but they are also very reliable with good Ford engines,” he said. “Parts are relatively easy to find.”

After visiting the Ducktona Car Show for the first time last year as a spectator, Skala is looking forward to be part of the festivities this year.

“Last year I came just to look around,” he said. “I am excited about bringing the Pantera this year.

“The car normally draws quite a bit of interest from people. It is fun to see them try to guess what kind of car it is. A lot of people think it is a Ferrari or a Lotus.”

The Ducktona 500 Classic Car Show will take place Sunday, July 4, at River Park in Sheboygan Falls, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.