blown 87

That is still a manual though? right?

20 grand for a trans is way out of my league

polecat702

It doesn't have a clutch pedal. The paddle shifter engages a electric servo-motor that works the hydraulic M/C, and slave for the clutch. It's very fast, and shifts faster than the foot clutch setup. It also costs around 5 grand, installed. Brings the Pantera up to par with Italy's finest.
For the money, I don't think there is a better bang for the buck than a new Vette, or Pantera. Anything in they're league is way over 150 grand.

blown 87

The Corvette is ugly next to yours, and that comes from a Corvette fan.

polecat702

Greg, you're going to have to get a Pantera. It's one of life's true pleasures, when your a car guy. I bought mine new, it was a lot of money back then, and I've spent 20 times that amount on it over the years. It's still as much fun to drive today as it was 36 years ago, maybe more.

BTW, have you ever been to the big aquarium in Georgia? Dee & I are thinking about driving out towards the end of this summer. Something we would both love to see.
Thanks, Joe

blown 87

I took the kids (I call them kids, 21) and they would not let me in due to me being armed, I stayed outside, kids said it was great though.

polecat702

Thanks, We'll check it out.

garth66

Don't give up on the dream. You don't need an automatic. Check out Ron Hyde's hand controls on his Pantera.
http://home.comcast.net/~parapantera...4fbaca2b70e9a6

17prospective buyer

So more or less, the Pantera community outreach is equalled only by the 928's?

garth66

+1

tammons

I had a 1971 Pantera for years.

Did a total restoration and probably spent about 1000 hours on sheet metal and body work alone. If you buy one be aware that a majority of the raw pantera bodies cars sat outside in the yard unprotected in Italy for several weeks.

I Replaced all sorts of metal and had to make or have made a lot of sheet metal parts but I did it right. All the flat parts were galvanized. Sandwich parts were protected with weld through undercoating. All raw metal parts were painted with an etching primer, then Epoxy, then body work and paint. The guy that bought it got a good deal.

Engine, trans, axles, molded engine compartment, burlwood interior etc.

Obviously I got one of the bodies that had been outside in the rain at the factory as it had a lot of hidden rust. If you are one of the lucky ones then your car never got wet before it was finished.

Some cars were not even a year old when Ford was installing rear frame weld on brace kits due to rust.

Some of the sandwich layers on these cars are 3 layers, so just because a car looks perfect means nothing.

All I will say is have someone go over it that really knows what they are doing with panteras.

I had my car for about 15 years and drove ti for about 10. They are a scream to drive, but never were designed for comfort in mind especially if you are tall. They are loud, obnoxious and very fast cars. Had a woman pull up beside me one day and yelled out her window "You think you are hot shot dont you" I replied yes and laughed.

Had a guy on I-95 in a 87 Mustang back in the mustang HP crazy days that wanted to race me. We were both doing about 90. He kept on running up beside me and flooring it then backing off.
He finally gave up and pulled off a few car lengths in front of me and was cruising.

I then let him get good and comfortable and blew by him doing about 150 and he did not even try.

I was Laughing my *** off.

Fun cars but 928s are about a million times more comfortable.
I built a twin turbo 928 5 speed and it was actually a lot more fun to drive
than my pantera.

illini-heel

[QUOTE=garth66;7712332]There are no composite bonding issues with a Pantera. Rust is a concern, but then again it's a concern with ANY Porsche, Ferrari, Mustang, Camaro, etc from the early 70's. Know what to look for and you'll find a solid car. As Polecat and others have pointed out, ALL the problems have been solved.

I think the Pantera is a joy to drive. I've put almost 7,000 miles per year on mine since I've owned it. It's not as plush or supple as a 928, but it does deliver a much better ride than you'd expect. Handling is quick and light with go-kart-like reflexes, although steering is quite heavy at parking lot speeds. Power is impressive, even in stock trim. And, the car is reliable!

I don't own a 928, although I've driven a few - was looking for one for a while, and a good friend at work has one that he's let me drive. Comparing the 928 with a Pantera is difficult. They're different animals, and each does it's job well. I would love to own both. Maybe someday!

Check out my website to learn more about Panteras:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com

Here are a few links I'm sure you will enjoy...

Killer Bee video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...illow+Springs#

March 1981 Popular Mechanics - Great article on page 112 which covers the 928 and the Pantera. I think you’ll enjoy it. I did!
http://books.google.com/books?id=tdg...page&q&f=false

DeTomaso Pantera in Spa-Francorchamps:
[/QUOTE

Love the article, thanks.

bradartigue

+1 on the cooling problems.

I had the displeasure of photographing an Italian Car Day in Atlanta in 2002 or so and the Pantera crowd decided to descend upon it. The President of the club was irate that they had to wait in line (cars were photographed upon entry); at first I thought he was just confirming his own oddness, but really he was mad because 1/2 of the cars overheated or fouled plugs while idling.

brutus

What they lacked was BRAKES !! which can be fixed as you put on new big wheels to get room for decent rotors and calipers. The 351 Cleveland engine is a big heavy lump and as mentioned the transaxles were marginal never intended for that much torque. Interesting looking cars cramped hot loud and rather fast, fun for a short ride.

tammons

+1 on the brakes.

Even the bottom line hall setup was a huge improvement.
Also needs mucho rubber on the road.

Dont know about the transaxle, but from what I understand they could take a lot of power, like into the 700-800 HP range. I never had any problems and I used to hammer on mine a good bit, but it seems like I remember reading that from sitting around the gears and ring and pinion could rust pit and that would cause major problems.

These cars if stock need a major upgrades and brakes is one of them.
New booster, master cylender, rotors, calipers etc.
All if not done already....

Add to that wheels and some meaty tires, suspension bushings (if not done), decent shocks,
radiator, pressure tank, radiator fans, rotary AC compressor (get rid of the york), decent headlight motor, window motors, check very carefully rear shock towers for rust, decent clutch, dropped floor pans and some comfortable seats, some decent sound insulation and so on.

If you pull the engine and its got the original gas tank count on replacing that and you might as well go SS.

And I could go on.

They are so flexible, they really need a roll bar inside and especially a cage in the engine compartment.
More to stiffen up the body than anything else. Seems like I remember them being called Flexible Flyers at one time.

If you upgrade it to about that level it will be a really nice driver.

When I was restoring my car, I found a few parts that crossed over to Alfa Romeos, Euro fords etc.
Weird stuff when you start digging into them.

If I ever buy another one it will be a GT5-S, but you have to bend over for those cars. I think there was only 50 or so made the last year of the GT5-S

h011yw00d

[quote=illini-heel;9570238]Nice article. Thanks!