[DeTomaso] Attainable 70's muscle cars

[Christopher Kimball]

The other day I came across a book entitled something like "The World's Best 50 Cars."  I was pleased to find the Pantera listed among the 50 best, and the picture of a pristine yellow Pantera was neat to see.
 
I was really irritated, however, as I read the two-page description since it basically did nothing but criticize the car as being slapped together and completely unreliable.  The author said Ford got so fed up with the "poor build quality" of the car they discontinued relationship with DeTomaso because of it.
 
To top it all off, although the correct 351 Cleveland engine was mentioned in the article, the side bar listed the engine as a 280 cubic inch.  Where they got that I don't know.
 
I know there is some truth in what was written in the article, but it certainly wasn't balanced.
 
Sincerely,
 
Chris
#3846> From: MikeLDrew at aol.com> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:39:31 -0400> To: michael at michaelshortt.com; msm at portata.com> CC: detomaso at realbig.com> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Attainable 70's muscle cars> > > In a message dated 4/15/08 10 32 22, michael at michaelshortt.com writes:> > > > I think many people think or have read in various places that Panteras were> > imported from 1971, 1972, and 1973 and that all 1974's are really left over> > 1973 models and therefore don't count them as a sep year model.> > > > I'd be curious to hear from M Drew and/or Chuck about any cars that were> > actually built in 1974 and imported later in 1974 that wasn't made from left> > over parts or perhaps the myth is true, I personally have no idea which is> > correct.> > > > >>>Panteras were indeed built well into the 1974 calendar year. Some > California-market GTS Panteras were actually 1973 models, sold new in 1974, whereas > the other 49 states got 1974 model year GTS Panteras.> > What's odd is that 1974 L-models were able to be sold in California; Barry > Appelbaum in San Diego is the original owner of his '74L and he got it rather > late in the year; he had to wait quite awhile for delivery to his dealer.> > Mike> > > **************> It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money & > Finance.> (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolcmp00300000002850)> _______________________________________________> > Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA> > Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/> > DeTomaso mailing list> DeTomaso at list.realbig.com> http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso