[DeTomaso] Supporting the Pantera legacy

Thu Dec 3 00:40:25 EST 2009

Very good thoughts; I concur completely.

Thanks,

Chris
#3846 (with a whole lot of vendor-supplied parts!)

> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 20:15:16 -0800
> From: asajay at asajay.com
> To: 
> CC: detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Supporting the Pantera legacy
> 
> I'll try to keep this short... but y'all know me better. ;)
> 
> The Pantera is nearing 40 years old.  Think back to when you were a kid, 
> a teenager; think back to what cars were 40 years old at that time.  For 
> me, it would have been anything from the 1930's.  How many of those cars 
> are still on the road today, nearly 70 years later?  Not many to my 
> recollection unless they've been restomod'd into Hot Wheels.
> 
> Now think of the cars that were the most popular and sought after.  For 
> me, Mustangs, Camaros and Mopars from the late 60's come to mind.  How 
> many of -those- do you still see out there?  Quite a few even if it -is- 
> mostly at shows.
> 
> Now it could be said there were more of those produced than those from 
> the 1930's or the 1940's or even the 50's.  But what helps those classic 
> cars survive today?  It's not the collector machining new parts in his 
> garage for his favorite classic toy.  It's the vendor.
> 
> It's the vendor who has gone through the trouble of finding compatible 
> parts.  It's the vendor who has spent their own money to have parts 
> retooled.  It's the vendor who has gained experience and collected items 
> together that are useful and will keep your classic on the road.  Pick 
> up any magazine copy featuring classic Fords, Mustangs or Chevy's and 
> you'll find a plethora of vendors who can supply nearly every component 
> you'll ever need.  But how about the Pantera?
> 
> Gary Hall once opined to me he probably had all the parts necessary to 
> build a Pantera from scratch.  Kirk Evans has called -me- to help 
> explain technical issues.  Bobby Byers has "scrounged" looking for parts 
> for me.  Steve Wilkinson has credited me for parts I ended up not using 
> (and sent back), and taken the time to talk with me about "things" 
> Pantera.  I've talked with and purchased items from Marino Perna and 
> Dennis Quella.  Larry Stock worked with me on radiator exchanges one 
> year, twice in one week during a Fun Rally.  Pantera International has 
> provided part here and there for me as well.  There are more.  Many of 
> these guys will stay with you on the phone for hours just to talk you 
> through problems..... at no charge.  And there are more who aren't 
> specifically Pantera vendors, but who do support us. 
> 
> Pat Mical has created some wonderful parts that many on this list are 
> thrilled with.  Many of you have purchased parts from Ipsco.  Ted 
> Mitchell has a few Pantera specialty items.  Who can forget Lloyd Butfoy 
> at RBT, building and rebuilding ZF transaxles for Panteras, GT40 
> replicas and others.  And then, where do you get your engine done if you 
> don't do it yourself?  Some of the vendors have a shop and do engines 
> themselves, others outsource, and then there is Russ Fulp who built the 
> last killer engine Mad Dog uses.  Those are the guys that keep the 
> Pantera alive.  Through good times, ...    and bad.
> 
> The last year has hit many of us hard economically.  There are folks on 
> this forum who have lost their jobs but kept up appearances.  There are 
> folks who are struggling to keep their head above water and are still 
> here.  There are those who are doing "okay" but not necessarily 
> "great."  I think -all- of us are feeling the pinch, our vendors 
> included.  Now it's Christmas 2009 and none of know exactly what 2010 
> has in store.
> 
> Without our patronage, we may lose vendors in the future.  Am I saying I 
> know of vendors who are struggling?  No, I'm saying we -all- are cutting 
> back, including them; they being in business have to make decisions just 
> like we do.  I personally don't want to see any of these guys go out of 
> business; they -all- seem to have something I want but can't buy just 
> yet.  Am I trying to get you to go out and spend more money?  Well duh.  
> Sorry, lost my head for a moment.  No, I'm not trying to push you into a 
> Christmas buying binge at your favorite Pantera vendor.  But wouldn't it 
> be nice if they knew you still cared about them offering parts and services?
> 
> Maybe it's time to start a new tradition.  If we can't dial a vendor up 
> and buy a part, even if it's a small one, to say Merry Christmas, then 
> maybe we should send them a card and tell them we appreciate the help 
> they've given us; to tell them we understand it's hard on them as it is 
> on us and we hope to continue using their parts and services in the future.
> 
> The Pantera doesn't have the production numbers of a Mustang or a 
> Camaro.  It's doesn't have a vendor network like they do either.  What 
> we have is precious, and as the car ages so do our vendors (the 
> businesses that is... the guys running them -never- age).  Hopefully the 
> more we use them, the greater chance they'll be around for years to come.
> 
> Another 10 years and the Pantera will be approaching 50 years old; how 
> many Panteras will be around then?  How many will be driven?  How many 
> will need parts?  How many vendors will there be?
> 
> You might want to say Thank You now.  Support your Pantera Vendor and 
> other vendors who support our hobby.
> 
> You might start here:
> http://www.poca.com/index.php/store/vendlst
> 
> 
> Asa Jay
> 
> Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
> 
> & Shelley Marie
> Spokane, WA
> 
> 1971 Mach I Mustang  [ASA JAY]
> 1973 Pantera L 5533  [ASASCAT]
>     
> ******************************     
> http://www.asajay.com
> http://www.teampanteraracing.com
>   
> 
> 
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