[DeTomaso] Supporting the Pantera legacy

Thu Dec 3 14:06:44 EST 2009

And I thought no one could write aswell (or as often) as Mike Drew. 
I was wrong.

Your points are well taken regarding not only supporting the known vendors (you forgot me ;-) but telling them you also appreciate them being in business.   I am glad you gave the little guys doing speciality work like Russ Fulps, Pat Mical and Kirk Evans shouts too. Don't forget Tommy Hodges.

Before anyone buys another TPR decal, hat or coin spend some real money on your engine, suspension, brakes and ZF. If you do that AJ will send you a special thank you card signed by me - no charge! ;-)

Ho Ho Ho- Merry Christmas

Mad Dawg Antenucci 
Team Pantera Racing 
The 1st & still the only vintage race team in open road racing 
www.teampanteraracing.com

________________________________
From: Asa Jay Laughton <asajay at asajay.com>
Cc: detomaso at realbig.com
Sent: Wed, December 2, 2009 8:15:16 PM
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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