[DeTomaso] Lots of cars for sale - '86 GT5-S

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/21/09 10 47 18, kre at adelphia.net writes:


> Unless someone has converted (DOT-EPA) that yellow car in the last year, it 
> has never been done, OR it was converted and all of the original parts were 
> re-installed back to Euro specks-----hard to believe----I would like to be a 
> ninja some day but most likely that will never happen.
> 
>>>HAHAHA!!!   This car was privately imported and DOT/EPA certified.   In 
fact he has photos of the paperwork showing at the bottom of his auction.
> 
> >I would venture to say it was driven over the border from Canada and found 
> a home in a state where the custom release paperwork is not an issue. I think 
> it would be impossible to register in California---do not know about the 
> other 49---most states once you have a title do not require the paper trail.
> 
>>>It would be an uphill battle in California, for sure, but the other 49 
states are probably no problem, especially since it's already successfully 
negotiated the DOT and EPA hoops and has been registered in Virginia (and now 
Florida) for years.
> 
> >Most of the direct import car "smart guys" from US customs have moved on 
> since the import regulations changed BUT if an agent that knows what is 
> required for a conversion sees this car---like at a show---he could pull it on site 
> and the owner would play hell getting it back. Just an FYI for those who may 
> be looking.
> 
>>>Again--it's already been done.
> 
> At this point with our sprint  towards socialism (more like warp drive) and 
> deficits/debts so large our children's, children's, children's, children's 
> children will not be able to pay them back, I doubt if a Pantera's import paper 
> work is an issue for anyone in the government.
> 
>>>HAHAHA!

This is a fairly well-known car.   It looks nice but is reportedly very rough 
underneath when you look at it closely.   It was for sale in Virginia for 
years, and Andy DiFatta (who owned #4220 until he sold it to Jim Wallace, PONE 
president) tried for a year and a half to buy it.   It was at a dealership, he'd 
make an appointment to go see it, drive from Connecticut to Virginia, only to 
find the dealership closed for the day!   He finally made arrangements to buy 
it, and then the seller (an old man) changed his mind....

Anyway, it eventually found its way to California, where it is currently 
owned by a guy named Bruce Adair in Richmond (East Bay, San Francisco area).   I 
first saw the car, and met him, in Monterey a few years ago.   He had his 
9-months-pregnant wife in the car at the time!

He has been trying to sell it on Craigslist for more than a year; the fact 
that it probably can't be registered in California is probably working against 
him.

The auction says that it's a divorce sale. :<(   

I would budget a fair bit for bodywork/upholstery on this car.   It may not 
be rusty (I don't know about that at all), but I think the front valance is a 
bit hammered, the leather seats have completely died, and the condition of the 
car (last time I saw it) was basically 'driver rough', etc.   It looks better 
in the photos; maybe the paint just needed a good detailing.

In any case, it will sell for something between the current bid of $53K and 
the buy-it-now price of $59K, which would make it a reasonable deal in my 
opinion.

Mike


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