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

[Kirk Evans]

Mike,

I saw pictures of this car several years ago and it was un-touched---no US bumpers, marker lights were not installed, un-touched e-vap system and no catalytic converts just from the pictures.  If the car has both EPA and DOT releases that's good---I just find it hard to believe that the work was completed and would be interested in knowing the who-what-when-where on the conversion work. 

Older direct imports were privately imported and all had to go through DOT. You could bring in a one time exempt from EPA as an individual through the 80s. I believe that one time exempt reg has been changed.. 

In the old days, there were several shops---one in particular in California---that could EPA pass a 747 fully loaded at take off and  guarantee the crash integrity of a south boarder built piñata Ferrari. 

If there is proper paper work, it should be good to go BUT make sure the trail is real and not serial numbers changed on copies of copies of copies. Don't mean to sound cynical but it's my many years of Pantera conversion work along with the times we live in today make me wonder of such scrupulous things my friend.

Kirk
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MikeLDrew at aol.com 
  To: kre at adelphia.net ; mbefthomas at comcast.net ; rimov at charter.net ; deTomaso at realbig.com 
  Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 3:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Lots of cars for sale - '86 GT5-S



  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


  **************
  Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001) 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.22/2015 - Release Date: 03/20/09 19:01:00