[DeTomaso] Dear Boyd - was Rookie needs help
MikeLDrew at aol.com
MikeLDrew at aol.com
Tue Aug 24 21:30:25 EDT 2010
In a message dated 8/24/10 9 56 27, fresnofinches at aol.com writes:
> Agreed, Mike is a bit biased to the more stock looking car. His choice.
> And mine.
>
>>>In my column however, you'll see that while I note that
Ferrari/Porsche/etc. purists look down on modified Panteras, I specifically said that *I*
don't, and in fact I appreciate the breadth and depth of the Pantera; it's
what makes it completely unique.
My criticisms about certain Panteras don't involve aesthetic
considerations, but rather low-class "There, I fixed it" mechanical hackery. For
instance, when I bought my car, it was rusted to shreds on the right side
wheelhouse. You know the little hole where the parking brake cable passes through
the sheetmetal between the inside of the car, and the caliper? My wheelhouse
had a crack completely through it, that started at that hole and ran all
the way up to the turn signal bucket! The car was literally splitting apart
there. So Jethro 'fixed' it by getting a piece of sheetmetal about the
size of the playing card, drilling four holes in it, then bolting it on either
side of the crack about halfway up!
The wheelhouse tubes were completely gone for the bottom two inches or so;
Jethro 'fixed' it by getting a piece of steel strap, about 2 inches wide,
drilling a couple of holes, and running it between the upper A-arm mounting
bolt and the lower A-arm mounting bolt!
The radiator fans were evidently acting up on him, so he 'fixed' it by
bypassing the relays, and wiring each fan directly to its own 1-amp (!) switch
mounted in the bottom opening on the instrument panel. But hey, they were
illuminated! When I took it apart (the day after taking possession of the
car), I found the wires burned and the switches melted.
THIS is the kind of hackery that I object to. Boyd, you can criticize me
all you want for my stance on this particular topic, but I think most will
agree that there are some lines, particularly mechanical lines, that
shouldn't be crossed.
Aesthetics are a much more subjective thing, but I would be hard-pressed to
find anybody who believes that putting fake sidepipes from the front
fenders, shag carpeting (to include the headliner), and an avocado green vinyl top
on a Pantera is an appropriate thing to do. Again, Boyd, if you choose to
go that route, knock yourself out. :>)
>
> >But the gist of his column was, as usual, worthy of endorsement.
>
>>>I'm glad you agree. I did receive numerous private e-mails from
various people when that column first appeared, all of which said variations of
"Amen brother!" Boyd is the first person I know of who expresses a contrary
view and defends those sorts of actions. But it takes all kinds, I
guess....
Mke
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