[DeTomaso] #2075 finally sees some action.

[Charles McCall]

Phil -
1) Never give up! It may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it!
2) Take a look, and if possible a ride and/or drive in a finished
Pantera. It will help confirm #1. There's an active UK club and plenty
of great people who would be more than happy to help out
3) I think mounting an Audi V8 may be groundbreaking! Just for the
technical challenge, it would be interesting seeing if it could be
done
4) I wonder if you will be disappointed with that engine installed in
a Pantera. One of the differences between a classic, 5.8 liter,
carburated, nasty-cam'd car and a modern, EFI mill is the smoothness
and character. I like the fact that you feel the Cleveland in your
bones as well as hear it. It rumbles unlike anything modern. I've
driven a Pantera SI, and the experience was different than a Classic
Pantera due to this factory... something to keep in mind
5) Read #1 and don't give up!!

On 7/17/12, Phil Lockett <montecarlo296 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hey guys – it’s been a while – about 4 or 5 years if
> memory serves.
> Anyway, I have actually been working on #2075 for
> about a year now, and in some ways I wish I hadn’t started. Here’s the
> nightmare:
> Passenger side rocker inside the cockpit not
> attached to floor.
> Inner inner rocker completely missing due to rot
> over about 3 feet of it’s length.
> Section behind squab of passenger seat completely
> mangled
> Passenger side bulkhead section twisted and rotten.
> Strengthener  behind seats for seatbelt rotted.
> Both dropped floorpans held in with rivets and
> woodscrews
> Drivers side underneath rocker completely missing
> for 2 feet at the rear (Cut out)
> Drivers side lower A-post mostly rotted away
> Passenger side upper A-post rotted through
> Passenger side strengtheners around rear susp mounts
> rotted through.
> Rear body strengtheners above rear wheels rotted
> away
> Passenger side rear chassis leg bent
> Passenger side front chassis legs creased upper and
> lower.
> Rear light panel and entire roof are like a relief
> map of the Himalayas
> The entire body was cocooned in approx ½” of bondo ALLOVER, while the entire
> floor inside and out was covered in GRP
>  It took me 4-5 months to remove it all.
>
> I'm sure there's other nastiness that I've forgotten about - but i'm sure
> you get the idea.
>
>
> Good Bits: The front and rear fenders aren’t too
> bad. Though the front fender are effectively 2 fenders gas-welded together
>
> I’ve been welding for a couple of months and it is
> now at a stage where it isn’t in danger of snapping in half under it’s own
> weight.
>  I have an Audi 4.2v8 with gearbox, megasquirt and
> Innovate Wideband all ready to go minus the flywheel converter.
>  I’m missing all suspension uprights/Hubs.
>
> I’ve got an electric power steering column from a GM
> Vauxhall Corsa that is ready to be fitted.
>  I have Lancia Montecarlo(Scorpion) seats ready for
> re-trimming.
> New windshields are £650 over here – that’s in the
> region of $1000. Ouch.
>
>
> Any votes of confidence or offers of hubs
> appreciated.
>
> Phil (Mids UK)
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