[DeTomaso] Opinions requested

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/10/12 10 06 18, cengles at cox.net writes:


> 
> 
> 
>             What is the reputation of QA1 shocks and springs?
> 
>>>Excellent, with one caveat.   Both Wilkinson and Larry Stock sell the 
same shocks, BUT Wilkinson puts appropriate-strength springs on them, while 
Larry puts springs that are way, WAY too soft on his.   I didn't know that 
when I bought mine, and spent years bouncing all over the place when driving 
really hard.   

Admittedly they were nice and cushy when driving down the freeway, but 
that's not what I bought a Pantera for.

I sold them (with full disclosure!) to a fellow PCNC member who was after 
nice and cushy, and fitted a set of Konis with proper-weight springs.   The 
car was transformed.

In retrospect, I could easily have junked Larry's springs and fitted proper 
ones (QA1 will sell you a spring in just about any length and strength, 
cheaply) and been just as happy.
> 
> 
> >          What is the reputation of Boyd Coddington wheels?
> 
> >>>Are you talking about Campy replica wheels?
> 
When Coddington was making wheels for Pantera East, they were quite good.   
But they they had a parting of the ways, and Coddington got into the 
business of making and selling various rip-off editions, using much thinner 
(cheaper) blanks, taking unfortunate liberties with the original design, etc. etc.

I've never heard any quality issues about those wheels (i.e. they are 
round, and true), but from an aesthetic opinion, some of them leave a LOT to be 
desired.

FWIW I just had a set of Marino's current wheels pass through my hands on 
the way to a European buyer (being made by a different custom wheelmaker in 
So-Cal) a few weeks ago, and they were excellent.   I also had a set of 
Wilkinson's wheels pass through last week, and they were quite good, although 
lacking some of the three-dimensional quality of Marino's wheels.

Mike