[DeTomaso] R&T Article

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/4/13 14 30 28, pantdino at aol.com writes:


> The wealthy elite of collectors decided a few years ago the Bizzarini 
> 5300 was an ultimate exotic and their values soared.
> 
> So much BS in the collector car world
> 

>>>I was speaking with Fred Phillips, the noted De Tomaso (and others) 
collector from Calgary, just the other day.   He just got back from a mega 
Lamborghini fun run in Montana.   When his Miura engine ate its cam bearings 
shortly before departure, he substituted a scruffy but solid Bizzarrini 5300 
instead.   He had owned it for a couple of years (in fact I drove up to Calgary 
with him when he trailered it home) but had never put any real miles on it.

He was just blown away.   He said it is, by far, the best-driving car in 
his 100+ car collection.   With a chassis designed by the fellow responsible 
for the Ferrari 250 GTO just a few years earlier, coupled with a roomy cabin, 
great sightlines, and a powerful Corvette engine and four-speed gearbox 
with very long gears in the differential, he said it was just spectacular, fit 
him perfectly, and seemed as though it was custom-tailored for him.

It's unfortunate that most 5300 owners today won't ever put 2000-3000 miles 
on them in a few days, as Fred just did, for they are truly missing out.

Having said that, Fred doesn't own a Pantera yet.   He's working on it, 
though.   I think he would find Nirvana behind the wheel of a Pantera Si--he 
made a half-hearted attempt at buying one last fall, but never really pursued 
it hard enough to make it happen.

It would be interesting to see how the 5300 would compare to a really good 
Pantera?   I suspect the 5300 would be much more comfortable car for 
long-distance work....

Mike