[DeTomaso] Fwd: Refined Brute: 1972 De Tomaso Pantera

[Jeff Detrich]

I read the Classic Motorsports article and it is generally positive. One
thing I just don't understand is why Pantera owners always find something
negative to say about their cars. I've seen this over and over again at car
shows, in magazine articles, etc, etc. I find myself doing it
occassionally so I'm not knocking anyone.

>From the article, "though he acknowledges that at speeds much over 110 mph
(“closed course, professional driver,” of course) with the wide front
tires, front-end handling gets a little squirrelly."

As a practical matter, this may true about his car but it is not true about
a properly set up and maintained car. We need to be careful and more
positive when we talk about the cars. The rap on the Pantera is that is a
problem plagued car and *every time we say something negative, it just
reinforces that misconception*.

When the subject of problems come up, be ready with a response. When asked
about problems, I try to say that the very early cars had problems but they
were fixed by the factory and the later cars were great drivers. And here's
a good chance to put in a plug for the Pantera way of life. I always add
that over the years the factory and the Pantera vendors have added
enhancements that have made the car even better, more comfortable, better
handling, more powerful, and even better reliability. That's why you rarely
see a stock Pantera. And here I always add a final statement to the effect
that *a properly maintained and updated Pantera is an affordable and very
reliable car*.

If someone asks about a specific problem, be prepared to answer those, too.
Overheating  - solved (factory changed the radiator internal plumbing and
changed fans, today we use modern aluminum radiators), AC - solved (rotary
compressor and now have many aftermarket enhancements), brakes - solved
(truly, they were never bad, but adding Porterfield pads transforms them,
today we many aftermarket choices), electrics - solved (relays, and today
many aftermarket enhancements), trans - bulletproof (used in the GT40s at
LeMans). Learn these, "Early cars may have had problems but they were fixed
by...[add appropriate fix info.]"

Over the years, one of the things I've learned about good communicators is
that they are prepared and have a practiced response for just about any
important concept and/or objection they want to get across to other people.
Make a list of the five important reasons why the Pantera is a great car to
own and be ready with a response. If there questions about reliability, be
ready with a response. And always end it up with, "A properly maintained
and updated Pantera is an affordable and very reliable car."




Produced in Italy from 1971 to 1992, imported by Ford in the early 70’s
             7200 produced, approx 5000 to the USA

Advanced monocoque chassis designed by Dallara (builds Indy Cars today)
             Fully independent suspension, disk brakes, big wheels and tires

Mid-mounted 351 Cleveland, easily massaged to 350 HP

5 speed, limited slip ZF transaxle used in the LeMans winning GT40s (still
being built today)

Ahead of it’s time, ran circles around it’s contemporaries at the time,
Porsche, XKE, Ferrari Dino, Corvette

Exciting, yet compliant, handling still very competitive today

Cars are campaigned at Classic LeMans, Open Road Racing, club racing

Easy to own

             A/C, power brakes, power windows, comfortable interior,
dropped floor plans for tall people

             Relatively easy to maintain when compared to other exotics,
local mechanics available

             Very reliable when properly maintained

             Parts are readily available and reasonably priced

Factory is producing all the parts for the car

Active vendor community (use wheels as an example -18 -19 inch Campys
by four different vendors)
             Large selection of aftermarket performance, reliability,
safety, customization, racing parts, brakes,
                   electrics, interiors, cooling, chassis bracing,
performance parts designed and tested by the vendors

             Decent cars for $40-50,000, no premium for originality,
Panteras are drivers

             Local and national clubs



On Thu, Jul 11, 2013 at 9:15 PM, Boyd Casey <boyd411 at gmail.com> wrote:

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: *BarnFinds.com*
> Date: Thursday, July 11, 2013
> Subject: Refined Brute: 1972 De Tomaso Pantera
> To: boyd411 at gmail.com
>
>
> **
>  Instant Updates <http://www.barnfinds.com/>
>  Refined Brute: 1972 De Tomaso
> Pantera<http://www.barnfinds.com/refined-brute-1972-de-tomaso-pantera/>
>
> <http://www.barnfinds.com/refined-brute-1972-de-tomaso-pantera/>
>
> Panteras can appeal to any sort of enthusiast. They have the refinement of
> an Italian sports car and brute force of an American muscle car. The whole
> concept <http://classicmotorsports.net/articles/detomaso-pantera/> is a
> good one, but unfortunately many have now been lost to neglect and
> corrosion. This particular 1972 example is being offered by the sibling of
> a recently deceased brother. It was 1 of 3 Panteras that they owned and
> they had this one since the 80s. It needs work, but is definitely worth
> saving. Find it here on
> eBay<http://www.barnfinds.com/ebay.php?id=221252801192>out of
> Columbus, Ohio.
>
> The post Refined Brute: 1972 De Tomaso
> Pantera<http://www.barnfinds.com/refined-brute-1972-de-tomaso-pantera/
> >appeared
> first on Barn
> Finds <http://www.barnfinds.com>.
>
> Read more at barnfinds.com
> »<http://www.barnfinds.com/refined-brute-1972-de-tomaso-pantera/>
>  Click here to subscribe <http://www.barnfinds.com/subscribe/> or change
> frequency of updates.
>  1448 O'Dell Court, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
>
> Unsubscribe<
> http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?TIysrByMbLSsjAzMzJwsrLRGtIyczBycbKws>|
> Change
> Subscriber Options<
> http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?TIysrByMbLSsjAzMzJwsrLRGtIyczBycbKws>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>
> DeTomaso mailing list
> DeTomaso at poca.com
> http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
>