[DeTomaso] Kiyosho Pantera model update

[Christopher Kimball]

As mentioned in a previous post, I received one of the 1/18-scale, Kiyosho Pantera models from my wife for our 26th wedding anniversary, but it arrived damaged.  The back wheel flopped around (one of the uprights was broken), the antenna was broken off, one headlight was loose in the box, and the headlight lever to raise and lower the lights was only partially operative.
I contacted Amazon, who contacted the seller and I was told I could get a refund, but I'd have to pay shipping to get the car back to the vendor.  I told them I didn't want to pay shipping, and couldn't they just send me a new car and a return shipping label.
I was told they were out of stock--which is what several of you thought might be the case.  I immediately went to ebay and found one new in the box for sale for the same price my wife had paid for the one which arrived damaged.  I ordered the one on ebay, figuring I could get a refund for the other one, even if I had to pay the $11 shipping back to the vendor.
Here's the good part:  The vendor of the original, broken car issued me a full refund, including shipping, and then told me I did not need to return the damaged model!
Now, it may be that the replacement one I ordered will arrive damaged, too, but in the meantime I got to work with silicone rubber, model glue, tweezers and a light that straps to my head.  Long story short:  I was able to put the broken car back together again, pretty much, except the headlight up-and-down lever still isn't right.  That's OK, though, since I won't be driving it at night...
What I found interesting, and a little annoying, is that as I went to try and repair the broken upright on the rear suspension, I saw quite clearly that it had been repaired before.  It had broken off at a very weak point, and someone had attempted to fix the problem, without success, apparently.  It is so fragile now that if anyone sneezes within 10 feet of this thing, the back wheel will probably fall off again.
Typical when buying a car--it's been wrecked but the seller doesn't want you to know!  If only I could have gotten a Marti report for the Kyosho Pantera!
Sincerely,
Chris   		 	   		  
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