[DeTomaso] 1974 DETOMASO PANTERA GTS ORIGINAL, UNRESTORED PROTOTYPE - $85000

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/18/14 9 55 52, michael at michaelshortt.com writes:


> IMHO Opinion...Puffery.
> I have no idea why one would prototype
> a trim package that had been made for years.
> 
>>>Well, this car is certainly unusual.   Calling it a 'prototype' is more 
than a bit of a stretch.   My understanding is that it is a special-order 
car built for a Ford exec.   As such, it is a odd hybrid between the USA and 
Euro models.   It has the Euro interior (upholstered in leather or vinyl, 
can't really tell, and alcantara or velour apparently), but the USA bumpers.   
It has USA gauges and switches but a Euro GTS steering wheel.


> >GTS models were made in Europe

> in previous years, it is true that US GTS models
> were only made in 1974. 150 of them in total.
> 
>>>The first part is not true--a considerable percentage of the US-market 
GTS Panteras were made in 1973, and those sold in California were apparently 
titled as 1973 cars to get around more onorous 1974 smog restrictions.   
It's often mistakingly said that only 98 US-market GTS Panteras were made; that 
fails to account for the 52 1973 models (California cars).

All US-market GTS Panteras wore standard wheels (7- and 8-inch).   Note 
that the flares are painted black on this car, which is another Kustom touch.


> >This would be 1 of 60 made in silver/black
> (if the serial tag confirms it is a GTS)
> There are also 6O black cherry/burgandy and Black
> and 30 in Yellow/Gold and Black.
> 
>>>Given this car's Italo-American hybrid status, it seems quite likely 
that this was not one of the 150 GTS Panteras, but rather a one-off custom car 
that wore a conventional VIN.   Simply looking at the VIN and body service 
number will reveal all.

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 12/18/14 9 55 52, michael at michaelshortt.com writes:

     IMHO Opinion...Puffery.
     I have no idea why one would prototype
     a trim package that had been made for years.

   >>>Well, this car is certainly unusual.  Calling it a 'prototype' is
   more than a bit of a stretch.  My understanding is that it is a
   special-order car built for a Ford exec.  As such, it is a odd hybrid
   between the USA and Euro models.  It has the Euro interior (upholstered
   in leather or vinyl, can't really tell, and alcantara or velour
   apparently), but the USA bumpers.  It has USA gauges and switches but a
   Euro GTS steering wheel.

     >GTS models were made in Europe
     in previous years, it is true that US GTS models
     were only made in 1974. 150 of them in total.

   >>>The first part is not true--a considerable percentage of the
   US-market GTS Panteras were made in 1973, and those sold in California
   were apparently titled as 1973 cars to get around more onorous 1974
   smog restrictions.  It's often mistakingly said that only 98 US-market
   GTS Panteras were made; that fails to account for the 52 1973 models
   (California cars).
   All US-market GTS Panteras wore standard wheels (7- and 8-inch).  Note
   that the flares are painted black on this car, which is another Kustom
   touch.

     >This would be 1 of 60 made in silver/black
     (if the serial tag confirms it is a GTS)
     There are also 6O black cherry/burgandy and Black
     and 30 in Yellow/Gold and Black.

   >>>Given this car's Italo-American hybrid status, it seems quite likely
   that this was not one of the 150 GTS Panteras, but rather a one-off
   custom car that wore a conventional VIN.  Simply looking at the VIN and
   body service number will reveal all.
   Mike