[DeTomaso] 1977 Camel GT Pantera

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Hi guys,

Word on the subject from Dave Kanahele, who undoubtedly knows far more 
about it than I do.

While I had heard that the Kleinpeter car had been sold to Japan, I don't 
remember who told that to me, and now I wonder if it's even true?

Mike

In a message dated 2/11/14 22 40 12, detomaso.pantera at verizon.net writes:


> Mike,
>   
>  I haven't followed the Pantera mail forums for awhile, but there were a 
> couple of questions on the POCA forum that I just saw. One about the Hugh 
> Kleinpeter race Pantera and another question about Hewland gearboxes in 
> Panteras. I may be able to add a bit of info below. Please feel to pass 
> this along if of interest.
>   
>  First re Hugh Kleinpeter's Pantera; it was located outside of Atlanta a 
> few years ago - surrounded by many other interesting historical race cars 
> and parts,  ... along with a couple of zebras! I have quite a few pictures 
> taken at the owner's place (at that time). From what I've heard the car was 
> still there - at least as of mid last year. The car was in a fire where it 
> was parked - not on the track. After competing at an international level, 
> and sometimes piloted by other notable drivers including Janet Guthrie at the 
> Daytona 24hr, it was sold to Vic Manuelli. In it's final form it was 
> competing in the IMSA GTP class, up against Lola T-600s! . It didn't have much 
> success on the international stage, but eventually is captured a National 
> title in SCCA with Vic Manuelli and Bruce Mallory. And even though I'm not as 
> old as Les, or maybe because I'm not as old as Les ;-) , I don't recall 
> which class it won... but I'm sure Google would know.
>   
>  I was not aware it has since shipped to Japan. But I do recall hearing 
> that about the ex-Bob Cleves Pantera going to Japan - some 30 years ago. That 
> was an awesome car!
>   
>  Too bad so many of these historic race Panteras are leaving the USA, but 
> seems there is more interest in other parts of the world. So at least the 
> upside is that they may be more likely to get back on the track.
>   
>  The John Storey IMSA Pantera was quite a bit different. As Les recalled 
> from his infallible memory, it used IMSA GTP uprights from a Lola, a Hewland 
> gearbox and only enough Pantera bits to make it legal to run against the 
> IMSA GTO cars of the late 80's. It was built from scratch to the limit of 
> the rules at that time. Full tube frame. I saw it run at Riverside in 1986. 
> Apparently when it rolled off the trailer for the IMSA event in Portland 
> later that year, the completion initially assumed it was a GTP car!
>   
>  Someone else asked about Panteras running Hewland gearboxes. I'm aware of 
> at least 6:
>   
>  - Warren Trope Pantera (as Jack mentioned)
>  - Gp 5 Pantera (I don't know the chassis number but I saw this car in 
> London with the Hewland. It was originally a factory Gp 4)
>  - Second Sala Marverti Gp 5 Pantera - has since been converted to Gp C 
> specs and is for sale. Someone should buy this car from Dave and Linda Adler 
> and convert it back to Gp 5, but only if it stays in the U.S :-)
>  - Australia tube frame Pantera raced by Kevin Bartlett (won at every 
> event it raced at!)
>  - John Storey IMSA Pantera (not to be confused with John's first race 
> Pantera which I believe was an ex-Gouldstrand race Pantera)
>  - ADA Pantera (gearbox was listed in various places as March and/or 
> Hewland gearbox, but it was the same box)
>   
>  I had purchased a March/Hewland gearbox (the 6-speed version of what 
> originally ran in the ADA car) back when I owned that car with a partner. After 
> I no longer needed it, I considered putting into my Gp 5 replica, but 
> have since sold that gearbox. I'm going back to the ZF to match the 
> same technical regulations as applied to the Kleinpeter Pantera. 
>   
>  There is also what appears to be a replica of the first Sala Marverti Gp 
> 5 Pantera running in Italy. No idea what gearbox it uses, but my 
> understanding is that the original "real" car, in either Gp 5 or Gp 4 form, always 
> had a ZF.
>   
>  Interesting looking at the list above and noting how few Gp 5 cars there 
> were. And I think 3 of the cars that raced originally in Gp 5 or IMSA 
> GTX have since been converted to another spec. Rare cars indeed!
>   
>  Dave
> 
> 
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