[DeTomaso] Have We Destroyed the Detomaso Pantera?

Fri Jan 17 19:18:05 EST 2014

We didn't create the myth about the Pantera being flawed.

Owners, as a whole, have hurt values by doing questionable modifications.

If we did concours restorations, except perhaps upgrades that improve the original design, values would probably be 2x what they are today.

By improving the design, I mean engine mods that are mostly internal, correcting the fuse box issues, campy clones, and that sort of thing.  As soon as you add flares, big bore mufflers, an 800HP engine, and so on, you start lowering values (usually).  That's what Adam Carolla meant when he said he hates Pantera owners.

But I say, do what makes <you> happy.  Just don't expect to get your money back.  Which is funny, because when you go to a psychiatrist (or a t!tty bar), you don't expect to get your money back.  You expect to leave happy.

On Jan 17, 2014, at 4:25 PM, Ed Pike <erjpike at gmail.com> wrote:

> I respectfully disagree with the thought that we (current owners) have created the myth of the Pantera being flawed. I believe that the first cars that were sold , the 71 and 72's had some issues. Those issues were pretty well documented by the press of the time. The Pantera was "thee car" to have back then - a high profile car with some build issues. As a high profile car it got a lot of negativity from people who wanted it but could't afford it or could not own it because their lifestyle would not make it practical. As we all know those issues are fixable. Tesla is a good example of what I am talking about. It has been "thee car to have". A reputation for being innovative and desirable. Then 3 cars catch fire and it is headline news for weeks with a lot of negative press!
> 
> Personally I like the prices going up because I already have mine. I bought it to drive and not for an investment. I enjoy every aspect of the car including the fact that it is not a very common car or well known. I like to educate the uninformed as to what the car is. I also didn't lament when prices went down a few years ago. I don't plan on selling it because I have too much fun driving it. 
> 
> We discuss issues and find fixes for those issues. In my opinion that is not creating an image of it being a poor quality car. it shows the determination of the owners to keep the car on the road where they belong. Occasionally you may find a basher in the ownership ranks but they are few and far between. 
> 
> Just my Opinion,
> 
> Ed…..
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 12:02 PM, michael at michaelshortt.com <michael at michaelshortt.com> wrote:
> Let me chime in,
> 
> I read the Ferrari 355 post as well and agree with it 100%.
> 
> I spent 50% of my conversations at correcting misconceptions about our cars.
> 
> We may be our own worst enemy, but next in line are magazine half wits that write about something of which they know nothing about.
> 
> Something is worth what somebody else will pay for it, lately it seems they will pay more for a Pantera.
> 
> It only matters to me in that it reaffirms my decision to buy one and get the car that I always wanted more than any other car
> and reasonably justify the expense as a better investment than a bank, you can't haul ass and have fun sitting behind a CD, T-Bill or Stock Certificate.
> 
> Life is short, we need to enjoy it as much as we can and if one can do that and have the decision make financial sense, that's a freaking win-win by any definition.
> 
> Last Sunday I took my car for a drive and stopped to check the air and the car was surrounded by about 7 guys ( always guys, rarely women....sigh )
> before I had checked the air in one tire. One of the men asked me what I thought the car might sell for and I gave him a high number that still wouldn't cause mine to change hands
> and he made my day by saying..."Are you sure, that seems cheap".
> 
> Michael Shortt
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 11:44 AM, Jeff Detrich <jjdetrich at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> On Thu, Jan 16, 2014 at 2:52 PM, <audionut at hushmail.com> wrote:
> Here we go again!  (I always bum out when somebody laments that the Pantera is unfairly undervalued)  = ]  Let me break out the violin....
> 
> I understand what you are saying, however:
> 
> 1) Rising Pantera values makes no difference to me personally, and that's probably true for a lot of us. However, rising values makes it easier for people to justify doing things the right way when they are maintaining or upgrading their cars. Many cars have not been maintained well because the owners couldn't justify the expense. (ie, Pantera prices are in the pits, the car's a loser, why should I spend money on it to fix it right.)  Once again, that doesn't apply to me or you but there a lot of cars where that has happened.
> 
> 2) I am evangelical regarding the Pantera's good qualities, including its reliability if properly maintained. Unfortunately, many non-Pantera people are still to be converted. Rising prices give credence to the goodness of the car to the non-believers. For me, having non-Pantera people recognize the goodness of the car is a good thing. ( I know this reflects my insecurities, but I am who I am. %^) )
> 
> Jeff
> 6559
> 
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> -- 
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> 
> Michael L. Shortt
> Savannah, Georgia
> www.michaelshortt.com
> michael at michaelshortt.com
> 912-232-9390
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> -- 
> Thanks,
> 
> Ed...
> 
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