[DeTomaso] Earliest known Pantera

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/25/15 17 40 16, b.hower3400 at yahoo.com writes:


> I wonder what they changed from time of this test to shipping later cars?
> 

>>>Well, they changed an awful lot of things.   But arguably the most 
important change was to install a significant brace between the top of the center 
structure and the back side of the front 'firewall'.

Photo attached.

You can see that this piece is added on; it is spot-welded to the center 
tunnel, the back of the 'firewall', and the underside of the cowl.   It 
significantly strengthens the front of the car.

Panteras were already rolling off the assembly line when this was 
incorporated into the design.   While all US Panteras got them, De Tomaso didn't feel 
any strong compulsion to bring the Euro cars up to safe standards, so all 
the pre-US cars were sold without it.   I have sourced a couple of them from 
wrecked chassis to be added to Euro cars that were undergoing restoration, 
including Stephane Bergeron's #1256 and Kristian Poulsen's #1267.   

We have all heard about the fact that early US Panteras were all recalled 
for major chassis upgrades; I don't know if this was part of that upgrade, or 
if it was included in all the US-market cars.   I would have to assume that 
no cars would be sold here that didn't meet crash standards so it's 
probable that they all had them when the rolled off the boat, and that the recall 
dealt with less significant issues like the suspension falling off etc.   :>)

Mike
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   In a message dated 7/25/15 17 40 16, b.hower3400 at yahoo.com writes:

     I wonder what they changed from time of this test to shipping later
     cars?

   >>>Well, they changed an awful lot of things.  But arguably the most
   important change was to install a significant brace between the top of
   the center structure and the back side of the front 'firewall'.
   Photo attached.
   You can see that this piece is added on; it is spot-welded to the
   center tunnel, the back of the 'firewall', and the underside of the
   cowl.  It significantly strengthens the front of the car.
   Panteras were already rolling off the assembly line when this was
   incorporated into the design.  While all US Panteras got them, De
   Tomaso didn't feel any strong compulsion to bring the Euro cars up to
   safe standards, so all the pre-US cars were sold without it.  I have
   sourced a couple of them from wrecked chassis to be added to Euro cars
   that were undergoing restoration, including Stephane Bergeron's #1256
   and Kristian Poulsen's #1267.
   We have all heard about the fact that early US Panteras were all
   recalled for major chassis upgrades; I don't know if this was part of
   that upgrade, or if it was included in all the US-market cars.  I would
   have to assume that no cars would be sold here that didn't meet crash
   standards so it's probable that they all had them when the rolled off
   the boat, and that the recall dealt with less significant issues like
   the suspension falling off etc.  :>)
   Mike
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