[DeTomaso] Tjaarda Interview Where He Tells Story Of Being Fired By DeTomaso

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/22/15 12 28 26, audionut at hushmail.com writes:


> Thanks Vinh--
> Interesting how he mentions the front end lift at high speed in the
> early car.  The implication there is that nothing was done to remedy
> this. Got me wondering.....anybody ever had a drag boat-style wipeout
> in a Pantera? Sure, the front end lifts a bit, but as long as we're
> tracking a straight line we should be okay right? I've only hit 130 in
> my non-spoiler'd L car and the front end lift didn't scare me too bad.
> But now that I've pulled off my mangled L bumper the front end is even
> lighter....
> 
>>>Well, the car won't flip over if that's what you mean.   But front-end 
lift is a real thing, at triple-digit speeds.   It's very easy to manage 
through a combination of slight downward rake, and a front spoiler.   While an 
air dam is obviously effective, even the small GTS spoiler is remarkably 
effective.   I've taken my car to about 140-145 mph without any noticeable lift.

Art Stephens, who by his own admission was a bit unhinged, used to love 
driving his Pantera in the desert at high speed.   He had no spoiler, and at 
160-170 mph the front end became very light.   Rather than being appropriately 
concerned, he found it amusing that the steering had virtually no effect.   
One sad day, he crossed a blind brow at that speed, a gust of wind got 
under the car and lifted it sideways so the right wheels got onto the dirt 
shoulder.  It then went sideways, flipped and rolled and banged forever through 
the desert, leaving the car a crumpled mess.   It's a miracle he survived, 
but thankfully somebody found the wreckage, he got a helicopter ride and 
walked out of the hospital a few days later.

He subsequently bought another Pantera, but I don't think he goes zorching 
around in the desert like he used to anymore...at least I hopen not!

Mike
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   In a message dated 5/22/15 12 28 26, audionut at hushmail.com writes:

     Thanks Vinh--
     Interesting how he mentions the front end lift at high speed in the
     early car.  The implication there is that nothing was done to remedy
     this. Got me wondering.....anybody ever had a drag boat-style
     wipeout
     in a Pantera? Sure, the front end lifts a bit, but as long as we're
     tracking a straight line we should be okay right? I've only hit 130
     in
     my non-spoiler'd L car and the front end lift didn't scare me too
     bad.
     But now that I've pulled off my mangled L bumper the front end is
     even
     lighter....

   >>>Well, the car won't flip over if that's what you mean.  But
   front-end lift is a real thing, at triple-digit speeds.  It's very easy
   to manage through a combination of slight downward rake, and a front
   spoiler.  While an air dam is obviously effective, even the small GTS
   spoiler is remarkably effective.  I've taken my car to about 140-145
   mph without any noticeable lift.
   Art Stephens, who by his own admission was a bit unhinged, used to love
   driving his Pantera in the desert at high speed.  He had no spoiler,
   and at 160-170 mph the front end became very light.  Rather than being
   appropriately concerned, he found it amusing that the steering had
   virtually no effect.  One sad day, he crossed a blind brow at that
   speed, a gust of wind got under the car and lifted it sideways so the
   right wheels got onto the dirt shoulder.  It then went sideways,
   flipped and rolled and banged forever through the desert, leaving the
   car a crumpled mess.  It's a miracle he survived, but thankfully
   somebody found the wreckage, he got a helicopter ride and walked out of
   the hospital a few days later.
   He subsequently bought another Pantera, but I don't think he goes
   zorching around in the desert like he used to anymore...at least I
   hopen not!
   Mike