[DeTomaso] A thanks very much to the Pantera community as a whole

[Kirby Schrader]

Yes, it was stressful at times, but in the end, the result was worth it.
Thanks!

> On Sep 1, 2015, at 09:18, Larry - Ohio Time <Larry at ohiotimecorp.com> wrote:
> 
> Great story Kirby, I hope to have one of my own someday.
> 
> You should be very proud.
> 
> Larry - Cleveland
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at poca.com] On Behalf Of Kirby
> Schrader
> Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 9:40 PM
> To: De Tomaso List
> Subject: [DeTomaso] A thanks very much to the Pantera community as a whole
> 
> A story..
> 
> Since Dylan won't tell it, I will. It could be a really long story. all six
> years of it, but here's the condensed version.
> :-)
> 
> Once upon a time, I had a Group 4 body. I planned to create a race car out
> of it at some point once I got back from Brunei.
> A certain individual convinced me to not spend money on doing that, but
> rather, get a Superformance GT40.
> OK, so I did. Took delivery of it in 2007.
> 
> I was ready to sell the Group 4. I had bought it from Keith Verges way back
> in 2002 or so..
> First big favor was that Dave Bell and Fred Hall drove up to Dallas and
> picked up the car and refused any refund at all. All while I was in Brunei.
> 
> The car sat in Tom Upton's old facility for a long time. in fact, I had two
> Pantera bodies there. Then Tom sold the place and I had to move them. Gray
> Gregory kindly allowed me to store both cars at his ranch. Little did I know
> that in the future he would become my son in law! But that's another story.
> 
> One year in Brunei, said they. One year turned into five and eventually I
> got back to the USA in 2007. The stock body was gone. Another big favor
> happened..
> The Space City guys stripped it bare and parts stored while the body was
> swapped to Kirk Evans for some new Pantera goodies.
> 
> Ready to sell the Group 4, my son, Dylan, said 'No, Dad! I want a Pantera
> and I want that one!'
> OK, I'll give you the body, said I, but the rest is yours. I'll help, but I
> need more than enthusiasm. This will take work!
> And lots of $$$$.
> All the parts off the other body are available. Early body parts, later
> body.
> This became a real challenge.
> 
> So, we went to Gray's, picked up the body and trailered it home. While
> loading, Gray commented on what a crappy state the body was in and Dylan
> exclaimed, 'It's a diamond in the rough!' Gray said, 'Yeah, I see the rough
> alright..'.
> 
> So, off we went home. This was in 2008. One the way home, a guy pulled up
> beside us and said, 'Hey, that's a Pantera! Whatcha' gonna' do with it?'
> Dylan replied, 'Fix it up!'
> Good luck, was the reply.. and he drove off.
> 
> The body looked like this when we got it back to my new garage, which wasn't
> even finished yet..
> 
> 
> Keep in mind that the body had been stripped for racing and had a roll cage
> in it. Dylan insisted on keeping the roll cage, but over the years of
> building the car, various parts of the cage kinda' disappeared..
> Try taking a stripped body from race to street. Ain't much fun.
> Even I learned things about a Pantera during the saga.
> 
> Fast forward. Fun Rally in Houston coming. Our goal? Have three Panteras
> there. We made it, but damn. the stress was tremendous. There were times
> that I didn't even want to go to the garage. But in the end, the red race
> car got a new engine with Webers, my silver car was running well enough to
> get there via Mike Trusty and his friend and yep. Dylan managed to drive his
> there, too! It wasn't finished, but it got there under it's own power.
> If you happened to be there on Friday night, all three of our cars were
> present while Taphorn and Tjaarda walked the display.
> 
> In the end, many thanks go out to the Pantera community at large. Donations
> at the Reno Fun Rally got Dylan a new Pantera Performance radiator. People
> found old consoles and sold them to Dylan at a decent price. Other parts
> came. just had to ask and the community responded.
> Space City guys donated half shafts, carburetor, valve covers, etc. etc.
> 
> Good old Dad donated a 377 Cleveland and we rebuilt it. Long story there..
> 
> Suffice it to say, Dylan had his first drive documented here.
> http://www.spacecitypanteras.com/Movies/IMG_0361.m4v
> 
> But the best part, to me, was last Sunday. He put the passenger seat in, put
> the new tags on it and said. I'm going to take it for a spin and get a
> sandwich for us.
> He got back, parked it and got out of the car almost in tears. Oh, no. I
> thought. 
> What's wrong now?
> 
> Dad! Nothing!
> The stress is gone! It's great.
> Dad, I'm almost in tears thinking about it.
> 
> It's fast! It's smooth! The A/C works! The brakes work! People look at me.
> It's a bad ass looking car!
> 
> Yup.
> And son, you can tell people YOU built that car out of nothing.
> Well, Dad helped a little bit...
> 
> Gotta' love it.
> The next generation of Pantera owners is here.
> 
> FWIW,
> Kirby
> 
> 
>