[DeTomaso] Wanted: Used Pantera Grill

[Joseph F. Byrd, Jr.]

Related Question from newbie...

Is it possible to make a grill with the proper size wire mesh? 

Joe/5177/NC

-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at poca.com] On Behalf Of Mike Drew via
DeTomaso
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2016 18:04 PM
To: fred at creekspeak.com; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Wanted: Used Pantera Grill


In a message dated 1/25/16 13 27 51, fred at creekspeak.com writes:


> Need a solid original complete grill for my 1972 pre-L Pantera, serial 
> #30XX. My original one had the stainless trim around the border. What 
> is the difference between the ones offered "with studs" and "without 
> studs"?
> 

>>>Hi Fred,

Sadly, I had a grille for sale years ago but have long since sold it.

The early cars secured the grill with studs through holes in the body, and 
tiny nuts (8mm? 6mm) on the back side.   When De Tomaso switched to the 
one-piece bumper, they simplified construction and the new grille was
secured to 
the body from the outside using sheetmetal screws.   Both grilles are 
interchangeable, but the one-piece bumper hides the unsightly screws better.

The early grilles are susceptible to the attachment nuts rusting to the
studs, so when you try to remove them without first liberally soaking them
in Liquid Wrench or similar, the studs snap off.

Do you not have any grille at all at the moment?   Grilles are rare and 
expensive, and almost no existing grille is beyond reasonable salvation
unless it was destroyed in a wreck.

Tell us what you have, and if you have nothing, then hopefully somebody can
help you find what you need!

Good luck!

Mike