[DeTomaso] The “REAL” Pantera Club

[Jeff Udelson]

  In my combined 25years plus owning 2 Panteras I have never been a member of POCA or PI. I have occasionallyposted on the e-mail list and slightly more often on the PI forum. I have been a member of what I feel is a very unique, outstandinggroup of individuals which I consider a true representation of the “REAL”Pantera Club. This club has no BOD, no by-laws, no membership dues etc.    It started with my first contact with Gary Hall in the 70s.He patiently helped me with Pantera #4060. And even had me join his wonderfulfamily for dinner when I visited LA. When I purchased #4134 in 94 I wasfortunate enough to find local help in the form of “The Pantera Place”‘s MikeDaily and Dick Koch. Hands on help for me the mechanically challenged alongwith countless phone calls. Through the years I have been blessed to have hadJack Deryke patiently respond to my countless e-mail questions I was too embarrassedto ask on the list or forum. And Bill Taylor, just friggin WoW!  Years ago he fabricated for me the tools and aspecial jig to remove my a-arm bushings. Jon Hass (Pantera Electronics) the quiet engineer who designs the hellout of Pantera specific components. He has even helped me with Panteraelectrical issues not related to his products. Going as far as to help me withJeep electrical problems. I have had owners send me parts that they could have easilysold, given for free. Not even willing to take reimbursement for shipping. Iprobably will never meet these wonderful people in person but consider themfriends. Without their invaluable assistance I probably would have sold my caryears ago.These individuals and countless other Pantera owners arewhat has made Pantera ownership for me a pleasure. I may be wrong here but Iwould be hard pressed to think there are other car clubs with this many kind,generous and supportive individuals. The reason I felt inclined to write this e-mail is notreally for current owners. All of you I know have similar experiences to mine.It is for the new or more importantly perspective Pantera owners. This e-mailis for them, those lurking just wanting to see what kind of support networkexists in the Pantera world. From the e-mail postings since the last POCAelections you would think as a perspective new owner that this is the most dysfunctionalgroup of people ever. And “why oh why would I want to be a part of this”? So this e-mailpost is my contribution to the e-mail archives. Telling Pantera owners fordecades, new owners and, perspective owners that the "REAL" Pantera club is notPOCA and not PI. But hundreds of Pantera owners who make up one hell of an unofficialclub. People who will help you in countless ways asking nothing in return.Thank you Pantera friends. Jeff Udelson#4134 Atlanta GA USA
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    In my combined 25 years plus owning 2 Panteras I have never been a
   member of POCA or PI. I have occasionally posted on the e-mail list and
   slightly more often on the PI forum.
   I have been a member of what I feel is a very unique, outstanding group
   of individuals which I consider a true representation of the aREALa
   Pantera Club. This club has no BOD, no by-laws, no membership dues etc.

   It started with my first contact with Gary Hall in the 70s. He
   patiently helped me with Pantera #4060. And even had me join his
   wonderful family for dinner when I visited LA. When I purchased #4134
   in 94 I was fortunate enough to find local help in the form of aThe
   Pantera Placeaas Mike Daily and Dick Koch. Hands on help for me the
   mechanically challenged along with countless phone calls. Through the
   years I have been blessed to have had Jack Deryke patiently respond to
   my countless e-mail questions I was too embarrassed to ask on the list
   or forum. And Bill Taylor, just friggin WoW!  Years ago he fabricated
   for me the tools and a special jig to remove my a-arm bushings.  Jon
   Hass (Pantera Electronics) the quiet engineer who designs the hell out
   of Pantera specific components. He has even helped me with Pantera
   electrical issues not related to his products. Going as far as to help
   me with Jeep electrical problems. I have had owners send me parts that
   they could have easily sold, given for free. Not even willing to take
   reimbursement for shipping. I probably will never meet these wonderful
   people in person but consider them friends. Without their invaluable
   assistance I probably would have sold my car years ago.
   These individuals and countless other Pantera owners are what has made
   Pantera ownership for me a pleasure. I may be wrong here but I would be
   hard pressed to think there are other car clubs with this many kind,
   generous and supportive individuals.
   The reason I felt inclined to write this e-mail is not really for
   current owners. All of you I know have similar experiences to mine. It
   is for the new or more importantly perspective Pantera owners. This
   e-mail is for them, those lurking just wanting to see what kind of
   support network exists in the Pantera world. From the e-mail postings
   since the last POCA elections you would think as a perspective new
   owner that this is the most dysfunctional group of people ever. And
   awhy oh why would I want to be a part of thisa? So this e-mail post is
   my contribution to the e-mail archives. Telling Pantera owners for
   decades, new owners and, perspective owners that the "REAL" Pantera
   club is not POCA and not PI. But hundreds of Pantera owners who make up
   one hell of an unofficial club. People who will help you in countless
   ways asking nothing in return.
   Thank you Pantera friends.

   Jeff Udelson
   #4134
   Atlanta GA USA