[DeTomaso] Converting Pantera L Bumpers

[Larry - Ohio Time]

<< decided to go with bonding the metal>>

Mike, 

Most new cars are assembled with bonding (glues) on there body panels. I
like the process.

Living in the some what Great White Salty North, I fight rust all the time.
Placing two sheet metal panels together and zapping it with a spot welder is
just opening the door for rust to form.

If you think your good looking welds are water tight, just try welding on an
air tank, like I just did, to see how poorly your good looking welds can be.
EEEKKKKK!!!!

Larry (glue me baby) - Cleveland



-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
Of Mike Reilly
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2016 11:34 AM
To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] Converting Pantera L Bumpers

This topic has been covered extensively on this mail list and the PI Forum
as well.  PanteraPlace.com also has good info in a tech article.  Anyway,
after 25 years of owning my mostly stock 74 L I have decided to remove the L
bumpers and fill in the holes from their mounting points both front and
rear.  I found a good body shop to match my original factory red paint using
a single stage application.  I did all the disassembly so all they have to
do is fill in the holes and paint.  It's still in the shop and in
discussions with the shop owner we decided to go with bonding the metal
patches (where the old bumper shocks went through the body) rather than
welding them in.  He uses this approach with many high end cars in his shop
and from what I've read on the PI Forum some folks have found the modern
bonding materials end up being stronger than the surrounding metal.  He felt
welding may warp and damage some of the surrounding metal.  I was good with
this approach as this is purely a cosmetic patch and not structural.

As far as bumpers to replace the L bumpers I went with the versions that Bob
Byers sells which are the smaller "euro" blades front and rear.  I had to do
some filing for the fronts to fit flush against the body and the backs fit
just fine as they came from Bob.  I'm happy with their quality (all steel).
I really like the look of the car in this configuration : ).   I get it back
from the shop on 13 July and then I'll reassemble everything.  Yes, I kept
every part that came off the car incase some crazy investor type ends up
with my car (only if I die!) and wants to put the federalized bumpers back
on the car.  I think it does look fine with the L bumper but simply wanted a
new look and decided to go with what I see many of the European folks doing
with the L cars they buy and bring back to Europe.    

I'll post some pics here and on the PI Forum (and the POCA forum) once it's
done.  I guess I'll also update my pics on the PROVAMO registry.    

If you're thinking of doing this with your L I'm happy to discuss it further
: )

Mike

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