[DeTomaso] Re-starting my Pantera Restoration - Again!

[Charles Copeland]

Hey DeTomaso Listers!

 

First of all, Happy New Year!

 

Second, I’m thinking that 2018 should be the year to – once again – get
serious about restoring our ’72 Pantera that I started restoring about 20
years ago or so.

 

Here’s where I really need some help.  The thing that always brings the
project to a halt is the fact that, due to accident damage under previous
ownership, the unibody seems to have about ¼ inch larger gap in the
passenger-side door opening and upper passenger side window cavity compared
to the driver’s side.

 

Several body/frame shops, as well as at least one of our highly esteemed
Pantera Parts Vendors, have told me that it’s not worth fixing, can’t be
fixed, move on and get another car!  

 

I’m finding it difficult to believe that this problem can’t be fixed but I
don’t know how and don’t have the requisite skills.  But, from stripping off
the paint and bondo, it appears that the roof was brazed on at the bottom of
the front roof pillars and at the top of the rear quarters.  So, I’m
thinking perhaps the alignment of the roof/pillars was just rushed by the
body shop/backyard mechanic that repaired the car post-accident.

 

Can you all weigh-in on whether or not this lopsided unibody can be
re-aligned so that the passenger-side door fits correctly and there is no
gap in the upper passenger-side windshield?  Or should I simply put it back
together crooked like it was before?  After all it drove great!  I guess the
car didn’t know it was crooked!

 

Oh, I should mention, the frame/suspension aligns perfectly – no issues
there. Just poorly fitting passenger door and windshield.

 

Thanks,

Charles Copeland

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
   Hey DeTomaso Listers!


   First of all, Happy New Year!


   Second, I'm thinking that 2018 should be the year to - once again - get
   serious about restoring our '72 Pantera that I started restoring about
   20 years ago or so.


   Here's where I really need some help.  The thing that always brings the
   project to a halt is the fact that, due to accident damage under
   previous ownership, the unibody seems to have about 1/4 inch larger gap
   in the passenger-side door opening and upper passenger side window
   cavity compared to the driver's side.


   Several body/frame shops, as well as at least one of our highly
   esteemed Pantera Parts Vendors, have told me that it's not worth
   fixing, can't be fixed, move on and get another car!


   I'm finding it difficult to believe that this problem can't be fixed
   but I don't know how and don't have the requisite skills.  But, from
   stripping off the paint and bondo, it appears that the roof was brazed
   on at the bottom of the front roof pillars and at the top of the rear
   quarters.  So, I'm thinking perhaps the alignment of the roof/pillars
   was just rushed by the body shop/backyard mechanic that repaired the
   car post-accident.


   Can you all weigh-in on whether or not this lopsided unibody can be
   re-aligned so that the passenger-side door fits correctly and there is
   no gap in the upper passenger-side windshield?  Or should I simply put
   it back together crooked like it was before?  After all it drove
   great!  I guess the car didn't know it was crooked!


   Oh, I should mention, the frame/suspension aligns perfectly - no issues
   there. Just poorly fitting passenger door and windshield.


   Thanks,

   Charles Copeland