[DeTomaso] Executive cars/original owners

[Mike Drew]

Jim,

You’re nuts if you think that terrific story wouldn’t be interesting to EVERYONE!  Thanks for sharing!

Mike

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 28, 2018, at 13:38, Matt <nwpantera at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>   After my request for stories of original owners, Jim sent me his. He
>   gave permission to share so I am. Stories like this let my mind wander
>   back in time.
>   Thank you Jim!
>   Matt,
>   I bought my 1974 L Yellow Pantera (6949) new in 1974.
>   My father was an engineer at Ford Motor Co. for 45 years. He worked at
>   EEE (Ford engineering center in Dearborn MI at the time).
>   I would periodically hang out there and at the attached design center.
>   After I separated from the Air force in 1969 during one of my 'day
>   trips' to FOMOCO I happened to see some sketches of what turned out to
>   be the Pantera.
>   I asked about the sketches ans was told Ford was knocking around the
>   idea of producing such a car.
>   Not a lot of details available.
>   Later (I think in late 1969 or early 1970) I heard from an acquaintance
>   Ford would be marketing the Pantera.
>   I immediately focused my savings routine to target the Pantera. I had a
>   choice - house or car? I really did not want to own a house but I did
>   want that car. My calculations showed I could save enough money to buy
>   one in 1975.
>   Then Ford announced not importing after 1974. So I was close but would
>   have to get a loan.
>   I went to the local LM dealership.
>   I asked to meet the Sales Manager. I asked him to point out the
>   Salesman with the worst month (it was towards the end of the month).
>   I went to that salesman and told him I wanted to order the Pantera in
>   Yellow with the only option - a radio.
>   He actually tried to talk me into another vehicle. See in those days
>   most LM dealerships were using the presence of the Pantera to bring in
>   prospective customers then switch them to models with a higher profit
>   for the dealership. Apparently the dealers did not make a lot on the
>   Panteras
>   I informed him that was the only car I was interested in; I was giving
>   him a gift and I would go to another salesman. I suggested that he was
>   tanking that month it would be in his best interest to take this
>   slam-dunk sale.
>   Then the wait began. 3 months went by with no progress.
>   Finally out of exasperation I went to my High School friend's father
>   who was an Exec VP at Ford and mentioned the situation. He explained he
>   did not have a lot of authority at LM (separate division and all) but
>   he would look into it.
>   In the meantime, a Nursing school student who I knew at the hospital
>   where I was working said her father was executive in charge of all
>   North America LM Dealerships and she arranged for me to meet with him.
>   After he heard my story, he was pretty angry. He said more than likely
>   the Pantera I ordered was grabbed byA  another dealership because by
>   that time the dealerships in the South and West could get even more
>   money for a new Pantera but new orders were being curtailed. He
>   indicated my delarship was not being aggressive about getting my order.
>   He asked me to wait a week, return to the dealership, ask to meet with
>   the owner and use his name to make sure the owner would meet with me.
>   I passed that information on to my High School friend's father and he
>   said to feel free to use his name as well when I meet with the owner if
>   necessary.
>   Well I met with the owner (indeed I needed to name drop before he would
>   meet with me).
>   The owner gave me all kind of excuses and essentially they were doing
>   everything they could and that is just the way life is.
>   I then explained I would be reporting that back to the 2 executives. He
>   ho-hummed.
>   I did report back to the 2 executives who both responded with surprise.
>   I later found out they had conversed with each other about the
>   situation.
>   THE NEXT DAY I received a call from the owner indicating I should call
>   on him at my convenience.
>   Totally different story then (I seem to recall he was actually
>   sweating). I had my Pantera within a month.
>   A few years later the dealership name changed. I spoke with my new
>   friend - head of LM dealerships - and he told me they had been watching
>   that dealership for a while but indeed my experience convinced them to
>   begin an audit which resulted with LM taking the dealership back from
>   the owner.
>   Anyway I drove the Pantera to California that late Fall and back.
>   Excellent road trip.
>   Every Summer then between 1975 and 1985 I drove it every nice day to
>   work, softball (I played a lot of softball), and family functions (I
>   have a large family) putting about 35,000 miles on.
>   Then in 1985 life happened and I needed to garage it. It sat in the
>   garage until 2015. It was going to be my retirement project to get it
>   back on the road. Then I realized I probably would never retire. So I
>   sent it off to PI Motorsports and in May of 2017 it was shipped back to
>   me in MI restored.
>   The restoration was a down to bare metal restoration. The engine and ZF
>   were rebuilt (engine was beefed a little). The cooling system was
>   upgraded even though I never had the dreaded overheating issue as was
>   the ignition system, the brakes were upgraded, the exhaust system was
>   upgraded and I got an up-to-date radio. New Gas tank and upgraded
>   wheels/ tires (I retained the original wheels and the Pirellis which
>   were on the car).
>   The interior is original with the exception of the steering wheel and
>   the driver's seat which was rebuilt. The glass is original.
>   My target was to return the car to its original state but upgrade some
>   critical system.
>   I have all of the paperwork I received from the dealership.
>   Well that is my rather long story.
>   I did not share this with the group but if you think this is
>   sufficiently interesting feel free to share.
>   Best,
>   Jim Kosloskey 6949
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