Hi all - have been lurking - ready to pull trigger - could you experts please help me critique this car (within the limitation that these are just photos and obviously there could be more with an in person inspection - which I will do if i go forward) - the pictures may be found at: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/edlebby/album?.dir=/2862r...actn,del%3as,1%3af,0
These are my observations/questions:
-- It is a pre-L car, although it appears that the small chrome part-bumpers have been painted to match the body color (is that factory or someone did that later?) - the car is listed as a "1972 Pantera" - no other model number is given - was there only one model for 1972 - would features in the pix confirm this is indeed a 1972?
-- the car looks like it has definitely been driven given the carbon deposits and grime in and around the exhaust
-- the wheels appear to be original the tires do not - are these the original wheels for a 1972 - or are they from an earlier/later model?
-- the upper-body looks to be in pretty good shape - there does not appear to be cowl rust - i cannot see any other obvious bubbling low in fenders or doors (but no close ups) - clearly lots of rust elsewhere, we'll come on to that - what do you think, my eye is not that expert - danger signs? waves? bubbles?
-- is the body correct for 72 - correct fender flares, etc.? or has it been modified?
-- can you tell if the glass is original (by the way - how much does originality/numbers matching matter with these cars - from what i have seen...not much...true?)
-- grill and hood vents correct for a 72?
-- square side view mirrors correct for a 72?
-- assume that is a radio antenna coming up through the right fender - correct and right for the car?
-- paint seems to be pretty good - is this an original color for 72?
-- interior looks pretty used - but not abused - thoughts? I do see the rip in the driver side seat - after market OEM style covers available? what about the mouse fur on top of the rockers - correct?
-- have seen pictures where a lot of the buttons are behind the shifter on the console (does that come later) is the guage cluster, buttons, console, etc. all correct for 72
-- obviously and aftermarket radio - big deal to find an original? repopped?
-- could not see any cracks in the dash and guage area - actually looks pretty clean - agree?
-- shoulder belts seem to be missing (or are these not an option on a 72)?
-- in one picture looking through the drivers door there appears to be an aluminum bar around where an emergency brake release handle would be on a foot brake - any thoughts?
-- are the speakers on either side of the console in the foot wells stock? i am guessing not - i note the broken kick panels on the inside of the foot well (passenger side) both where the speaker is and on the outside where there appears to be a fuse box - how big a deal - replacement parts available?
-- notice some brown spots on both seats right where the lap belt tensioners are - what is this? holes that are showing the stuffing? rusting of a metal part there?
-- is the steering wheel stock? if not, how a big a deal to find an oem style one?
-- what is the white button/switch below the speedo in the dash - something after market?
-- weather stripping around doors appears ok - but i note the surface rust around the fasteners - problem?
-- passenger side weather strippin above door latch seems to be birthing some crud - thoughts?
-- carpeting looks ok - agree?
-- inner door panel and trim behind seats looks ok - agree?
-- rear view mirror correct?
-- clearly there has been some after market work on the wiring - see a good chunk of wires hanging in the passenger foot-well area - some of that must be the radio - maybe some after market ignition stuff?
-- headliner fabric look ok - clearly some sags and some areas coming off the roof - material still available? supporting rods up there?
-- courtesy lamp looks ok - no rust on base (that is visible) - plastic not cracked - - agree?
-- the sun visors look a bit overstuffed - stock?
-- windshield and rear window gaskets seem ok from what little you can see - - agree?
-- hood compartment - looks terrible - the radiator has a great deal of surface rust - acid leaking from battery - appears to be rust under master cylinder (is that plastic MC correct??) - will need to confirm if the spare has the correct wheel - cowl area look clean - the wiring going to the right of the radiator looks fairly new and kempt - some of the hood liner (carpet?) seems to be frayed and separating from the floor of the hood space - thoughts on all of this? - does this seem complete? parts correct? modifications?
-- trunk liner looks clean (almost new) - probably a replacement (are these avialable)?
-- does the engine look correct? cleaner? valve covers?
-- i note what appears to be bubbling and rust on the heads - thoughts?
-- wiring looks somewhat neat - no birds nests
-- appears to be an ac line (the one that is insulated - looks like newer insulation, will have to see if ac works
-- the surface of the engine compartment almost looks as if it has been coated with what people use as undercoating - is that correct? alternatively, it may be fiberlass repair of earlier rust - hard to say - but the surfaces look bumpy and overlapped - thoughts?
-- struts for trunk lid - correct?
-- radiator (if that is correct - the yellow one) - correct?
-- screen over the air cleaner looks as if has a cut out on the edge or is melted - is this right?
-- exhaust manifold showing a good bit of surface rust - how worrisome?
-- engine block also showing spots or rust...?
-- transmission looks ok - the back piece looks newer than the rest - i know this is critical piece and an expensive one if it fails - what do i need to look for and check out?
-- model tag is pretty blurred - I read "31_" then, inside the square "01613" - on next line, i can only make out a section in the middle that seems to read "WECC_ _"
-- tail lights seem ok and functional
-- filter at bottom of trunk seems clogged, but in good shape
-- do not see any rust on the lower edges of the rear quarters (trunk side) - but do see surface rust here and there all over the underside - thoughts on how bad this looks?
-- exhaust and muffles show surface rust, but don't appear rotten
-- seems to be a leak in what I would call the rear differential - don't know how bad - how much trouble could this spell - just a seal?
-- doesn't seem to be any leaking at rear seal, flywheel, clutch area - agree?
-- suspension correct? or modified?
-- appears to be some rust in the rockers (right one anyway) hard to say if this is surface or something more evil - i would guess the latter - if so, aftermarket or NOS panels available)?
-- seems to be a bit of a leak at the front of the oil pan
-- the floor pan seems weird - it is scaly almost - maybe it has been patched with fiberglass - or just laminated over - are replacement pans out there? costly?
-- the only obviouis area of rot seems to be where the radiator meets the frame/subframe - how bad does this look to all of you?
-- seems to be a leak inside of the left tire - would guess this is brake fluid - agree?
Thanks for your patience in reading through this - i think the car can be had for the mid-20's does that seem right? I am very interested in all of your views and as many answers to the questions as you are willing to give -- and, most importantly, what do i need to do to vet this car and see what of this fatal - and what a fair price would be - thank you!!!!!
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