quote:Originally posted by Pantera 4134:
To each their own I guess, but these body mods along with non Ford motors are just wrong. And best left to kit cars.
If anyone wonders why Pantera values have never been close to what they should be, you only have to look at Garth's pictures.Sadly our cars are often not taken seriously by collectors and enthusiasts because of these examples. This will continue to diminish overall Pantera values. The exceptions being stock or easily returned to stock.
That said I did not buy my Panteras as investments. And I enjoy the modifications I made that have improved performance and reliability.
quote:Originally posted by 1Rocketship:
Nothing could be further from the truth as your statement.
Every altered Pantera only INCREASES the value of stock Panteras, as a "True" enthusiast/collector is NOT swayed by, nor is their appreciation diminished by the modifications of other Panteras.
To me, every grossly altered Pantera disrespectfully diminishes the marque. Fine for some, has been a long-standing practice in the Pantera community. Seen more as the rule than the exception. The sheer volume of Garth66's well-detailed posts/photos is how many perceive the Pantera. The 'Anything goes' mentality has had a long-term negative impact on value. My opinion.
quote:Originally posted by Pantera 4134:
And how much are the bastardized "E" types with GM engines bringing compared to original motors ? How many "F" cars or Lambos have hideous body changes. If they did their market value would be far less with almost no demand.
And yes Mars for every sickly modified Pantera it helps escalate the value of stock/near stock Panteras. But Panteras as a whole should be worth far greater amounts.
My point is that Panteras that were produced in small numbers, with arguably(biased) unmatched styling and performance are still highly under valued. With investors (Not enthusiasts) driving values of most any collectible car to pre recession dollars and beyond Panteras should all be six figure cars.
Agree completely with 4134. It's not the individual, thoughtful upgrades from passionate owners that stifles value, it's the overdone cars that have made the Pantera market guilty by association.
Mikael's original post respects the original design function of the car, to sensitively preserve the intent without resorting to modifications. I 'modded' my Ferrari 512TR (blasphemy!) by adding better (gold) connections throughout the electrical system and discretely cooling the fuse box area. Both worked to keep the wiring from melting, both virtually invisible. The car brought full retail when sold, with full disclosure of changes.
Sure, it's admittedly a fine line, but when mods get out of hand, the market and value decreases. In my estimation, 'value' is not only in dollars, but also a scorekeeper of market respect.
Most of you (not me!) could 'upgrade' or improve the function of any old car, using tons of now-available fixes, yet the value - a fluid thing and I'm speaking generally here - would mostly decrease in the market. A modded vintage Ferrari, Maserati, Jag, Porsche, Corvette gets scrutinized to the nth degree leaving it's 'value' to be determined individually, and at great difficulty. Thus, most pass, paying more for the more stock examples.
I greatly respect the Pantera for what it was at the time, hastily conceived or no, lacking 'perfection' of course. Had Mikael's assertions today been the norm of yesterday, I feel the Pantera preservationists (me among them) would see greater overall respect and thus values for the cars.
Yet a healthy debate is a good debate.
I long for the day that Panteras step out of the shadow of a 'Poor man's Ferrari' and into the light as a 'Practical man's GT-40'.