It's not really all about speed, if it was, I'd be figuring out how to get a Saleen 7, McLaren or a Porsche 917 to drive. Of course I'd have to sell my house, wife and 4 kids to do so.
(re-thinking....naw, they'd never go for it :-)
I've had 2 Lamborghini's in my lifetime. A Muria SV and a Countach for a very, very short time. The Muria was my favorite and there's not a day that goes by that I wish I didn't sell it. But what did I know 30 years ago.
There is no doubt that many of you have Pantera's out there that are capable of chewing up Lamborghini's. In fact coming back from SEMA this year I pulled up to a light next to a VT in Valencia. When the light turned green, we were off. I pulled on him in 1st and again in second. At the next light all he could say was damm, that's a fast and nice car. Yea, I said, and yours is very beautiful. As with all things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One mans treasure is another mans junk and vice versa.
But it's not all about speed, not with me anyway. Someone, somewhere is always going to be faster. That's just the way it is and I don't have to be fastest, badest or have the most karma points. For me it's the pure driving pleasure I feel inside. Why do you think I actually drive my Pantera so much, 12,000+ miles this year alone. How many others can say that ? My car is no garage queen in the slightest. If it sits, it's only because it broke and being fixed by me and then I'm back to driving it everyday. My Mercedes 400E gets driven maybe 20% of what the Pantera does. It took 4 years for me for even break down and by a second car.....
But......there's just something about a Lamborghini that I have always liked, the style, the sound, the feel of the 12 cylinder and the handling.
I still feel the Pantera is by far the best bang for the buck. I've spent the last 5 years personally rebuilding and turning the wrenches on my car from bumper to bumper, so I believe I know just a little about it. I know my car, what it can, can't do, what it is and what it can never be. I don't think of the Pantera as a lesser car than a Lamborghini or better than a Lamborghini.....Just different.
Dave Adler called me today and we talked for awhile as we usually do. He wanted to know what happen with my radiator. I explained what happened and what I was having done to repair it. Being the true friend and brother that Dave is to me now for almost 10 years, he refused to let me put this radiator back in my car. He said NO, absolutely not, even though I was willing to try it and see what happens. You have too nice a car that is very special and I won't let you do it, not a chance. I am sending you out a new radiator with sucker fans on Monday to replace it. Box up the damaged one in the same box and send it back to me. Done deal, nothing more to talk about on this. Knowing Dave as I do, he would do this for anyone just because that's who Dave is. But it's also the reason we have been close friends for so many years partly because of his honor and integrity. I trust, respect and love Dave because he's been a true & dear friend and I not only value his opinion, but take it very much to heart.
We had a long talk about selling my Pantera and getting a Lamborghini. He wants my Pantera if I decide to sell it. But he also feels It's something I should keep. So do I. We both see my Pantera as something very special that I have a lot of time, work, money, learning and effort in. I haven't paid many people to work on my car, I've done 95% of it myself. Like I said, it's like one of my children now. He also said that he would consider buying the 01 VT if I passed on it, that's if he could talk Linda into it. He then told me about another friend of his that also owns a Pantera that also just added a 96 VT to his garage. Said that it was an incredibly awesome car that he would love to have at least once in life.
This is has not been an easy decision for me by any means. Couldn't sleep again last night because probably Friday, Monday at the latest, I have to make the decision on the 01 VT. As much as I have thought about it, & worked the numbers. There's just no way of putting it together without selling the Pantera because of the cost of the 01 VT. I also know now that selling the Pantera is just not an option. I just can't do it...I won't do it.
So anyway.....after long, hard and much thought, I have decided to see what I can put together on the 96 VT and keep the Pantera. I think I can make that work and keep my Pantera. If I can't have both, then I'll wait until I can, it's just a matter of time.
I love my cars, it's what motivates me, (besides the family) they are the reason I get up everyday and drag my tired ass to work. Always been that way with me and my cars, that's who I am.
The Pantera is going nowhere. Besides, what would life be without you guys busting my ass.......
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Pantera partners, friends and brothers !
We have a lot to be thankful for !