Reply to "General Pantera ownership question"

Here's a link you may find helpful:

http://www.panteraplace.com/page74.htm

Personally, I suggest you first decide which basic body style jazzes you. Then narrow your search from there. The main choices being the 71/1st part of 72 "pre-L" (narrow body, small bumperettes); later 72-74 "L" (still narrow body, but having larger heavier bumpers); GTS (small riveted fender flares, contrasting black paint on front & rear hoods); Group 4 (wide wheel flares, deep chin spoiler, generally with no boxed rockers nor wing); GT-5 (wide wheel flares, deep chin spoiler, generally with boxed rockers & rear wing); GT-5S (similar to GT-5 but one-piece steel fender flares with smoother transitions from flare to fender). A number of earlier pre-L & L Panteras have been converted to the flared styles. The genuine articles of the GTS, Group 4, GT-5, & GT-5S command a price premium over conversions so long as in good condition.

Regarding color, spend some time. I personally think some colors look best on narrow-body Panteras and other colors look best on widebody cars. And some color you initially like may be a nontraditional Pantera color for that style that you may come to regret, so get involved with some other owners if possible.

The major dash change was from the 2-pod (separate humps for Speedo & Tach) in the pre-Ls generally, to the single-pod dash roughly thereafter. The genuine GT-5 and GT-5S cars had squared-off inner fenders in the rear. Earlier cars had the more typical rounded inner fenders in the engine bay you'll see.

In general the splash shields got somewhat better going from 71 to 74 & later, while the engine compressions went down & emissions systems went up, but relatively few Panteras at this point have unmodified drivetrains so at that point just compare and pick based on condition, upgrades, taste, etc.

FWIW,

Lee