NGC, be aware that Pantera are all steel unibodies, built from non-rustproofed panels. If you've ever played around with old British or Italian cars from the '60s, you'll feel right at home! The wiring is mostly Lucas, with all that fact means. I suggest you VERY carefully examine any possible project cars for rust, maybe use a Bondo-meter as there are some excellent plastic sculptures around.... One missing an engine is not much or a problem except for the special bracket that mounts the A/C & alternator & special crank and waterpump pullies. One missing the transaxle, or a noisy, notchy-shifting ZF can be a $6000-$11,000 problem.
On the good side, 'matching numbers' mean nothing to the DeTomaso community. Don't be put off by a modified example- the Pantera is the modern analogue to a '32 Ford roadster or a mid '60s Jaguar. 'Stock' is often worth less than a tastefully modified one, and a completely stock example is less satisfying to drive hard over any distance. So it usually works out best that one should buy the best running example they can find. The same amount of cash will leave your pocket but over a different span of time than a basket case, and you'll gain a car you can drive during the years you'll spend making it like you want it.
This forum and the POCA forum are excellent info- sources as long as your BS-filter is working, and there are a host of manuals, DVDs, and pubs of all kinds available for your background research. Don't be in a hurry unless you are a recent lottery winner. The community will help you find and evaluate a suitable car- just ask us and someone will know the vehicle or will go with you to check it out; there are members in all states and most foeign countries. Stay far away from E-Bay or Craig's List cars unless you are highly experienced with using them. Frauds are everywhere but since there are only maybe 4500 running examples of Panteras left world-wide, and we keep close track of the cars (and crooks), they are usually failures at their little-kid scams.
