Hello everyone, I'm quite new here but have received a warm welcome for my intro thread over in the engine subforum:
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...0045562/m/9771047795
I'm going to start searching for a project car, however I wonder if it might not be better to cut the topsides off an existing car with a rotted chassis, and graft them onto a contemporary chassis such as those made by either Factory Five or Racecar Replicas?
I understand the wheelbase of the Pantera is 99" with front & rear tracks of 57 & 58 inches, and a width of 70 inches and a length of 158 inches?
That's not too far off from the GT40 replicas which have wheelbases of 95 to 96 inches, front & rear tracks of 57 & 58 like the Pantera, a width of 70 inches (like the Pantera), and OAL of 165 inches.
So perhaps a slightly stretched GT40 chassis could work? Obviously the body attachment points, interior, fuel tanks, cooling, etc. would be slightly different.
I also understand at least one full tube chassis Pantera was built in the past, so I'm guessing something like this is "possible". Perhaps not very economical or practical, but apparently it has been accomplished? I've searched this forum and found some tantalizing tidbits of information, but either I'm not using quite the right search terms, or there's not a lot of detail about these chassis swaps.
I'm not too concerned about trying to replicate the original interior, however I'd really like to keep the exterior dimensions, shape & proportions close. To me, the Pantera has one of those timeless classic shapes, which is very difficult to improve upon, but VERY easy to damage or destroy if the proportions weren't just right.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts & advise.
John
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