Reply to "Original and Modified (A gentleman's discussion)"

Blaine, thanks for asking, and I’ll attempt a respectful answer as you state.

To be a little more scientific than emotional, here’s my attempt at “degreeing” this. IMO the two extremes and things in between could be listed like this:
1. Bone stock, as original as possible
2. Looking stock but modified for more modern electronics, better brakes, more power, better rubber etc
3. Built to look like a Pantera that is wasn’t from birth, mostly narrow to wide body
4. Custom body modifications, to try to improve on Tjaarda’s design
5. Made to look like another car(!), seen GT40 and R8 clones
6. All out, total custom, like the Corvette in Corvette Summer, “look what I can do”

My view:
1. Great to look at, but hard to live with. I had a 68 Camaro SS that was 99% orig, and the performance from those F70-14s was terrible. To sell it, I had to put modern wheels and tires on, what a difference
2. I’d put my Pantera in that category
3. Not for me. If you want a wide body, buy one. This waters down the rare models
4. Not for me. I’ve yet to see a body modification that I thought improved a Pantera’s look
5. Not for me. If you want a GT40, buy one.
6. Not for me. No further comment

So I like 1-2, not 3-6. I don’t consider myself a purist as some “accuse” me of, but I’m puzzled that 4-6 even exist. 3 is seen in most types of cars, people try to build/rebadge that plain jane into something it’s not. And that we’re even discussing on this forum cutting gutters off, I don’t think that happens in any other brand…

OK Blaine? I tried…