Mikael,
All good points. I will try to respond to your 3-6.
3. I would imagine that the majority of widebody converted cars were done so not because the owners wanted the status of having a group 4 or 5 car but because they liked the appearance. The problem with buying an original widebody car which would be the only solution to your requirement of not changing a narrowbody car is that the once previously affordable car is no longer so. Considerably more people can afford to buy a narrow car and put flares on it. Its not exactly reasonable to expect someone without the means to buy a factory original widebody to not make one on their own for considerably less monetary input. I flared my car because I loved the look and needed as much tire as I could stuff under it.
4. This my friend is extremely subjective. For every person who likes the original Tjaarda design there are at least an equal amount who would like to change the basic design to suit their taste. I completely agree that Tjaarda designed a beautiful car. I feel that the majority of the beauty stem from the basic lines and flow of the bodywork. I feel that general appearance can be changed considerably and still maintain the Pantera look that people love. What I am after is when I take my car out for a drive is that I dont want people to realize it was a car designed in the 70's. Another thing to consider is that some are making exterior modifications to improve performance. I will be tracking my car lots. The build I am in the process of at the moment is completely based around downforce. There will be things that definitely will not be period correct. I will however do my best to stay true to the original lines of the car.
5. Some clarification is needed here. I have still never seen the R8 clone you are referring to but I think I know the GT car. For the GT car I feel the point of the exercise was not making a Ford GT replica. The owner likely appreciated the design of the GT front and rear and felt it would suit a Pantera. I personally think the front looks nice and would benefit frontal aerodynamics. The rear however does not appeal to me. That being said, Im sure there are a ton of people out there that think it looks great. Appearance-wise it was a quality integration and care was obviously taken to make it appear clean.
6. Fair enough. I see no benefit in it either. Not my cup of tea. There are large groups that love that stuff though so obviously some percentage of the population find it appealing.
People will modify anything. No brand is immune. While you may not read about drip rail removal on ferrari forums I guarantee someone has done it. I all boils down to people wanting something special. Many are not content with the status quo. If people see a fox body mustang drag car they say "Oh look another fox body drag car." If people see blown Ferrari drag car they say "HOLY SHIT! Did you see that??"
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