quote:Originally posted by Simon:
How about early Pantera's converted to later style GT5-GT5-S , Gr.4 ?
Simon
That's more my speed, if the build is done right. But these things can be tricky, where I have seen crooked or other oddball fender application...eek! For instance on the GT5S model, I love the style of that car; however two things for me: (1) the stock 351 is a bit wimpy in today's standards of performance, and (2) in CA if you upgrade your engine in any manner you better have some way of getting around the strict smog checks to register the car in respect to both visual inspection and tailpipe emission (these days that ain't so easy like in the past). The GT5S has such an exotic look, that just looking at it in my opinion almost demands at least 600HP. Same happened to me when I was considering an Aston Martin Vantage; beautiful car, but when I drove it all I thought about was "where's the beef?". Performance didn't match the exotic appearance; so I bought a couple V12 Mercedes instead. Maybe not as exotic looking, but about double the HP & torque.
So for me I like the performance to match the appearance, and of course visually I am a bling bling engine bay guy anyway, far from stock. But still, I respect an untouched original GT5S time capsule.
These very same discussions go on in other forums too, like the Mercedes forums & doing mods such as ECU performance, wheel upgrades, fender flares etc. Stock is nice, but appearance & performance upgrades go to another level. I know this isn't an MBZ forum, but for instance below is my red MBZ from stock to bigger wheels & lowering kit, and maybe eventually to wide body as shown on the black and green car (ha ha I think I need green, as it looks pretty stock, no?):
19 Inch AMG wheels before changing to 20"/21" ADV05 DC by JanDaMan, on Flickr
ADV05 Wheels by TAG by JanDaMan, on Flickr
Prior Design by JanDaMan, on Flickr
Prior Design by JanDaMan, on Flickr