We feel we have brought enough evidences that 8263 is the genuine De Tomaso Pantera Group 4 chassis 2263, the very first group 4 built by the factory. We hope that now, anyone can make his own opinion on our car.
Again, we have never denied that 2263 had been used to build a GT5 demonstrator and that a new chassis number 8263 had been stamped by the factory in 1979. That chassis number 8263 is still on the car today because it is part of its history. But it does not erase its previous history as 2263 with Herbert Muller. Our car is made of the original chassis of 2263, and for that simple reason it is 2263.
The following notion is rather largely accepted today : the identity of a car is defined by its original chassis on which is attached a chassis number. If the original chassis has not been destroyed, the chassis number is attached to the chassis, and there is no reason to split them. If the chassis is destroyed at some point, the chassis number can be transferred to a new chassis under certain conditions.
In the case of 2263, the original chassis still remains today so that the original identity is still attached to it. Of course, the factory has stamped that chassis with another number for some reasons, but it does not in any case erase the identity and the history attached to the original chassis.
The closest example is Pantera Group 4 chassis 2824. It was delivered new with a plate stamped with chassis number 2342 by the factory. Problem, there was another Group 4 chassis 2342 delivered by the factory. It is only in 1996 that the real identity of 2824 had been discovered by its then owner, under the stamped plate. The car is today recognized as 2824, its original identity, despite the factory sold it officially with number 2342 in 1972. Why would it be otherwise ? Saying that 2824 should be 2342 for ever, and that its original identity 2824 is dead, is a nonsense.
We would like to conclude that we are genuine enthusiasts, and have always been in love with the wide body Pantera Group 4. We found this car, rediscovered the history with the previous owner, restored it back to its original 1972 specs for 18 months, so as to be able to be back on the track where it has always belonged. This was a dream come true to be able to race it at Le Mans Classic the same place where Herbert Muller broke the lap record and top speed for a GT car 46 years ago.
Attachments
Images (1)
