Reply to "Pantera #7206 - GTS"

Guys,

You are a funny group. You all tell me to stick to my guns and get the car I really want. Good advice, I thought. Well, a GT5-S is the car I really want. You guys convince me not to let the naysayers get me down. You tell me the GT5-S is a great car; drives great, easy to work on, parts readily available, etc. You all inspired me. So I decided to take the plunge and go after a GT5-S.

So now that you all convinced me to go after a GT5-S, I decided to do so with gusto backed by your guys encouragement. But when I actually ask Michael if he would consider selling his car, you guys tell Michael not to sell the car. You are encouraging me and blocking me all at once. I've read many old posts on this board. It seems to be a recurring theme that anytime anyone contemplates selling their Pantera the whole board lights up and tells the guy not to sell.

You guys realize that guys like me will never be able to buy a Pantera if none of you guys will ever sell.

I get it though. You hate to see one of your buddies sell his Pantera, especially since I live on the West Coast and apparently most of you guys live on the east coast, and you won't have much opportunity to see the car anymore. Keep in mind that Michael says the car is parked basically 362 days per year. So the car isn't getting much exposure anyway.

Owning a Pantera is almost like belonging to a Fraternity club. And you guys hate to see one of your frat members drop out. Really, I get it.

If I buy Michael's car, I would be driving the car two or three times per week. I would be advertising the marquee and increasing awareness of the Detomaso brand. The car wouldn't disappear. It would just be transferred to someone who has more time to enjoy it.

If Michael had a regular GT5-S without the targa top, I am sure we could work out a deal because the GT5-S seem to fall into a typical price range from what I've seen...between 65k-75k based on several ads of these cars that I have seen on the internet that have sold in the recent past, and Joules has also corroborated that in one of his recent posts.

But the Targa throws a wrench into the equation. How much more is a GT5-S worth with a targa top? There may be almost no precedent because there have been so few produced. Well actually, we do have some precedent based on what Michael paid for the car. (Which I have no idea how much that was)

It's still somewhat of a long shot for me to buy Michael's car anyway. I'd have to hear more about the cars history, upgrades, etc. I brought it up for discussion because I am a serious buyer here looking for a high quality well sorted out Pantera GT5s, and I am honest. And if he genuinely is ready to sell his car I may be a painless option compared to other sellers who have to wade through dozens of looky loos calling and knocking on the door who aren't necessarily even serious, wasting everyone's time.

Michael, I sent you a PM but I haven't heard back. I don't know if you received it. Anyway, you can PM me or write back here. Would you consider selling your car or have you changed your mind?

You have two beautiful kids that need your attention, and your poor GT5-S just sits there in your garage sad and lonely. If you sell your car to me, I will carry the torch and take good care of this car, and I will be driving it often, as a beautiful car like this should be driven and enjoyed, not parked for indefinite periods.

David

P.S- Charlie, beautiful picture of your car. It is a historic picture too. I have never seen the DeTomaso factory before. It was so cool to see your car with the DeTomaso factory in the background.