quote:Originally posted by adoberetreat:
It appears I may have found Michael's GT-5s in the registry. Michael, is your chassis #9434? Because it looks just like your car. If it is, your car was originally white. Originally it had red interior. Originally it had a delta wing. And your original wheels are gone. I'm glad it is not original. I hope and pray that because your car is no longer original, the value has been somewhat compromised, to help offset whatever increased value the car has because it is a Targa. Because I'm scared that Targa top is going to cost me. (Ha!)
David,
9434 is indeed my 5-S. QV500 has it listed as an '85, but it is actually an '86. It was originally white with red leather interior with the delta wing, white painted campys, and NO lettering on the side. That is how it was when I first came across it in April of '95 when I took that picture. I posted it on the web a few years ago, that's where QV500 got it from. It is listed on the ProvaMo website as well with better pictures. I was able to finally purchase it in Sept. '03. I got it in it's current color combo. The picture below is what it looked like when I first got it.
The car is bone stock except for the change in colors, and the wheels. Original campys can always be refitted, but I just don't think they suit the car at this point. I don't think these changes affect the value. In fact, the color and wheels really make the car 'pop' and make it much more attractive than it was in it's original form, hence making it more desirable. Just last season, I was asked if it was a new car. It totally fits in with modern exotics.
Ask around at what a Pantera knowledgeable shop would charge to do a targa conversion on a Pantera. I did when I had my '74. About 10 years ago, the only place who would attempt it (Tom Horvath? in CA) said it would cost a minimun of 50k, and would likely be closer to 100k when all was said and done. Gary Hall did 'Purple Passion' (pictured in an above post), and said he WOULD NOT duplicate that targa conversion for 250k! He said the targa conversion was way too labor intensive and costly, and he wouldn't take his time up with it again. Even after all that, it still isn't a Pavesi Targa. I'm not saying that a targa top will add 100k to the price of my Pantera, but it's not going to be a few thousand either. If you were to ride in a targa Pantera, I think your 'fever' would become life threatening!
Michael
