Reply to "Pantera Project Car Wanted"

My dream of owning a Pantera started 34 years ago, when I was 14. I swore I'd own one someday.

I saved for close to 5 years, went through a few other toys (Porsche race car, hopped up turbo Subaru BRZ, nice newer twin turbo BMW) but in the end I sold off what I had and finally went for it and bought my dream car.

Unfortunately, in my case, certain circumstances made it not my "dream" car, but it IS a bada$$ 600-plus HP sweet Pantera that I own, and will have back on the road in a week or so (as soon as I get my new throttle cable).

Stick to your dream. It doesn't have to start with a Pantera, because you're going to have to save quite a bit to find a decent example that doesn't need a lot of work or money.

I'm 48, just had open heart surgery, which had a large affect on my perspective about life, and my dreams are what drive me in life. When I wake up, I'm thankful every day I wake up at all, then I remember I own my dream car, life is good.

If you're dead set on a Pantera, save save save your money. IMO better to buy one that's already been gone through, or in good condition, than pay less for a project, for a number of reasons.

Projects often never get finished (1) Projects always cost way more than you think (2) Projects can discourage you and force you to give up (3).

I thought I was buying a solid car when I bought mine, but it ended up having a lot of issues that happened before I bought the car, and I was told many things about the car that weren't true, so I got stuck with a nice car, but I've been doing nothing but work on it, fixing the things I was told were "new, fresh, or in good condition" so also be careful when it comes to buying one.

Research it's history, have an INDEPENDANT shop do a PPI (pre-purchase-Inspection-it's worth the couple hundred bucks if you're serious about a certain car), a big mistake I didn't make that I'm paying or now.

Even if you build some other cars with your gramps, you'll gain experience, save yor money, and get a good, solid Pantera with a known history when you are able.

Just like you, my dream of owning a P-car started when I was 14, but I had no help, so I had to wait til I was 47 and had the money to finally go out and get one.

Panteras are amazing cars. Total PITA's to work on, but there's only one or 2 other cars I'd love to own more, and they are WAY out of my reach finacially.

Stick with your dream, I wish you luck.