quote:
Originally posted by accobra:
Heres a good picture in a hard corner ...
That's some big rubber on the back of your GTS Ron!
I'm amazed it doesn't rub the outer fender. Since the 15x10 wheel has negative 6mm offset, the sidewall of that tire actually extends outward 3mm more than a 335mm tire mounted on a 17x11 Campy clone.quote:
Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
... My thought though is that I'm not sure that you need to increase the front track ...
... I'm with Ron on the longer studs thought though ...
... Are there more illustrations that go with that one George?
The front track was reduced one whole inch by installation of the 15x8 wheels in the front. I'm curious if De Tomaso compensated for that by adding a spacer. I'm agreed about the need for longer studs. Since 225/50R15 tires can be installed on the 15x7 front wheels without rubbing, I see no reason why that spacer couldn't be 12mm thick because the 15x7 wheels have 12mm less offset than the 15x8 wheels.
That illustration is an incomplete version of an illustration scanned from Jan Norbye's Pantera book. Mr. Norbye's comment below the picture reads "what it takes to make a European spec GTS out of your standard Pantera". I assume the picture is from the "Post Ford" European Pantera parts manual; but that's only an assumption since I don't have a copy of that version of the parts manual.
quote:
Originally posted by David_Nunn:
... It seems to me, the items shown in the diagram are GT3 parts not GTS ...
When the Group 3 Pantera was conceived, it could only be equipped with the same components as the road version save for a few safety items. The standard Pantera was not "race ready" so an improved road going Pantera (the GTS) was a necessity in order to compete in the Group 3 class. The GTS and Group 3 are therefore kissing cousins. The Group 3 was based on the GTS. Or to look at it the other way around, the GTS was created so De Tomaso could go Group 3 racing. After a couple of years the Group 3 rules were relaxed, allowing for a few parts such as brakes to stray from the production items. But ... a customer could have ordered a GTS from the factory at any time, and had it equipped with every part used for the Group 3 as optional items. So ... are we looking at a Group 3 exploded view, a GTS "options" list, or both?
The original wide body road going Pantera, what we call the GT4, was also conceived as a GTS with optional wide wheels/tires and fender flares. It didn't become a model separate from the GTS until 1980, the year the GT5 was introduced. The heavy duty brakes and uprights installed on the GT5 and GT5-S Panteras were sourced from the Group 3 race car.
Anyway, I've digressed. I've never heard of a GTS having a spacer up front. I'm just being thorough, making sure I haven't overlooked anything. Seeking the facts. I'm hoping to be educated.
Your comment about the Group 3 brakes has indeed educated me.The "spirit" of Pantera International is the sharing of information. Thanks to all who've chimed-in. I hope the comments keep coming.