Hah, I just came across this post. I was the one who ended up with this car. Yes, it is amazingly solid. Zero rust ANYWHERE. Been driving it happily for 8 years, now doing some upgrades to it. Ordered Wilwood brakes for it from SACC Restorations (took them 10 months to build them and deliver them), which are being installed right now. Putting an aluminum Fluidyne radiator and new fans as well. All new stainless steel plumbing has been installed. Changing it from carbs to Holly Sniper 2 fuel injection as well. If you look up my other posts on this car, you will see I ordered GT4 wheels for it from Mavrick Wheels in Italy. The ordeal I went through with UPS getting them is worth reading.
Based on all the research I have done, with help from Marti Report, it appears that larryw was correct. It is a true GTS, but one that was built and sold in Europe, and not for the American market. Many decades ago it was imported to the US, and the previous owner had it converted to a GT5 body back in mid 1980s. I have it all written in another post on this website if you want to read about it.
It has been a very reliable, high performer Pantera the past 8 years, and with the upgrades it is undergoing right now, it should bring many years of joyful driving. I drive it only in nice weather, and it is evident the car has never seen rain in its lifetime. I have neve even washed it with a hose. I use a spray bottle and micro fiber cloths to wipe down any dust or an occasional smashed bug.
As far as the white interior, everyone that has seen it in person loves the interior white, so I think I will keep it as is. Seats are super comfortable with plenty of padding. Really the only thing I had done to it thus far was new tires and a new bluetooth radio (I kept the original). So at $43k, it was a real steal. Handy Chevrolet was selling it for their client/original owner, who was a classic sports car collector. Old age was forcing him to thin out his collection. I was lucky enough to end up with this gem. It sits next to a 2008 Ferrari F430 coupe, in yellow, and it gets 10x the attention my Ferrari gets at cars and coffee. It is a very special car, and I am blessed to have ended up with it.