@bosswrench posted:Thanks for the backup, Percy. Although I don't quite agree with the late Carroll Smith (crew chief on the winning GT-40 team) who when asked by Ford for his rating on the Pantera as a race car, stated "..It is hopeless. The rear suspension is fastened to nothing at all"... It's a bit flexy but not THAT bad.
The first time I saw a '40 suspension I was shocked and concerned. It's made of 1" square tubing like the shade tent in my backyard from Viet Nam is.
I always thought that Smith was referring to the lack of "race" access to service a Pantera race car at the International GT level? That I would agree with in spades.
There are "signs" that there was considerable internal conflicts between Ford and Detomaso which shows, culminates, with buying, then shutting down Vignale and walking away from Detomaso as a retaliation? Smith's negative is an outlying symptom.
As far as the rear mounting goes, I have only two broken studs replaced right now (with BW's description 'cause that's how you do it) but am considering going all out and replacing them all now.
Considering my rear bar is upgraded in size, it can't reduce the stress on the studs, now I'm concerned what could happen if the studs break under hard load driving conditions or EVEN just cruising?
My "time" is normally now 3am. I just wake up sometimes in a cold sweat and start listing all of these "concerns" and don't get back to the "Playmate of the Year" until about 4am. Then she's not interested. Floated away actually. Figures? 
I need to organize my priorities better.