Skip to main content

Reply to "step one make the car straight. help"

I know your main thrust will be the front, but be aware that all Panteras have partially collapsed their rear suspensions such that most have severe negative camber that cannot be aligned out. A few (like mine) had popped spot-welds in the supporting rear crossmember(s). The car could benefit from seam-welding the entire body, so don't agonize too much if it doesn't come out perfect. An aftermarket upper rear strut-bar will help.
Second- many if not all '72-up Panteras are asymmetric in front- adding a maximum-width front wheel may fit close to the fender edge on the left, and stick out 3/4" on the right. This is so prevalent, I speculate the factory welding jigs may have been off at some point.
Third- the front uprights and steering arms were relatively soft forgings while the a-arms were steel tubing and all may have bent in the accident. Your body-guy will know how to use pressure and maybe a rose-bud torch to safely straighten these parts if necessary. Have your heart medicine handy if you check prices for new replacements....
Forth- you didn't mention what year the car is. Early '71s were really pre-production prototypes built at Vignale Coachworks while later cars were built at Ghia. Many of the front & rear suspension parts are different than the later cars, while appearing the same. Be sure you know what you've got there before ordering parts! I've dseen cars with mix-&-match front suspensions.
Fifth- body/frame alignment specs were published in the Pantera Tech Service Bulletins at the very back, but the lines in the dwgs are extremely light so they don't show well (or at all). Plus, Europeans apparently use different dwg conventions- imaginary lines forming reference points etc. so some things in the dwgs are unclear.
×
×
×
×