This is going to be a long read, but hopefully, a good one. As with most of us in this forum, I fell in love with the Pantera the moment that I first laid eyes on it. At the time, I had a 1970 Fairlane Cobra harboring a 429CJ with the drag-pack option, Holley 780 Dbl-Pump, 3/4 race cam, and a fully-functional Shaker Hood. That horsepower was taken to the streets by a close-ratio toploader transmission, coupled to a Detroit-Locker Posi rear. "High Test" was 103 Octane and cost 33.9 cents a gallon.
I was in High School at the time, going into college when the Pantera first graced the American shores. I set a goal that, some day, I'd have one. Where I lived at that time, there was one that I'd see occasionally, and naturally, I drooled over it. However, being a college student, I was nowhere near having the money for a gem such as that. I could barely afford to feed by current "baby".
As luck would have it, I "fell in love" after getting out of college and decided to get married. Yup, I'm still married to her. Time went by and our daughter was born. We'd decided that "The Missus" would stay home with the kids during those early, formative years, in order that they grow up to be decent human beings. With only one income, I finally had to give up my "baby" and sell my beloved Fairlane Cobra.
Years went by and we were also blessed with a healthy son. Being the dutiful husband and father that I am, all of my energies (and money) went into giving them the best possible childhood and education that I could afford. Still, I had my dreams.
Shoot forward fifteen years now. My daughter does exceptionally well in school, earning a full, four-year academic scholarship to Notre Dame Of Baltimore, an exclusive Women's college. Well, that's relieved a $125,000 load off of my shoulders, but I still have a son following her. It looks like he's following in his sister's footsteps, as far as his academic achievements are concerned, but time will tell.
My wife decided to go back to school at the age of 40 and we struggle once again as she's not around much, and when she is, she's studying feverishly. It takes her five years to complete her studies, but manages to graduate Cum Laude from college as a Registered Nurse (The kids had to get their smarts from SOMEWHERE, didn't they?).
In her fourth year of her studies, I have a rather unfortunate incident -- a heart attack. I've gotten through that unfortunate incident, thankfully. A lot goes through your mind when that happens. I had the epiphany that I'd never realized my own childhood dreams. I'd always been there for others, and never for myself. That was last year.
Well, this year, The Missus graduates and the first words out of her mouth were, "It's time for you to put up a garage and buy yourself a car!". I'll give you ONE guess as to the name of the car that sprang from my lips. That's right -- you guessed it!!!!!
The garage will be going up next spring as I go through dozens of plans and even dozens more of options. (Can you say "lift"? -- I knew you could...)
During that time, I will be just as my handle implies, a "PanteraHunter", learning as much as I can about how to examine them in order to get the best one possible.
I will be asking for help as time goes by, and perhaps, asking that one or two of you take a look at vehicles that aren't near the old homestead.
The Missus and myself plan on picking up the car from anywhere in the continental United States, showing up with nothing more than a Maryland Transport Tag and an empty credit card, and driving it back home together. We won't need luggage -- LOL -- there's a Walmart or a Target everywhere. We'll just pick up what we need along the way.
What A Grand Adventure It Will Be, Too -- I'll Be Living The Childhood Dream!!!!!