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Personal Introduction Jerry Sr. I have been lurking on this page for weeks, Thanks for the membership. I am amazed at the shared knowledge on this (in particular) and other sites. The depth of knowledge shared on this site second to none. It has saved me so much time and headaches. Not sure I have much to add, I guess we'll see.

Back to #2636 1972 Pantera

As fate would have it, my son and I were looking for a projest car. A friend had a 67 Camaro for sale so we went to look at it. I had heard he was storing a Pantera and figured it was a driver and not for sale. When we got there I saw the condition of the Pantera. It was covered with who knows what, ( you couldn’t see through the windows) , covering a lot of surface rust, partially disassembled engine ( no carb or exhaust) , Undercarriage had flaking rock hard thick undercoating ( I owned a 77 Porsche with the same undercoating so I know what it can hide) and no way to properly get under the car. I had to see if I could rescue/buy it.( what Camaro LOL) Turns out a couple other people were already kicking tires. So after quickly looking it over I made my best offer.

After a couple of weeks of negotiation and nervous waiting I own it. Turns out I worked on this exact car and drove it when I was a 22 year old greenhorn mechanic. I think the paint went bad and into storage it went (my deduction) So it just vanished)

I didn't waste any time, got educated ( as much as you can in a few weeks ) and tore into it, It will be a father/son project. Both of us are experience technicians so it will be a fun project. The mechanical didn’t worry me but the body did. We know very little about body work and less about rust repair. So I started looking for someone local to evaluate the body.

First order of business vigorous bath and hours of removing any undercoating in areas that it was loose, chipped and digging at any underbody rust. I knew anyone would needed to see what was hidden to properly evaluate it. ( I owned a 77 Porsche that had the same undercoating and it can hide a multitude of bad)

Well I found a local “guy” to evaluate the condition. Turns out you can’t swing a “Cat” around in our area without hitting a guy named Kirk Evans of Amerisport.

I called him and ironically he was in my end of town running errands. He stopped by that afternoon. He seemed impressed with early vintage and the originality of the car. Kirk very strongly encouraged me not to do major alterations. (more like demanded, he told me to buy a different Pantera for that,) Turns out the under body rust is very typical, not major and can be made better than it was original (open up trapped and blind pockets for proper drainage, install wheel wells) The surface rust wasn't a consideration at all.

I asked if he could do this type of work and he agreed to tackle it. If all goes well Kirk will be getting starting on #2636 as soon as I can get it stripped out.
BTW I had no idea the part Kirk played in the History of the Pantera. What an honor and blessing
More to come I'm sure Enjoy the Pics Jerry Sr.

1972 Pantera 2636
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quote:
Originally posted by JerrySr:
Thanks JFB. I was surprised that it was THAT Pantera from my past.

I already joined and registered the car at Provamo, I don't quite get the access limitations of that site and cant see what I'm missing (don't miss what you don't know I guess).

Best to u Jerry Sr


Once registered there isn't much you can't do. Have you been able to log in?
Congrats and Welcome Jerry. Kirk is a fantastic guy with a ton of knowledge and history with these cars. It's cool to see he is going to help you achieve your dream with 2636. Looking forward to seeing the progress pics/story. ;-)


quote:
Back to #2636 1972 Pantera

As fate would have it, my son and I were looking for a projest car. A friend had a 67 Camaro for sale so we went to look at it. I had heard he was storing a Pantera and figured it was a driver and not for sale. When we got there I saw the condition of the Pantera. It was covered with who knows what, ( you couldn’t see through the windows) , covering a lot of surface rust, partially disassembled engine ( no carb or exhaust) , Undercarriage had flaking rock hard thick undercoating ( I owned a 77 Porsche with the same undercoating so I know what it can hide) and no way to properly get under the car. I had to see if I could rescue/buy it.( what Camaro LOL) Turns out a couple other people were already kicking tires. So after quickly looking it over I made my best offer.

After a couple of weeks of negotiation and nervous waiting I own it. Turns out I worked on this exact car and drove it when I was a 22 year old greenhorn mechanic. I think the paint went bad and into storage it went (my deduction) So it just vanished)

I didn't waste any time, got educated ( as much as you can in a few weeks ) and tore into it, It will be a father/son project. Both of us are experience technicians so it will be a fun project. The mechanical didn’t worry me but the body did. We know very little about body work and less about rust repair. So I started looking for someone local to evaluate the body.

First order of business vig
Thanks, I cant wait to hear her purrr again

quote:
Originally posted by Rob Borruso:
Congrats and Welcome Jerry. Kirk is a fantastic guy with a ton of knowledge and history with these cars. It's cool to see he is going to help you achieve your dream with 2636. Looking forward to seeing the progress pics/story. ;-)


quote:
Back to #2636 1972 Pantera

As fate would have it, my son and I were looking for a projest car. A friend had a 67 Camaro for sale so we went to look at it. I had heard he was storing a Pantera and figured it was a driver and not for sale. When we got there I saw the condition of the Pantera. It was covered with who knows what, ( you couldn’t see through the windows) , covering a lot of surface rust, partially disassembled engine ( no carb or exhaust) , Undercarriage had flaking rock hard thick undercoating ( I owned a 77 Porsche with the same undercoating so I know what it can hide) and no way to properly get under the car. I had to see if I could rescue/buy it.( what Camaro LOL) Turns out a couple other people were already kicking tires. So after quickly looking it over I made my best offer.

After a couple of weeks of negotiation and nervous waiting I own it. Turns out I worked on this exact car and drove it when I was a 22 year old greenhorn mechanic. I think the paint went bad and into storage it went (my deduction) So it just vanished)

I didn't waste any time, got educated ( as much as you can in a few weeks ) and tore into it, It will be a father/son project. Both of us are experience technicians so it will be a fun project. The mechanical didn’t worry me but the body did. We know very little about body work and less about rust repair. So I started looking for someone local to evaluate the body.

First order of business vig
#2636 Update.

Vehicle is stripped to the bones. Except 2 stubborn screws, (there's always a couple trouble makers) Glass removal made me sweat bullets but inspected, cleaned and SAFELY stored ! Fabed a body cart , Rotisserie delivered to shop, Fab work on rotisserie mounts and hang it Monday then off to hydro media blaster Tuesday/Wends (if I can get those last screws out LOL).
A/C Heater box rebuilt, lots of parts glass beaded and ready for powder coating. (Thinking of setting up my own powder coating oven for medium sized parts) Wireing harness connections cleaned, repaired a couple rub thru's and factory screw piercing and wrapping fixed. All interior parts cleaned and stored.
Couple of sheet metal parts to order , lots of other small parts to consider.
For those interested a change in Body shops, (Kirk was very understanding) An old friend that owns a local body shop that does a lot of custom work. My first job working for his Dad in this business in the late 70's, first time I ever saw/touched a Pantera. He just happens to covet an old Caddie I have for sale. His late grandfather was the last to do any body work on it 40 years ago , It came from the original owner -our mutual friend. I think he was 10-12 years old at the time
"He made me an offer I couldn't refuse" (Partial trade) So I got an Italian/American body shop to rebuild my American/ Italian car ( he is to doing the metal work himself ) fully documenting the process and allow me to take an active part. ETA very early spring. Pics to follow.
Look forward to spending the next couple months cross-eyed detailing every nut, bolt and bracket.

Sorry for the long post but it's funny how things make a full circle.
JerrySr
Thank you. That's very cool about your father /son project. I can't wait to see my son drive mine the first time. ( Or my daughter, she wants to drive it ) She has never driven anything without antilock, Trac control, power steering, ect. I may have to Facebook live it (one more thing I need to figure out) LOL. I don't know how enjoyable it will be for her but I will enjoy the heck out of the parking lot only show.

quote:
Originally posted by Brickdrifter:
Congrats on ownership. My Pantera is also a father/son project.
Wish I could have driven one before. Now it is waiting until mine is finished. ;-)
jerrysr posted:
JFB
I will post pics and updates. With the Pantera pics are required because I want it to return it to as original as possible. My last build I hardly documented anything and didnt take many pics ( pre Digital days)

About a week behind my personally imposed schedule. Pressure washed with spinning head attachment,   almost ready for media blasting (1 more round of pressure washing)  It must have been a Laquer paint job with no clear previously. Lots of checking and the paint blew off in chunks.  I will be happy to see it stripped and in primer.  It has the Uglys currently.  Would like to see it one color,,,, any color 

Jerry Sr

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Been a heck of a couple years. Long story short Body shop owner passed with covid, Found a new (much more Pantera familiar shop) Built and outfitted a new garage for the build, now 90% retired (my tools came home, so I'm not going back 😊)

I'm back at the car after a involuntary hiatus.

Most components/assemblies are "reconditioned" So after Cavity wax things should (hope) go smoothly🤞🤞  JerrySr

a few pics

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