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I was looking to purchase the '83 GTS rebody from PI Motorsports but unfortunaly (for me) it was just sold. So I am wondering if anyone has opinions or information on just exactly what an Amerisport car is all about. Is it considere to be a real Pantera GT5-S or is it just like the above '83 rebody? Are they worth as much as an actual mid '80's GT5-S that is straight from the factory?

Thanks,

James
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James.

Kirk Evans founded Amerisport. He's here on the BB from time to time. He's a great guy, and he is a big player in Pantera history, regarding those brought into the US during the 1980s. Not only did he import his own cars (the Amerisports) but he was responsible for getting all the grey market cars smog certified, as far as I know.

An Amerisport is a Pantera whos motor was installed in the USA, rather than Italy. I'm not aware of any price differences between Amerisports and other Panteras grey marketed into the US during the 1980s.

Kirk had very close ties with the factory, so a deal was made for him that was never offered to anybody else, they sold him partially assembled coaches. Actually they were fully assembled except they were missing their motors. This made it much easier to import the cars, as they were not whole cars, they were a sub-assembly. Kirk (Amerisport) then dropped in the motors and became the manufacturer of record, hence you couldn't call them deTomaso automobiles, they became Amerisports.

That's Kirk on the right

your friend on the DTBB

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Ron,

I am looking at the car you are mentioning (on the web, anyway) It is confusing between Pantera International and Pantera International Motorsports!! The websites even look similar?? For my taste it is unfortunate that they did the interior in that color and styling. Maybe this is how it came from the factory, I just do not like red cars or the way the tan interior comes off. I am sure they spent a lot of time on it. Is the supercharger a good way to go? Seems like it would be hard on the engine. You know the saying "make it to go, make it to blow"

Everyone,

Am I correct to assume that the exterior and interior of an imported car that was "manufactured" by Amerisport was all completed at the factory? Only difference is the installed Ford motor. What about the tranny? Was this included when it shipped from Italy?

Thanks,

James
quote from my first reply ....

quote:
Originally posted by george pence:
... they were fully assembled except they were missing their motors...


On top of that, Kirk installed motors that he had assembled here in the US. They were the same 351C as used in all other Panteras, but Kirk's motors had 4V heads, whereas deTomaso was using Australian motors with 2V heads. Kirk installed a fairly stout Crane camshaft, Holley carb, etc. The Amerisports had BETTER motors than other Panteras of the era.

George
quote:
Originally posted by Cloudbaseracer:
Ron,

I am looking at the car you are mentioning (on the web, anyway) It is confusing between Pantera International and Pantera International Motorsports!! The websites even look similar?? For my taste it is unfortunate that they did the interior in that color and styling. Maybe this is how it came from the factory, I just do not like red cars or the way the tan interior comes off. I am sure they spent a lot of time on it. Is the supercharger a good way to go? Seems like it would be hard on the engine. You know the saying "make it to go, make it to blow"

Thanks,

James


James,
The interior in Fred's car is absolutely amazing! It's a shame you don't like the color. It is atleast as nice as ANY I have seen at Vegas in the 6 times I've been to the POCA Ralley.
As far as the supercharger goes,Fred has the boost set very low so there isn't a huge strain on the engine.He has bulletproof internals in it as well.One great thing about a supercharged engine is that there is no boost unless it is under a load.If you drive it like a normal car,you are actually putting LESS strain on the engine than a stock engine (because of the lower compression ratio mandated by the supercharger) If you have a heavy foot and are "in the boost" most of the time,then it is a different story.


Ron
quote:
Originally posted by Mark:
...In some past PI mags there was a story done about Kirk and his AmeriSport Panteras. You many still beable to order them from PI...


Issues 106, 108, 110. All 3 still available. If somebody orders these 3 issues, I'll offer you a Bulletin Board discount of 10% off the price of all 3. Just mention this discount when ordering.You must order all 3 for the discount.

your friend on the DTBB
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