quote:
Originally posted by Mark Charlton:
I'm in agreement that the car was a mess. The quality of work (especially the interior), even from the Popular Hot Rodding gallery, looks like crap. It is cars that are customized like that which make people think the Pantera is a kit car or something to be avoided. Worse is that a sale like that just gets recorded as a Pantera sold at $45K (or whatever it was). Too bad a big tent didn't fall on it and crush it before the auction.
Mark (who often has trouble expressing his opinions…)
Totally agree on the 'market' side of your comments; though I didn't see the car, I'll take your word on that. Though its kinda cool that the Pantera was the original 'resto mod' (before that was a common term), the mutations over the years have clearly kept it - and us - from seeing a deserved market-appreciation bounce. I mean, if you look at any other factory hybrids: Cobras, Italias, Iso Grifos, Bizzarinis, Apollos, even the now coveted Sunbeam Tiger, you see rather significant jumps.
High quality cars, even those modded with 'respect' shown to the marque, will be what pulls Panteras out of the funk. I am seeing more cars in the $60k ranges these days, and even just 'upped' the insurance on my own for the first time in 8 years. I actually sold the Ford GT, and Ferrari Boxer BBi since I feel a little weird driving a mid-6-figure car in my town PLUS the insurance got kinda wacky for the amount of miles driven.
I'll state right here that if/when the Pantera does the same, I'll still keep it. It is my sentimental favorite, always has been.