BBC Top Gear Pantera

That video is excellent. It's linked from my "DeTomaso Appearances in Movies, Television & Video" page:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/movie_dtinfilm.htm

Be sure to check out the Cross Town Traffic video by my friend Richard Mosier. Also one of my favorites:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/movie_pv_mosier.htm

And you absolutely have to see the trailer for Banzai Runner, the movie my car starred in:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/movie.htm

If anyone wonders where the flames come from, ask the Weber carbs. For anyone who didn't know that's what they do when the throttle momentarily closes.

Not enough for you, you say? When you start the car cold, it belches flames through the intakes.

Never look down the throats of the carbs unless you like to look surprized.

What do I mean? Ever notice when a person has no eyebrows how they look surprized?

Can anybody tell me what episode of top gear that comes from?
Dennis

It is not from top gear, its a clip from a video by Clarkson called Top 100 Cars

Thanks for that!

I know from Stephen that this car belonged to Lew Strong at the time of filming, but that he has since sold it. Stephen also tells me it is a 1985, not a 1971 as mistakenly stated by Clarkson. If I recall correctly, during the show it was driven by Phil Stebbings of the UK DeTomaso Drivers Club.

Does anyone know where this car is now, and who owns it?

I have not forgotten your request about details for this car Peter. I have mentioned it to Roger Brotton and will see Phil in a few weeks. Maybe he can provide more info.
Steve

sorry to get off the point but where do you guys get group 4 wheels from? Not here is the US? The ones they make now have flat spokes, not dished like the original group 4 wheels. Is it cost effective to ship them here if they look like the originals but in 17" and 18" ?

rcpantera:

If the photo in your avatar is that of your car, you already have original group 4 magnesium wheels either from Campagnolo or Tecnomagnesio. If your question is about the aftermarket 17" wheels, I only know of American vendors who sell them. If I recall correctly, Pantera East, Wilkinsons and Precision ProFormance all handle them. I'm not sure if anyone sells a Group 4 wheel in 18" diameter. Do a little surfing on the vendor web sites or call them to see what they offer.

As for your question about their appearance, I have never seen a 17" reproduction that looked as dished as the originals. I doubt that it would be physically possible to duplicate the relative dimensions because your are building a taller wheel but with the same width. If the dishing on the 17" wheel was to remain in the same proportion as on the 15" wheel, the width of the wheel would have to be increased and the wheel would no longer fit your car.

In short, if you like the look of the originals, then stay with them. They are much lighter than the aluminum replacements, which increases suspension compliance and reduces rotational inertia. They also allow you to maintain a lower ride height and centre of gravity, improving your handling. Tires in the 15" size may be expensive, but they are still available. So why fix it if it ain't broke?

RCPantera,

Call Larry Stock, PPC Reno (1-800 De-tomaso) he set up a deal with Daryle at Kodiak Motorsports to reproduce the GT5/5S Campi's. They took all the dimesnions off of Campi 10" and 13" 10 spokes and went up in diameter to 17" and 18".

Larry had a prototype wheel with him at Vegas last year and the raffle 1st prize was a set of these wheels, thanks to Daryle's donation. The prototype is now sat at PPC on show, ask Larry to send you a photo. These are the closest to the originals you will get and the Kodiak's are a top notch 3 piece wheel, don't weigh hardly any more than the original Campi's and won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Julian

Now that I think about it, you are probably referring to Laslo Antal's wheels, which are a larger diameter but still retain the deep dish look of the 15" originals. However, those are custom original one-offs that I understand were fiendishly expensive. I imagine custom body work would be required before you could get them to fit your car, but if money is no object you could always contact Laslo and see if it would be possible to have another set made up.

Those look a lot like the wheels that Steve Wilkinson made for Glen Kramer's car. They may not have been exactly the same, but they sure made me stop and pay attention.

I like the flush mounted side-marker light. How did they do that?

John

John,

I seem to recall mention of this (or that of a very similar car) being a Ferrari side marker.

Julian