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Body Conversions?

G Guest
This might be heresy to some of you. I don't know.

However, I've been looking at Panteras for some time with an eye toward buying another one. My first Pantera was a Matchbox Group 4. It was white blue and orange.

Anyway...
After looking around for a while I have realized that I like three body styles:
1) Stock (no wing) http://www.panteraplace.com/ICD/2003/Mikes_Pantera_ICD_2003.JPG (Mike's car is nice - I've seen it in person.)

2) Group 4 (no wing)
http://www.panteracars.com/colinkbb.jpg

http://www.panteracars.com/mont2002a15.jpg

3) GT5-S (no wing) http://www.panteraplace.com/Pantera%20Pics/Rick%20Bell.JPG

The hard edged scoop in front of the rear tire, the ground effects, and the abrupt flares of the GT5 aren't as appealing to me personally as the others. For those of you with these cars - take no offense - they are beautiful. I just like the others better.


Real Group 4s and GT5-Ss are relatively expensive compared to the stock cars (understatement?). I don't see the wheel flares of a Group 4 as too difficult to fabricate, but the bodywork of a GT5-s isn't something your local body shop could create for you.

Are their suppliers that sell the GT5-S bodywork so that a stock Pantera can be made to look like a GT5-S? Same question for Group 4s?

Don't worry, I wouldn't go chopping on some pristine 5K mile 71 pushbutton. I'm wondering because if I go to all the trouble involved in the resto route where I have a car with some rust issues. I would like to bring it back as a GT5-s or a Group 4.

Thanks for any info!

-Perry

[This message has been edited by Perryh (edited 01-27-2004).]
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C charliemccallMember
Perry -
The post you found answered some questions... If you are planning to restore a somewhat rusty narrow body car and are looking at this as a hobby, then full speed ahead. But financially, you would be far better off finding a car that has already been converted than by paying for the conversion yourself.

It isn't just the flares... Flares need wider wheels, new rims. You can run into issues if you don't upgrade the bearings for the wider wheels. Brakes. Etc.

A fully converted early car doesn't sell for much more (if any?) than an original-style early car. So financially, it makes sense to let someone else take the hit for the conversion and buy it already done.

If you decide to do this yourself, do a fair amount of research beforehand to get an idea of everything you need to replace to make sure you aren't getting into a deeper project than you think...

Good luck!

------------------
Charlie McCall
1985 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S #9375
"Raising Pantera Awareness across Europe"
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/gt5s_1985
P Perryh (Guest)
Thanks for the reply Charlie.

That's good food for thought, but whatever I get will eventually end up with wide wheels, big brakes, etc. anyway (likley as wide as the body can accomodate without me looking like a pimp.) So that isn't neccesarily a problem.

I grew up working on old Mustangs and I've replaced nearly the entire suspension on my current car (a late model Mustang cobra). That sort of stuff is fun for me. I'm just tired of doing it to a depreciating car.

I see Panteras as the last cool old Ford powered car that haven't skyrocketed in price to the ridiculous range. Obviously you can't touch Cobras or GT40s, but the prices of the Shelbys, Mustang fastbacks, and even Shelby "clones" are becoming fairly absurd for what you are getting for the money.

Plus with the Pantera I get a car that is unique to most non-car enthusiasts and the engine is over my shoulder. I don't mind spending the money to make one the way I want it. I keep cars for a long time. There is still a window for me to latch onto a Pantera before it is too late.
HS Highway Star (Guest)
Charlie's right. You're better off financially buying someone else's conversion.

Mike Drew once posted in the email forum that a converted car that's done correctly is worth around $5000 more than a stock car. This is no where near what the cost of the conversion will set you back. Ofcourse, a car that completely botched up will be worth less than a stock car.

Exceptions do exist. There's a STUNNING GT-5 conversion that recently sold in Arizona for A LOT of money. And judging from the pics, was well worth it. So the higher the quality of the conversion, the higher the price difference between a converted and stock car.
C charliemccallMember
quote:
Originally posted by Perryh:
Thanks for the reply Charlie.


I grew up working on old Mustangs and I've replaced nearly the entire suspension on my current car (a late model Mustang cobra). That sort of stuff is fun for me. I'm just tired of doing it to a depreciating car.

-snip- I don't mind spending the money to make one the way I want it. I keep cars for a long time. There is still a window for me to latch onto a Pantera before it is too late.


That's the right attitude then. Financially, you will be ahead to buy one already converted. If it will be a labor of love, it is something you genuinely enjoy doing in your spare time, and you plan to keep it forever, then go for it!

You've got all the right reasons for wanting a Pantera... keep us posted!

------------------
Charlie McCall
1985 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S #9375
"Raising Pantera Awareness across Europe"
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/gt5s_1985
TK Tai Krige (Guest)
Just stumbled onto this Neighbourhood Bar Site for the first time, - so forgive my late posting and you dont list an E-mail address Perry, so I would just like to add here:
Have u found what u were looking for?
If not, u might want to look at pics of my car: a 'skinny-body' Grp.4 Replica running fat tyres without the Grp.4 flares.
I also prefer this look. See what u think, and let me know what u think of the other pics of my up and coming brand new, purpose built, hi-tech, space-framed, trick suspension (fully adjustable etc.)-+ 2086lbs 'modern' Pantera street / track car ?
Has to be the answer to the very, very expensive totally impractical (I know,I owned & drove one around here in South Africa & Germany for 6 years....) Ford GT40 replica's, ( not to speak of Ford's own one, - if u can get one )........ on sale here on this fine P.I.Website.-
I see one of them has been sold for over $ 100.000 and the other two are on sale,for -+ $125.000. I know these cars and ours is very, very simular.
To see these pics go to Technical Questions section under ALAN B's posting of "180 degree Headers" down on my posting : TAI KRIGE. - Cheers, tai.
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