Car is gone/ What about Amerisport?

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

Thanks George,

You say that they are not called De Tomaso, but Amerisport. Wouldn't this cause them to be looked on differently? I assume the serial numbers he brought in were "in line" with the others that came straight from the factory.

James

That's how Superformance sells their cars. I have been saying for a while they would make a good company to bring out the Pantera again:

http://www.superformance.com/

Amerisports have the deTomaso chassis number (THP....) plus a unique Amerisport VIN as well.

When you see one, there's no mistaking you're viewing an honest to goodness Pantera. An Amerisport is not a second class citizen in my mind, anybody else?

your friend on the DTBB

quote:

Originally posted by comp2:
...That's how Superformance sells their cars ...

That's also how Nobles are marketed in the US

quote:

I was looking to purchase the '83 GTS rebody from PI Motorsports but unfortunaly (for me) it was just sold.

PIM has an 83 GT5S conversion on ebay right now.
Is this the one you're referring to?

ebay

JK,

This is the same car. It is sold now.

Well that's weird.

"Buy it now" is still there..

PI also has Fred Terry's '87 GT5S listed as well.I have seen this car many,many times and cat attest to it being in incredible shape.It also has a twin supercharged,fuel injected 351C that runs like a stock engine(until you mash the gas!!! )

Ron

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

Thanks George,

Sorry I missed that on your original post. That is great to hear that you think there is no disadvantage with an Amerisport in the general Pantera fan's eyes and that the motors were actually better!

James

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

And some info on-line at Pantera Place http://www.panteraplace.com/page140.htm

Mike

Looks like this car now has the engine compartment sprayed with Rhino lining. Is this something that can be removed without effecting the metal or degrade the engine bay?

James