Decisions, Decisions

I like your attitude.

You only go around once (unless you're Buddist).

That is the best decision you will make about your car. I did the same last year and have been having an immense amount of fun with the car. They were built to be driven.

Blaine

The way I see my Pantera ownership is that I paid for the right to enjoy it's depreciation, so that's exactly what I'm doing!

My brother just put a nice S shaped scratch and chipped the paint right on the pass side of the roof while putting the targa section back in after my wedding. I wasn't happy, but wadda ya gonna do? (Besides run the lawnmower into the quarter panel of his collector car! - I opted against this mid stride. jk)

Michael

It's funny how things change. I was initially interested in a tastefully restored 1972 Pantera with great paint, top mods and a strong engine: and I got it. Now, all I want is a bare tub, one seat, a roll cage and a turbo-charged 427!!!

Seriously, I love my Pantera and I drive it to it's fullest. My next dream is to own a Gr4-class racecar. Until then, I'm starting to think that race stickers aren't such a bad idea (if done up tastefully). The Gumball3000 Pantera was a good example, imo.

Drive on, boys!!!

I love this thread. I too have had a change of heart...my wife was high school friends with Gary Halls daughter, Karen. When they were in high school Gary would allow his duaghter who was 17-18 drive the Pantera to school!!! My wife and Karen would go out cruising in the Pantera at lunch and after school.

When Gary Hall died I started thinking how cool it was that he wasn't paranoid about the cars and what great experiences and memories he gave his daughter and my wife. Because of Gary's attitude toward sharing his cars, my wifes favorite car of all time is the Pantera (when I wanted to get the Pantera, my wife said absolutely get it, that would be so much fun). So I had a change of mind and heart, I'm going to let my kids (17 & 21)drive the Pantera and I'm going to seek out Solo 1 and gentle track days where there is a safe environment that I can teach my kids and let them drive (don't freak out, both have been driving karts for the last four years).

I figure life is not a dress rehersal and if it gets nicked, banged up or lose a motor, it can be fixed...but in the mean time think of all the joy it will bring to me and my family.

Man Inzowho! I thought you were about to tell us that you're selling your Pantera! Whew! What a relief to read that instead you decided to start enjoying it to the fullest extent.

I took a friend and fellow Pantera owner for a ride in my Pantera one day and he couldn't believe that I didn't baby it around town like some fragile priceless little treasure being driven by an overly cautious grandma! I flogged it and it was a blast! And as soon as my new engine is in, I'll get back to flogging it!

Drive it like you stole it!
Garth

quote:

I'm going to let my kids (17 & 21)drive the Pantera and I'm going to seek out Solo 1 and gentle track days where there is a safe environment that I can teach my kids and let them drive

Bravo, Tom! But a word of warning- hone your skills first 'cause those young nerves and reflexes may surprise you at the events! I took my daughters to autocrosses with our Z-28 and the Pantera, telling them the events were "advanced drivers training", and darnd if they didn't come pretty close to my times after only a few runs! One stuck with it and the other decided getting up early just to squeal tires in a parking lot somewhere wasn't worth it, but at least they were both exposed and showed good car control. 20 yrs later, neither has ever had an accident.

" I drove the crap out of it on the road course" AHHH now we are talking ... I enjoy 9138 I drive it enter it in shows with flaws ... its not the prettiest car but it goes like hell. This is one reason my other Pantera 6476 will get painted a solid color ..so its easy to touch up and spot paint it when something happens. I have always driven my cars ..the trailer queens just aint for me.

Ron

quote:

Bravo, Tom! But a word of warning- hone your skills first 'cause those young nerves and reflexes may surprise you at the events!

Bosswrench, too funny...and all too true. I expect I'll be getting beat soon. I'm still beating my son in the karts but not by very much. Physically the karts beat the crap out of me, so if I can say when the race is over(just before my son is ready to overtake me LOL) then I'm good. But at 17 he doesn't fatigue and can almost go unlimited laps without stopping, not to mention that his reflexes (as you mention)are amazing. He's catching the kart in some pretty amazing situations with the kart sideways. He always says... Dad come out with me...hold on son I have to catch my breath, but Dad it's only been 8 laps. The G's and no suspension take its toll on this old body.

Sounds like you had great results with teaching driving skills with your daughters....no major accidents. That's impressive with two in the house. Wish I could say the same for my daughter.