Denis C and the "new" DeTomaso

Can't resist. Yes, it was an experience I will remember for a long while!

Mark

that's it...?

Ok what's the deal?

Denis don't make me come down there!

its half scottish half irish humor from Mark, can't you see he's lolling away???

Hey, I'm half British and half American. Not a pint of Scotch or Irish in me. Of course, I am a lot more fun to be around after a pint of Scotch...

Mark,again I must commend you on the quality of your work. I have been left with mouth wide open a number of times looking at your photos. The detail in these are amazing. Keep it up. Rob6145

BTW congratulations Denis, looks like you hit the jackpot. Rob6145

OK here we go. As some of you know I was drawn( or thrust ) back into the world of DeTomaso last summer quite by accident. As a teenager the Pantera was my 'EXOTIC' as other cars were simply fantasies. Then in 1983 I was working in Markham and was offered a Countach at a good price but the owner flatly discouraged me from buying it as being too temperemanta(?) and couldn't be parked anywhere but your own garage. So I evolved in the new car market and the HotRod world. Fast forward to 92 and the Mustang passion kicked-in, then by accident in '95 i was introduced to 1035 an early red pushbutton cat. I called Hall's and again I was told to walk away because it being a pre-export car it would have many issues. Then in 98 another cat was available in Sherbrooke, it was in pieces and it needed to go fast the price was right but I wasn't fast enough. Then last summer Here I am working quietly in my garage and a gentleman comes up to the door and asks what are those motors. There 429SCJ and a 429CJ. WOW he says my boss has a Pantera. Good for him I said and he left, end of conversation.

Please allow me to apologize for my friend. He is easily distracted and often just drifts off mid-story...

And then what happened?????

Mark

An hour later a guys showed up and asked: How I knew he had a Pantera. I replied: I didn't know. He asked if I knew of anyone who would complete his restoration, so I offered to do it in my spare time. Heck I had restored a few cars in my time how hard could this be, I had the parts manual and the service buletins
When I got to the shop there were 20 boxes of parts and parts srewn all over the shop. What a puzzle !!
Over the course of my research I came across this board and realised there were a few Canadian guys posting a lot (guess who?), sent them PM's and started frindships. First Bohdan came over and offered his wisdom (and put a gentle fire under the pot). Then Mark and Andy came over, showed genuine interest, invited me to Kingston and literally set the room on fire. I challenged myself to be there with the Pantera. 6868 made it to Kingston (amidst a few setbacks and on a trailer). Had blast, met David and many of you. What a fun bunch of guys, friendship, a real club spirit.

Over the course of the fall and winter I was looking for a good Pantera and got to learn about Vallelungas and Mangustas. Then I found out about the Dr's Mangusta and decided that that was exactly what I wanted.

quote:

Originally posted by Denis C:
...Then Mark and Andy came over... and literally set the room on fire...

OK, just for the record, we didn't set the WHOLE room on fire...

...and then?

quote:

Originally posted by David B:
...and then?

Well, it burned for a while and then it just went out after we stopped pouring gas on it.

(Denis types really slow and I'm just trying to keep the audience interested...)

The price is very atractive, labour intensive but then I think a very special and rewarding car. I also came across 3 other cars needing restoration (here are 2). Indeed more expensive still interesting.

OK Mark, you calling me slow

Parallel research identified a long lost Mangusta in Toronto. I tracked the owner down and asked to see the car. He said it wasn't really for sale, but for the right price.... I set a date to see the car; same weekend Mark happened to be in TO and we went to see the car.

Then the owner politely delayed our meeting. We got the chance to go see Will and his baby.

Finaly we got to this warehouse filled with Italian toys and in the corner this blushing goose. Many Hums and Ahhs, (later mostly mine / Mark was holding back not to kill me to get the car) we got to an agreed price. And I drove home with a big grin on my face and in excellent company.

I went to pick-up the car on Thursday (April 30th). I tried to replicate the fire in engine bay but wasn't succesful, heck couldn't start it but I knew I'd figure it out. With my luck I drove back in the rain (again with an extra wide smile).

Ok so now 8MA1244 is sitting at home but she doesn't run. Sunday (like everyday) I go to the garage and oogle my new mistress, but today I have more time so I get the thinking cap on and a few tools. and determine I need a new fuel pump and battery. Monday I take a long lunch, amke a few calls and find the items. Get home early install the new items, wash the car and off I am to Mark's with the Mangusta (we want to surprise Bohdan)
Note: this car has not been on the road since 2002, I check the engine oil (it's clean) Brake oil and clutch oils is dark as coal. I have not had the safety inspection and the car is not plated. I was to borrow dealer plates but events made imposible to get them on time, so I just take a plate off my SUV, do a test run around the block, engine, brakes and trans sound OK. I have no idea what the switches are all about. Off I am to Mark's 35 Km's away)

The drive and show was a thrill. I expected to find the Mangusta very difficult to drive but it fits me like a glove, my only qualm is the resistance of the clutch (mental note- flush liquid and see if all is OK)

WOW
that looks like a beautiful, straight, original, unmolested car.... unbelievable...

Good find Denis!!!!

Hey David not to leave you out of the story. I got pulled over on the way back home. I thought I was safe because the cop was in the 3rd lane turning left, but 2 blocks up he's behind me; rear view is terrible especially with this darn limo tint - it's comming off. I get out of the car, he wants ownership, insurance and sriver's license. I hand him previous owner's signed ownership, copy of insurance (no Mangusta on there), tell him I have bridge insurance and driver's license. Then he says, your lights are dim, you have no front plate. I explain that no bracket was ever made for this car, he reponds, you made a car and couldn't figure how to make a bracket. I explain it is a production car ( 1 of 400), his reponse is funny on how the more expensive the car the smaller chance you'll find a front plate. Then he leans over and says my exhaust is non-standard since there are no baffles and he can see right thru. Very polite but he wanted to be right. Again I tell him this is an original low production car with 35,000km so factory exhaust, lights ect. H e hands me my papers less driver's license goes to his car. Notes the plates are from my SUV and asks me to promise him as a gentleman to find a way to attach a front plate on the car. Whew!!!!

Wow. Beautiful!

WOW - GREAT CAR and GREAT STORY DENNIS!!!

Billy
#3382

Beautiful is right. What a great looking and solid car. Denis did a huge amount of work and digging to find this beauty and I know she is now in the best hands she's been in for decades. It was e great pleasure to take my first drive in a Mangusta (thanks again Denis!) and it is certainly a powerful motivator to get my car rolling (after I finish the Pantera suspension, the few GT40 projects, my lawn chores....).

Pretty wild to see this car on the road. It looks incredible and low.

and...

and another...

For those of you (which included me until Denis showed up) that have never seen a Mangusta on the road under it's own power:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPSA63VR8ls

Beautiful Goose, Denis! Will you be bringing it to Pocono for us to bask in it's rare presence?

Michael

Félicitation Denis for your new aquisition, you got some serious showing off to do now.

What a beautiful car! Congrats!

Blaine

Wow, that is quite a find, congrats on your purchase and glad you can share it with the rest of us!

Looks cool rolling. Sounds real nice too!

The video sold me, now I want a goose too!

Michael, I think the Poconos might be stretch. I have many things I want to do on the car. Basic maintenance items. Change all fluids and do a torough inspection. Temp guage does not work... I will definately go to the Orange Julep when the Montreal crew will go (a little notice please) and Kingston is must; unless there is death in the family: mine (joke)

It's not a show car, it's a driver, after I sell my 49 Merc, a stepped restoration will be in the plans.

Denis

CONGRATS!!!

you need one of these! (see below...someone is listing them on ebay right now....)

There is another one that lists all the stuff that the car doesn't have....seat belts...side crash protection......

Nice car! Glad to see you got it running with little difficulty and no fires!!

Be sure to flush those brake/clutch systems out and put in Castrol Dot 4 only. (or some other Dot4...) But Castrol is recommended by seal makers... Eventually you will want to dissassemble the clutch master and slaves to clean the garp out of them, same for the brake calipers and master. I had all of my cylinders bronze sleeved and installed new seals. All seals are easily available still!

Check the condition of the flex lines for the brakes and the clutch.....replace if they are originals!

Re clutch effort: It is NOT an easy clutch....but you can get used to it. Firm sole shoes help! I find cowboy boots to be good drivers.... Not so much for summer....

Ciao!
Steve