Engine compartment paint question

Original/stock appearing Panteras seem to be fetching the higher values these days, so presumably the textured bedliner type finish might be more "valuable," but it largely depends on the buyer as it will not be "stock" and can't be marketed as such.

Personally, I prefer the textured bedliner look that approximates the original appearance. A smooth painted engine compartment looks great on a show car, but it becomes just another surface to polish and wax and worry about scuffs, scrapes and scratches if you ever put the trunk tub in there again. Just my 2-cents.

But, it's your car so you should do what you like best!

The bed liner look can look amazingly good if done correctly. That being said, one can not simply scrape the old tar and spray on the bed liner. Once the tar is removed you will find that the sheet metal work is so bad that it will need some filler and sanding. If you omit this step the spot welds etc will telegraph thru and look horrible IMO. Either way its a PITA to restore the engine compartment.

Totally agree with ItalFord. I don't think the bed liner will deter from the value much, if at all. Most owners would welcome it in terms of protection for the engine compartment surfaces.

quote:

Originally posted by garth66:
Original/stock appearing Panteras seem to be fetching the higher values these days, so presumably the textured bedliner type finish might be more "valuable," but it largely depends on the buyer as it will not be "stock" and can't be marketed as such.

Not forgetting it's somewhat dependent on year as later Pantera's came with a satin painted engine compartment.

Joules is correct. Most of the last 73's and all of the 74's that I have seen came from the factory with a smoother satin black finish. Not sure at what serial number the change was made. Also the factory bed line appearance on many of the 80's Pantera's seems to be more "controlled" with a smaller pebbled finish. On some of the 71 and 72 models the engine compartment is quite terrible. Some of the cars look as if a blind child took a can and just sprayed wildly. I guess, just personal preference, but it is another reason why I prefer the later L models out of the Ford era Panteras. I find the look of the satin black to be much more finished looking. I wouldn't spray bed liner under the hood of any of the 60's or 70's era muscle cars I like either, so I don't see it suiting my Pantera.

We do high dollar restorations here, as such we shoot 'em with SEMS 39144 straight, independent of instructions to reduce 1:1. It looks richer if you will, shooting it straight. 10-12 psi at the cap with HVLP [high velocity low pressure]. 20-25 NON-HVLP. Shoot 2-3 coats at medium to heavy, no runs no sags no errors using a 1.2-1.4 fluid tip. To repeat in English, go buy a cheap jam gun at Harbor Freight, fill it with SEMS & go have fun.

Thanks for those details. Any chance you can post a photo showing how it looks when done?

Mark

All great replies thanks!!

With a recent focus on more stock Panteras, does anyone know roughly at what serial number the changes to the engine bay paint were made? It would help people to be able to complete an appropriate "stock" restoration. I think in the future, there are many people on this forum that will be in demand to share their information and knowledge on the Pantera build process. I know I enjoy learning about the many production changes.

I used "Hot Rod" black which is the same mat finish on hood and decklid. I also welded in some panels in the back to clean up the look in the trunk. That area always looked unfinished.

That looks great

quote:

Originally posted by tajon:
That looks great

Thanks