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Finally Got It!

ahudsonahudsonMember
My son and I flew to Detroit to 'finally' see the 1974 Pantera that had occupied my dreams for too long. I'd gotten photos, descriptions, and even spoke at length with the car's ONLY owner (I bought from a broker).

He had strolled into a Lincoln-Mercury dealer in late 74, wanted a silver one, but saw the dark green one on the showroom floor and said "Mine".

After years of joyful yet occasional use, he pulled into his garage, parked the car on jackstands, took the wheels off, "mystery" oiled the motor and walked away. At 23,497 miles he was done. That was in 1983. Fast forward...

A broker sees it. I get wind of it through the fanned flames of ebay. Work a deal. Then I take a Cashier's check and a large dose of faith and fly to go to see it.

A Too Quick Summary: It was as good or better than I'd hoped. Paid the very nice owner. Collected the near mountain of original paperwork, ogled the air cannister, spare, toolkit, and owner's cards... all from 1974.

The following day, I drove it on the ancient and quite past-their-prime Arrivas to Roush Special Projects with my beaming son planted in the passenger seat. To be honest, 60mph felt like 100 (the tires again) but we arrived and gave a list of 'freshening needs' to a very helpful JC Christian and Steve Fackender at Roush.

So after a total drive time of maybe 20 miles, we board a plane headed home, awash in a minor victory of car conquest, anxious for the day of it's re-emergence.

Visions of the future for this car and myself dance in my head. My 14 year old son breaks the silence: "You think you'll still have this when I'm 16?" The car is already paying rewards. I think another Pantera nut is in the making.

I'll report on the progress. Don't expect a fire-breathing nitrous pumped over-achiever from me; expect adherence to originality with sensibly driveable upgrades. (I'll have to define that as I go forward.)

Thanks to this Board already for the input. More to come PLUS PICTURES, I promise.
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mark5872mark5872Member
Visions of the future for this car and myself dance in my head. My 14 year old son breaks the silence: "You think you'll still have this when I'm 16?" The car is already paying rewards. I think another Pantera nut is in the making.

Thats how it started for me 23 years ago


Thanks to this Board already for the input. More to come PLUS PICTURES, I promise.[/QUOTE]

We are picture whores. were going to hold you to the pictures


Congrad's on your purchase, and welcome to the PARTY!


Mark 6808
Last edited by mark5872
ahudsonahudsonMember
High fives all around! The encouragement is great, but you're all adding to my insatiable anticipation! (Is it spring yet? Did Roush call yet?)

There's another side of this story, yet untold. Actually not THAT fascinating, but I'll be sharing it in an upcoming article. A hint here -

I'll just say that I told a very good friend of mine that if we hit a certain sales figure at work, I was getting a Ford GT or a Ferrari Boxer. Turns out we passed the figure, but I could still justify neither. (Oh, as if sports cars are justifiable? All you who are married, nod and say, "YES THEY ARE" because we'd better believe that!)

Anyway, in search of rationale, I turned to the Pantera. I saw 'poor mans' Ford GT.' I heard myself asking, 'Did you say $350 for a distributor cap?' and scratched my head over Ferrari worship. I'd recently sold a Ferrari 328 and enjoyed it migtily, even though the $6500 service was a bit absurd.

It hit me that muscle cars are now in the nosebleed section for investors, right along with many of the Italian thoroughbreds. This put my focus squarely on the car that offers both.

And every one of you is right: The Pantera looks so darn good, it's forgivable for many 'faults' (character-builders actually).

Thanks again for the support. I can't wait to hear from ALL of you about what caught your eyes, ears, hearts, and minds about this car as I watch this board.

And if you have any 10" Campys, would you please cough 'em up because I need a gift for my new toy!
D detom (Guest)
Well the cat is out of the bag. I got my copy of Automobile magazine yesterday and there was a huge multi-page write up on the hidden treasure known as the Pantera. It said that this car was problem plaged when new but now all the survivors had been sorted out by previous owners and they hinted it was THE car to buy. So now millions of folks will want one, and there are only a few thousand left, which means the prices will shoot up just like they did on muscle cars. Which also means people will pester us to sell our cars to them.
It was better off being a well kept secret cause now a lot of us will lose our cars to rich people who won't drive them. Frowner
D detom (Guest)
Well let's see, it came in the mail yesterday so it must be November issue. It also came with a cover that had an offer if I renew my subscription now I can give a years subscription to someone as a gift. I will check when I get home tonight to see what month it is for sure and if it is differant I will let you know. Gary Hall was in the article as well as another guy, who modified his Pantera to work with hand throttles and such. Like what Glen did only it wasn't Glenn.
ahudsonahudsonMember
Hey you thread hijackers! Kidding, but since this publicity (Automobile article) and other Pantera articles upcoming tend to 'swell' the public opinion, thus desirability, I thought I'd share this with you if you didn't see it in the "Buy/Sell" Section of this awesome site...

'Original' examples of #1 to #2 cars. Recently at Colin's Classic Cars a mint 74 with very few bolt on upgrades and original paint had an asking price of $64,500. Now sold. Do not know the sales price, assume 85%? 90%.

At Hyman LTD, a 73 (though listed as a 74) in dark green (exceptional repaint) and 22,000 miles also listed at $59,500, sold in his words "low-50's".

Seems a little applause is in order. Cheers to the Pantera faithful who knew it all along.
1973ufo1973ufoTeam Pantera Participant at Sandhills Open Road Race - August 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013
Welcome AH to the Pantera brotherhood! If you're like the rest of us Pantera addicts your "Pangasms" are only beginning & will only get better. Congrats on the car you you found. I also received my Automobile magazine several days ago & I think it was the November issue as DeTom said. You can tell by checking out the last page before the back cover - there is another Pantera picture that was taken at the time of its introduction at one of the auto shows of the time. Good article that covers the history of the car as well as its "Badass" reputation as an early '70's muscle car that still hold true today. A "must" have article for the P-Car owner!
rapidrapidMember
Hey Congrats A Hudson ! We all share in your excitement. I park my truck outside on the side of the garage and every morning I leave through the garage and leave the door open until I back out far enough to get a good look at my Pantera sitting there, finally hitting the button to close the door as I drive off. Yes it would be faster to leave through the front door, but you all understand why I leave through the garage!
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