Found a push button Pantera in barn... what now?

quote:

Originally posted by Jennifer:
Hi. I have been enlisted to sell this car as part of an estate liquidation I am handling. I am seeking the advice of professionals as to what to do with this car. I was able to photograph only a few pix before my phone died yesterday. I will have more in detail access to the car next week. What I know is that it has the push button door. It has been rusting away under a tarp for what appears to be a very long time. Is it worth restoring with this much rust? Is it better to sell it for parts? Any advice is so very appreciated. Also, how do I find the car "number" that I see everyone on this forum using. Thanks! Jennifer

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Hi Jennifer,

The rust on that thing looks BAD. But, the car is an early 71 with pushbutton doors and single slot Campy wheels, so it may be worth restoring, to the right person. It really depends on just how much rust is present. Typically when a Pantera has rust, it's much worse that what shows up on the outside because the chassis is of a monocoque construction which allows water to get into the frame rails and body panels. By the time rust is evident on the outside, it usually means that things inside or FAR WORSE. But again, it really requires an inspection by a knowledgable Pantera person to determine the extent of the damage.

The VIN is located on the top of the pedal box in the front trunk (the flat square box that the brake booster is bolted to at the back of the front trunk on the driver's side. You open the trunk by pulling the big release lever/handle just under the dashboard on the driver's side by the door. When closing the trunk, don't slam it. Close gently, the place both hands at the back center of the trunk where the latch is and give a firm push down to latch.

Does the car have it's engine and transaxle (transmission)? Is the interior complete?

I'll PM you my phone number and you can give me a call if you'd like to talk more about it. I'd like to learn more about the car just out of curiosity.

I bought #6468 which looked kinda ok from outside but was solid in terms of rust so I drive it recently.
Then I bought #6303 which looked better first look but was a mess in terms of rust. Lower valnace, doors, chassis... We welded and tinned the car for about 300 hours, no it is in the paint shop.

If I see only 2 pics of this '71 PB car... if you are not a professional welder with great experience and able to take big suffer and have a really big wallet then RUN!

hi Jennifer it looks like the tarp is totally sealed plastic (no breathing) the california humidity and salt air in that area is very hard on good cars not fragile ones like the early panteras. i would take lots of pics in the engine bay suspension pieces pull the carpet back on the floors and generally every nut and bolt. while the car may not be driven for a long time that salt air permeates every where and by the way are those pine needles on the hood?

The car needs an experienced person to look in the right places for the really deadly rust, like the frame around the rear suspension connection points, where unless holes were drilled, water was trapped and literally rusts the car from the inside out.

It's still worth a pretty penny if it has the drivetrain, and THAT isn't rusted out. The gearbox alone is worth a lot.

Hi Jennifer, i would be interested in buying your car is you want to call me. Im located about a hour and 15 min. from Santa Barbara so i could drive up anytime. you can call me at 818 424-2694.thanks, mike mayberry.....

Mike, if you don't get her I hope she winds up across the pond with the metal wizards in Scandinavia. After the winter she'll be like new.