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It turns out that the best money I spent on the restoration of my 74 was the 30.00 or so I spent on the emergency front hood release cable. It is an easy (except for climbing up under the dash) 1/2 hour job that could save you a MAJOR headache if the main cable breaks like mine did yesterday. This was a modification done by Ford but I don't think most cars got it. I have never noticed one at the shows. After seeing the cable sent by one of the vendors I saw that it could be made much cheaper by purchasing a length of metal fishing leader and some cable stops (probably about $5 worth of material).
By the way, how the heck would you ever get into the trunk if the cable broke and there was no emergency release?

Gary #06984
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Gary,

Believe it or not, I've been told by a couple of folks that when that cable broke and you took it to the dealer, they grabbed a PRYBAR and forced it open, then did the required body/paint repairs. Thanks for the note, though. Although I have seen this on most cars I've inspected, it is not on my car of two weeks, and it should move to the front of my to-do list.

Larry Finch #2511
In mid-73, believe it or not, Ford redesigned the Pantera's grille & hood hinges. Instead of studs holding the grille into the body, they welded nuts to the body and used screws. Then if the cable broke, a mechanic simply(?) removed the grille from the front, removed the hood hinge bolts, lifted off the hood and fixed the cable. BTW, I once owned a '58 Ford with the same front-hinged cable-operated type hood, and its cable broke a week after I sold it. The new owner told me that a gas station torched a 1 ft section out of the wheelwell and with flashlights and pry bars, released the hood latch. They advised him to leave the big hole in the inner fender "for next time...."
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