My old friend Chris Darling did indeed have a massive heart attack while leaving the recent Lake Havasu Car Show in his Pantera, and hit first a parking island, then a tree (at 5-10 mph!) But after 45 minutes work by paramedics and a rapid trip to the hospital, they stabilized him enough for successful 6-hr open heart surgery. He had undiagnosed 80% cardiac blockage on one side!
I'm 700 miles north so I had previously heard only sketchy reports he had NOT survived. Imagine my shock when I got a phone message from him last night..... right outa The Twilight Zone! We had a 1/2 hr conversation and he's doing fine- the stitches come out next week. His beautiful green '74 fared a bit less well.
He hit the tree dead center at low speed, then fell fwd onto the steering wheel and accelerator & lit the tires. So the carbon fiber hood is toast as is the radiator, headlight erection bar, L bumper, the rad mounting assembly, the grille, spoiler and lower valence panel. The front fenders seem OK- a bit twisted with other unspecified suspension damage.
Some damage was caused by oblivious tow-truck people who tried to lift & tow his Pantera from the rear! If anyone has spare parts f/s as noted, call Chris at (805) 819-1701 in Lake Havasu City for details. Right now he's having computer problems with this Site. He hopes to drive his Pantera to the Reno Fun Rally in mid-June! This is one tough 72-yr-old!
