Gran Turismo Inc. $1295 "Clevland" motors. (don't hate me)

I have a bunch of the "old" stuff also. Even have the 1st Pantera International News. Mind Train evidently was a major vendor in the '70's (& 80's?). I have catalogs, pictures and odds and ends from them also.

What ever happened to Mind Train. I've seen their rear louvers, some cool looking mufflers/exhaust, etc. but they are no where to be found. Just currious...

Plankton
3382

Mindtrain is still around. I belive they make exhaust systems for other types of cars/trucks now. I spoke with Fred not too long ago. he had 2 sets of his famous glasspack exhaust systems left. I believe they have sold by now.

Fred is a very knowledgable and friendly guy. I learned a lot the few times I have spoken with him.

I have some contact info. if anyboby needs it.

Adam

Hi Adam,
Last year you posted the comments below; can you PM me with contact info for Mindtrain? Thanks very much. Scott sgrittinger@msn.com

quote:

Originally posted by kats:
Mindtrain is still around. I belive they make exhaust systems for other types of cars/trucks now. I spoke with Fred not too long ago. he had 2 sets of his famous glasspack exhaust systems left. I believe they have sold by now.

Fred is a very knowledgable and friendly guy. I learned a lot the few times I have spoken with him.

I have some contact info. if anyboby needs it.

Adam

Jeff, $1295 may sound like a good deal for a motor in today's dollars but in 1975 you could buy a home in southern California for $15,000. Just the year before Pantera were selling NEW for $11,000 at your nearest Lincoln dealer. $20,000 per year was a good income. That motor was just under a month's income.

A bunch of the Pantera project's insiders involved with DeTomaso in Italy (Ford employees, etc) founded Gran Turismo. They had the blessings of Ford & DeTomaso to create a line of aftermarket accessories for the Pantera that neither Ford nor DeTomaso had interest in developing or marketing themselves. Gran Turismo is the company that manufactured the chrome "nerf" bars that connected the front bumperettes, the luggage rack that mounted on the rear bonnet, and the complex, good looking, plastic front spoiler you'll still see on the occasional Pantera.

Mind Train's founder Fred Matsumoto was also the founder of Pantera International Car Club. He never took a publicly high profile position in the operation of the club or the newsletter, he assumed the role of "window monitor", while Eveline Blanchette performed the role of club president and newsletter editor.

For those interested in the Mind Train exhaust system, keep in mind the headers sold by PI Motorsports are identicle to the Mind Train headers. You'll be on your own manufacturing the tail pipes with quad glass packs however.

cowboy from hell