GT5 or GTS?

quote:

Originally posted by DeTom:
OK, since I am a newb here I am allowed at least one really stupid question. Here goes. I have a 73 model that was an Italian car. IT is number 4903. Here is my question. It says it is a GT something and I can't really tell if the next charecter is a 5 or if it is an S. It looks like it could be either one. How can I tell which one it is. I have a picture of it that i will try and attach. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

The GT5 models didn't go into production until the 1980's, they had large flared wheel arches and the super wide 10 spoke Campy wheels.

Euro GTS models were first offered in 1973.

Curiously, this car has US spec side marker lights.

George

The US spec side marker lights were probably added afterwards during importation to conform to US standards.

It is definitely not a GT-5. It more than likely is a European GTS. The roof mounted antenna is also a European feature. Also I believe there is no difference between the GT5 and GTS nameplate. The car would distinguish what the last character was intended to be.

quote:

Originally posted by PANTERA1580:
The US spec side marker lights were probably added afterwards during importation to conform to US standards.

It is definitely not a GT-5. It more than likely is a European GTS. The roof mounted antenna is also a European feature. Also I believe there is no difference between the GT5 and GTS nameplate. The car would distinguish what the last character was intended to be.

Thanks I appreciate the informative answer. Next time I renew my cutom tags I will have to change it from GT-5 to GTS. I feel like such a moron. Thanks again.

It's a GTS. GT-5 Serial Numbers started at 9000 from my under standing and went to 9300.

quote:

Originally posted by Coz:
It's a GTS. GT-5 Serial Numbers started at 9000 from my under standing and went to 9300.

Thanks. I am 4903 so that puts me way down the list then.
It sounds like they built about ten thousand of these cars. I imagine most of them are still around, because if they get wrecked or broken people will always fix it. I am glad to know there are maybe ten thousand Pantera owners world wide. It means someone will always make parts for them.

GTS is a model designator, in Europe a "GTS" could have received upgraded brakes, and other performance features. Sometimes all a GTS got was a higher price tag to go with the emblems. (grin)

In the USA an "official" GTS was only a trim package, as the DOT saw it as a new model and required crash testing, and re-certification etc... which DeTomaso and Ford declined, so the USA GTS cars were "cosmetic" upgrades. USA cars do have "GT" in the VIN. (THGTXX0NNNN)

See my "GTS" post earlier for a link to USA details.

Chuck

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Melton:
GTS is a model designator, in Europe a "GTS" could have received upgraded brakes, and other performance features. Sometimes all a GTS got was a higher price tag to go with the emblems. (grin)

In the USA an "official" GTS was only a trim package, as the DOT saw it as a new model and required crash testing, and re-certification etc... which DeTomaso and Ford declined, so the USA GTS cars were "cosmetic" upgrades. USA cars do have "GT" in the VIN. (THGTXX0NNNN)

See my "GTS" post earlier for a link to USA details.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. I saw your ealier post and that is what made me curious, because mine is a eropeon car for sure. Like I posted to you before all the gages are in metric and yes it does say benzia instead of gas. I guess I didn't know my brakes were upgraded because I have nothing to compare it to. My car didn't come with side view mirrors either, I had to add those. I guess the story is an Italian guy bought the car new and after a year he figured he didn't like it. He sold it to a fellow in NY who owned the car for over twenty years. I can tell by what he did, this guy really loved the car. The guy who owned it just before me, didn't love the car. For him it was just a way to impress people and nothing more. I rescued the car from this cad by buying it from him while he was getting divorced. I have tried to undo some of the damage done by neglect, but alsa, I only posses so much skill and tools. I just put a brand new motor in it because a timing accident caused a rod to go through the old one.