Hello...

Welcome Joe! Great to have you here. I have a 66 GT Mustang (GT350 clone) project that I disassembled then lost interest in (got discouraged actually). The car sat for 11 or 12 years in my garage, on jack stands, and became a storage shelf or all kinds of crap. Then one day I was admiring some vintage Mustangs online thinking I'd love to have one, or one that could easily be restored, when I realized I ALREADY have one! It was just a matter of finishing what I started.

So, create a punch list of things to be done, and make a point to knock something off the list each week. In no time at all you'll be amazed at how far you've come.

Here's my recent Pantera engine rebuild adventure (need to update this, but scroll down to see what I've been doing on my 6 year Pantera engine rebuild project)
https://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/adventures.htm

Welcome again Joe.

Good luck with your Pantera, we all gather here to help each other. You'll find lots of help here. You're only 1 state away from Bill! He's a great guy.

Now lets get that car on the road so you can enjoy driving it!

-G

Joe,
Where are you in NC? There is a smattering of owners across the state.

Thanks guys,

I am near the cross roads of I95 and I40.

Mine is also being used as a storage shelf. only in the last month have I though about either selling or fixing so my first look under the shed was a shock. While I am embarresed to show the photos of its current "resting place", it is sort of fitting my mother has been using it to store used cemetary flower arrangements

Good luck - everyone here will be happy to help. The thrill of these cars is driving them. The rebuild will be an effort, but there is nothing like cruising around in a pack of "Cats", or hanging out with your brothers /sisters at a car show...

Maybe you should hook up with the local owners and just go to an event or two. That will boost your enthusiasm!

Rocky

There are a couple of owners in the Raleigh/Durham area. Hopefully they'll be in contact with you.

Wow, my work inspires some body, I'm humbled. Joe the good thing is these cars when built are worth something. My customer will probably have about 30 k in this restore. Money well spent! Garth has a good idea with the punch list. I have enjoyed working on this car. Usually I'm rushing to save customers money. I'm doing this project to the best of my ability. No matter what condition your car is in, it can be fixed!

From the POCA Mailing List - A great video by David Fisher...

Folks,

I tossed together an amateur tribute video now that I have discovered how much fun she is to drive. Thought you might enjoy it - or perhaps motivate those whose cars are still apart. Still much more to do, but I needed to stop and drive it for a while.

David


YouTube Video of Why You Want Your Car Back!

One word of advice I would give is not to try to make the best car in the world right off. Some people can do it, but for the rest of us it makes more sense to just get it running and roadworthy. And then as your ability and confidence grows then you can do more. Trying to take on too much at once will make you loose motivation fast. As Garth said create a punch list but don't go crazy with pipe dreams. Keep it simple stupid.

Nice insperational video Rocky!

I have been thinking on a punchlist. that is what had me start searching the net for what has been done by others and also to help me establish a budget. So far I have just been bookmarking websites.

Unfortunately, If I keep the car, my budget has to to minimum with the intent of getting the most drivable thrill factor for the money.

So far my internet search on building and owning a Pantera indicates that the mean income to do so my have exceed mine over the years

Joe -
Similar story here. I bought a car that was running, but when it came home, needed some work. Got that fixed after a bit, then drove it. One day I got an electrical issue and it sat for 5 years. I have finally gotten inspired and am working on it. Lots of help here.
I'm up in Richmond, VA, not that that is any help to you. :-) Cheers! We'll make it!

I would really appreaciate some advice in devolping a "punch list" that I could provide to a builder and in return get back something I would enjoying driving.

the wish list was revised 11/19/13

Do you plan on doing the work yourself? Do you intend to add the roll bar or is it existing? Sounds like the interior was gutted for racing. Is this the case? Good quality 180 degree headers run as much as $2k. By dual fuel cells does this mean you presently have a fuel cell? If so what is its present location?

I can not do the work, I will have to get some one to do it so that is why i want to get a detail punch list.

If you promise not to laugh or publicly ridicule me, here are a few shots I took about a month ago when I realized it had been 30 years and I needed to do something with this. These shots were the first time I had seen the car in that time, it kind of made me sick when I saw it, so there are just a few and nothing too detailed.










Ask how did this happen? This redneck got a real good job out of school and this was the first toy I got myself. Drove it as company car for a couple years, then decided I would refurb it. I had probably worked a month when I got a promotion that required extensive travel (and doing something I enjoyed). Next thing I know, 30 year have gone by (and my life got blindsided).

Like I have said in posting, I am TRYING to get enthused.

I’ve been think I wanted a reliable toy, nothing luxury but approaching race prep. Strip to metal, go back all surfaces painted, refresh engine and trans (maybe stroke engine), I want fuel injection, fuel cells, roll cage to stiffing body. Sparse interior (thinking no heat or AC), metal floor and doors, upgraded suspension, skid pad and modern head lights

I have been hearing 30-40K should get it done, but my gut thinks that is not going to happen. I am beginning to think ownership criteria of a Pantera might have exceeded my current status .

Your punch list indicated you want a weekend cruiser with city driving capability but it sounds like you want more of a race car. I don't know how compatible the two will be. I highly recommend Ron McCall in Maryland for a restoration. One of the many obstacles will be getting your car in rolling condition for transport. I'm with you. 30 or 40k isn't probable. I think 40k just as a starting point IMHO. Of course it really depends on how much you want done. For instance, rebuild the existing parts or upgrade? Ron is working on my car now. If you're interested you can come see his handiwork when its done. I can understand your concern about getting enthused. From where your car stands now to getting it on the road is quite an undertaking in terms of time and money.

First, thanks for the comments. this is what I need.
I was not thinking of going high ouput with the engine so basically the race car look will be show for me, but should have the body so upgrading either for all out performance, or going comfort is possible for the next owner.

I am very flexable to changing the punch list as I get input and opinions. for example the 180 headers will proably be one of the first items removed (unless I'm convince it is a must have)

I have been in contact with a member here and hoping he will want the challange of working with me. I have contemplated calling Ron to discuss the transaxle but hoping I can have a "turn key" arrangement for the rebuild and let him deal with engine and transaxle

A possible negative outcome of these discussions is I go ahead and take my loss now and sell as parts. (I would hate for an estate auctioner sell it for scrap)

The more you can do (try and do) yourself, the cheaper this project will be, and the better you will know your car.

How about having the wheels blasted locally, and you stress relieve / clean / paint?

Certainly do all the parts inventory right off, and start just washing / cleaning / painting / sorting parts?

Getting the rear suspension parts blasted, and painted is certainly within you skill level.

I am no expert, but I redid my brakes with a little help from a friend at the final stages.

The longest journey begins with a single step!

Good luck!

Rocky

I wish I could...
for years I considered this would be my retirement project. But now with my health (and family's), even my involvement will be limited with some else doing it. (and I am years from when I planned on slowing down with work)

Having time to just open up the shed and take some photos was a challange.

I would say a major aspect of your decision process comes down to money.

So for example, you have two choices on the interior: a) Keep it stock with freshening up, or b) do a custom interior. If money is a factor (and you are sending this out to a shop to do it) then I suspect "a)" would be the best choice.

Same with the engine - your engine on the punch list soulds like a "dream engine" (fuel injection, stroker, bundle of snakes exhaust, oil cooler). Again, if cost is a concern, then maybe there are more affordable options. (I just saw a used, built highperformance 351C in Apache Junction for $1500).

I am in the process of building an engine now, I am trying to do as much as I can (with the help of friends, and the resources on this board), and is still pretty expensive. In my opinion, the motor you describe (built by someone) else is in the 12-15K range.

Anyway - good luck with your planning.

The other thing I have seen (at work, not on a project like this, but I think it applies) - that delivering a load of "unsorted" parts to someone else for you build will raise the cost significantly. You will be paying them (at shop rates) to arrange, sort, and clean, and in some cases, they may recommend it may be just as cheap to get a new one (when you ahve a servicable part) to save the labor on refurbishment.

Rocky

PS> What you really need is input from the couple of guys that have built cars in the last year, the Slick'em guy, Augustaboy, and there was another guy who built a car that the owner wanted to maintain it as very stock (snaponbob) to weigh in on this. Those guys could really help with giving you a "baseline", as well as make very good suggestions as regarding a project like yours.

all points are well taken.

for an engine that has been sitting for 30 years, should I expect that most of the rotating assembly (crank/rods/pistons) will need to replaced anyway. and more than likely the block will need the bores cleaned. If so, wouldn't going with a stroker kit be about the same cost?

I don't know what heads, valves, pistons or cam I now have as the story was when i bought it that "Crane" had built the engine for a turbocharger.

Now that I think about it, I need to get the engine/transaxle out to a shop before the body goes. Any one know the lenght and width so I can pick up some lumber for a pallet/box before I unwrap?

I have updated my wish list based upon the input recieved AND...with my google researching, I have discovered the Gr3s!

So again I'll ask for comments on the punch list since I plan to talk with a builder in the next few days

PM sent!

Ron