Hideous Butchery

The other great thing about owning a Pantera is that it can and should be driven regularly. However, with a rare and special car that is like a work of art, you are only a custodian and should treat it with some respect so that future generations can inherit and enjoy it. You would not use your Rembrandt for a doormat, and in the same way I think it is morally objectionable to gratuitously mistreat your Pantera. As an example, have a look at this GT5 in Spain:

Peter,

So glad that you have finally learned how to express your feelings. All those years of therapy have paid off! I agree with you of course although the first car looks (to me) like the owner was tring to copy the Group 5 race car (not the GT5). Glad to see you're alive and (hopefully) well.

Mark

I know it'll just be me, but my mind immediately went to the Sikorsky S-58T ... probably the air intakes ... I am curious where all the air goes after it enters the hood of the car ... maybe ducted to the front discs, or perhaps just keeps the battery cool?


but seriously, you guys are never satisfied ... It doesn't have a delta wing, why aren't you praising it for that!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Charlton:
Peter,

So glad that you have finally learned how to express your feelings. All those years of therapy have paid off!

Mark

It was not so much a product of the therapy (that's reserved for my uncontrollable hostility toward left lane hogs) as it was the result of working on the 9000 series registry until 1:00 am and seeing one too many cars either debauched or abused. What capped it was a certain well-known gentleman in Paris (who purports to represent our marque in France) with a collection of several De Tomasos that he acquired new or in pristine condition and has completely rat-bagged most or all of them. I guess I just needed to share my pain.

"some things are best left to the Italians"

quote:

Originally posted by Peter H:
The great thing about Pantera ownership is that we can modify our cars to suit our personal preferences without reducing their value. However, past a certain point, you have to ask yourself if it is actually a Pantera you want. The Swiss car in the attached photo is, in my opinion, an insult to Tom Tjaarda. The owner could have cut up a Fiero instead, or just bought a kit car if they wanted to express their lack of any aesthetic sense. Why they had to butcher a beautiful and rare classic is beyond me. Looking at this photo makes me want to weep. Or vomit. Or both.

Peter,

I will respectfully disagree that you can modify a Pantera as pictured in your example and not reduce the car's value. I feel that you would be selling this highly modified car to a very limited market. This example would bring much less than had it not been so dramatically altered from Tom T's original design.

I am also of the opinion that such modified cars have negatively impacted the market perception of Panteras in general and suppressed their values. Exceptions being the strong prices now being seen for original un molested examples. But for such low production combined with incomparable styling and performance these cars should easily bring six figures.

As long as these highly modified styling exercises continue,combined with cross manufacture engines, Pantera values will continue to languish as a perceived hot-rodded kit car to the vast majority of car enthusiasts.

My 2 cents now worth 1.
Jeff

Jeff:

I totally agree. I was referring to modifications that are in keeping with the spirit of the original design and well done, as contrasted with over-the-top nightmares like the one pictured. I should have been more clear.

- Peter

quote:

"some things are best left to the Italians"

A good example of this is the Citroen. LOL the SM is so ugly it cool

That ugly first photo is simply that. Ugly. Regardless of what the owner was trying to emulate. I was never a big fan of how those Group 5 race cars looked.

On the other hand, although Jeff is right, that the mods most Pantera owners make to their cars has likely prevented its rise in the ranks of "collectible" the Pantera has always been lusted after by a special type of owner.

The cars don't deserve to be left to sit. Even in a beautiful, temperature and humidity controlled museum garage. They were made to tear up the roads, get nicked and dinged amid the screams and laughter of their owners.

Hence most owners modified them to take a beating, rather then conform to a pedigree.

I still love the chrome trim and tall tires. I went through a phase in the 80s where I wanted to modernize the car. My Mom encouraged me to keep it original and I am glad I did. On the other hand I have a Raptor that I have modified a great deal to run harder off road. To each his own.

quote:

Originally posted by Java:
I still love the chrome trim and tall tires. I went through a phase in the 80s where I wanted to modernize the car. My Mom encouraged me to keep it original and I am glad I did. On the other hand I have a Raptor that I have modified a great deal to run harder off road. To each his own.

Being a new Pantera owner who hasn't even got his car yet Its due in from new york to England in around 3 weeks, I am amazed at the number of US cars that are modified, some blokes are chasing horsepower, and some, bodywork to suit them. But the money spent must be colossal when you view the cars that have been modified in so many different ways. Initially I thought it must be because its a "cheaper" Italian stallion, and the power unit being far easier to improve in the USA than in Europe, personally I like the original one and wouldn't wish to get more horses in there or wider wheels, I haven't the ability to drive its standard horses so there for me would be no point.


But I never see other more expensive cars made into dare I say Hot Rods as the subject of this post certainly looks, so what is the reason for Modifying what was a fine car in the first place? I honestly don't know, do you.

I think it depends on the car and the owners personal taste.
The Pantera that I am going to build for myself has a fantastic body, all except for the wheel arches. Some wonderboy with a sledge hammer and a 5gal tub of bondo did their best to make fender flares.
At this point it only makes sense to take a Saws All and remove their lovely art work. I might as well weld in some Group 4 style flares with a little custom work to fit some 20" HRE's. Add a little brake duct work to them and call it my own. Somebody somewhere is bound to be pissed at me, I guess I will just have to live with that.
However, I have to agree that the car in the post looks terrible. Hope he has a good excuse like maybe he salvaged a totaled car or something. Never mind, he will need a better excuse than that

Why modify? It can be better mechanically. Modernized like a new car. In the 90s and early 2000s modified Panteras could best the latest the manufactures had to offer at track events such as Pocono. Awesome fun. And, for a fraction of the cost.

quote:

Originally posted by JTpantera:
Why modify? It can be better mechanically. Modernized like a new car. In the 90s and early 2000s modified Panteras could best the latest the manufactures had to offer at track events such as Pocono. Awesome fun. And, for a fraction of the cost.

I agree upgrades to some systems and looks but I leave the basic design alone because it is so wonderful.
Hey JT is that the Houston car I saw at your house that you were sanding getting ready for paint? Nice color( Joe in FL) btw just added a 2014 Mazda Grand Touring 6 to my collection for my wife.

Joe, the same car. Finally finished the sanding. Happy Holiday and thanks for the Christmas card!
Congrats on the Mazda, you guys celebrate big.