Keep it 100% stock or make a few changes

If you have money to burn do whatever you like. The GT5Ss are exceptionally rare and have pulled in good money at auction. For the GT5Ss the closer to stock the better. Definitely keep the cats if you take them off. If you sell it put them back on.

If it is still actually all OEM original, I would keep it that way.

I feel compelled to note that through the years I have seen dozens of panteras advertised as “all original”, and it takes less than 20 seconds looking at photographs to see how incorrect that description truly is.

YMMV

Larry

@lf-tp2511 posted:

I feel compelled to note that through the years I have seen dozens of panteras advertised as “all original”, and it takes less than 20 seconds looking at photographs to see how incorrect that description truly is.

Very true.

Point taken.  In not knowing much about a GT5s until now, I am no expert.  Some people that have seen the car mention it is "all original" but I would not know the difference.  I do know the guy before me owned it since 1992 and did not drive it at all.  He bought it and just added it to his collect ion.  Time will tell but looking around the car, there are no performance modifications and the air box is a real PAIN.  Had to remove that to rebuild the carb.  Sharkey at Pantera of Miami said it was unmolested as for what he has seen in pictures so far.  Either way, it is a  blast.

Mike

I would also keep it stock. When my Pantera was listed, the seller said it was all original because he thought it was. I felt bad because he got a ton of emails about everything that wasn't stock on it because he honestly didn't know.

It had under 50k miles but so much had been changed on it. I bought it because it was a super nice car and a solid foundation that I don't feel bad about modifying to make it better.

Your car is a different animal and you should be psyched to own it.  Good luck with you Pantera, it sounds like an amazing car!

Oakster and all, thanks for the comments.  I no doubt will enjoy the car.  I want to represent it as truthfully as possible when people look at it.  Any and all information I can get is appreciated.  Thanks for being a part of the process.

Mike

What's the last 4 of the VIN? I'd be interested to know if its in the registry.

Hi Mike, Sharkey. We recently removed a set of ~fried~ cats off a 5-Steel. It was a firebomb waiting to happen. Clearly, the right bank can (muffler/cat) would glow red and achieve temperatures that would melt the paint and burn the car down simultaneously. At some point in it's life leaded fuel was added.  Doesn't take very much. When warmed up, at idle it was breathing actual flames out the right bank pipes, I posted a vid on facebook. Using one of your available lifts at your Mike Anderson Auto Group Dealership, raise the vehicle & check to see all original conversion bits from Amerisport are still in place & functional. Call me tomorrow if you don't know what to look for I'll guide you through. You'll have to do some welding on the headers where fresh air was initially introduced, just block 'em off.

Now in answer your question, the 5-Steel we did recently we cut the glowing hot cans off & welded on a set of Pantera Performance mufflers. We use a lot of 'em, they sound great and are not expensive. See their facebook page. Put the originals in a box for safe keeping. You have a beautiful car by the way, soon to be the nicest out there. I know.

Husker, 9421 is the vin on the car.  Sorry, have been traveling a bit.

Mike

Sharkey, will be back in town on Saturday.  Will go look under that car.  I have noticed some holes welded shut on the sides of the mufflers,  I will get pictures and get them too you.  Hope all is well in Miami, it was 10 degrees this morning in Kansas City.  I may need to come visit you soon................LOL

Regards

Mike

10 degrees WHOA! I'm a Pittsburgh Boy, born/raised, I well remember the Lake Erie lake effect cold. Talk soon...

Congrats on owning my favorite iteration of Pantera (in spite of the burlwood).

Personally I am a little sick of the smell that comes with catless, but the sound makes up for it. Possibly you could weld in a straight pipe, but then reinstall the heatshields. I may or may not have done that a long time ago in order to pass an inspection. Allegedly.

Its in the registry. Added in last year.

Husker, when I bought it I tried to get it in the registry.  Is it in  my name or someone else?  How do I find it?

Mike Anderson

The registry doesn't post who registered the car. I don't know if you're already a member but to be given access you have to register a De Tomaso. Any De Tomaso. You can even register just a VIN e.g. post a copy of a for sale ad, not even a recent one necessarily. However, the registration process of late has been very slow. The registry is voluntarily maintained and funded so just having it is very much appreciated. Since the pictures appear to be recent I doubt you'll see anything new. It does have the Amerisport # however.

Thanks for the information, glad it is registered.  It seems right that every Pantera should have the right to be registered.  It is part of the Automobile History for sure.

Mike

Mike, your car fits in BOTH Registries! Yes- there are two. The difficult-to-access one run by Chuck Melton in Sunnyvale, CA , and the easy-as-pie Registry for 9000-series cars (1980-up), of which your #9421 fits with all the other GT-5 and GT5-S cars. That registry is run by Peter H out of British Columbia, Canada. Congratulations on a nice looking machine.