Kingston Pics

Well, it was certainly a fantastic weekend! Old friends reacquainted and new ones made.

It was nice to catch up with everyone and see how they have changed their cars. Michel's in particular looks a LOT better now that it sits on it's wheels and not it's roof! He added crisp new fenders and an awesome combination of a Revson spoiler along with Kirk's cool short front bumpers. One of the nicest combinations I've seen grace the front of a Pantera.

Of course, dinner at the River Mill restaurant in Kingston was as great as always. Plus, we get premier parking along the river.

The local kids followed us in and spend tons of time checking out every single car. When asked which one they would take home (if they could drive..), the choice was an easy one: David's spectacular GT5 won (greasy little) hands-down.

Meanwhile, we spent the time getting our fill of great food and great conversations.

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a continuation of the day's conversations about the size of various parts in Will's engine compartment...

Sunday morning we all took a nice drive along clear country roads to our usual brunch destination at the marina. Of course we had to stop along the way and admire the incredible beauty we were inflicting on the local area.

Then David felt maybe he should let someone else take the lead for a change and scooted to the back of the lineup.

At the marina we decided to change the car positioning from last year and thanks to Russ, we found a great spot to display the cars.

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I never noticed Will's mirror warning notice before, but having been behind him often enough, I can say it is TRUE!

But eventually we all had to start heading home and we hit the road in two groups. One headed west, and ours headed east.

We had six Panteras and a Mangusta in our group and as always, the cameras in neighboring cars were trying to catch all the action.

including Gaetan's awesome Group4 custom.

As usual, we split again to head home to Montreal (David, Michel and Gaetan) while the rest of us (Andy, John, Denis and myself) headed to Ottawa.

And as all good things must come to an end, so did the day's fun.

Andy (Lamb One) took the lead as we headed towards Ottawa.

Followed closely (at a safe distance and legal speed...) by John (Fox One) and Denis (the Snake Eater)... and then me (Idiot One)

We weren't worried at all when we blew past a speed trap because we were all doing less than 10 kph over the 100 kph (62 mph) limit. I guess Officer "Dick` Head" and his partner were having a slow day because a hot pursuit ensued.

Unfortunately, the target was our lack of front license plates (which should amuse the scores of people we have bragged to over the years).

John and Denis were able to escape, but Officer Head managed to apprehend Andy and me. Astoundingly, not 24 hours earlier, Andy had been given a warning by another cop and STILL got a ticket. Apparently Officer Head figured that he should have had no trouble finding a bracket for his 37 year-old Italian car on a Saturday in a tourist town. Aaargh.

But, from all tragedy comes some good.

Andy and I (at a combine cost of about $230.00) were able to hold off the fuzz until John (fugitive at large) escaped to a safe distance and Denis was able to pull off a mile or so down the road to quickly install his front plate so as to avoid further trouble.

We all made it home a short while later with no further issues.

Again, thanks to David B for all his incredible efforts to organize, book the hotels, restaurants, parking and cover many of the hidden costs of the weekend.

Thanks also to those of you who were able to and did make the effort to come, especially Ron and Pete who crossed international borders to take part, as well as Denis who took his beautiful Mangusta on a pretty long road trip only a day after replacing the clutch. It was great meeting some new owners: Jack (bought Ross's yellow '71), Joe (very cool looking yellow GTS) and some others who have owned Panteras for a long time: Gaetan (red Group4), Domenic (who bought his Pantera NEW in 1971!) and Romano (who along with Pete, had to suffer driving a Ferrari to the event )

All-in-all one of the most amazing weekends I've had all summer. Thanks guys!

Mark

Wow. I continue to review these pix in a near-speechless tone ... so I just have to say, guys:

One of the things that has impressed me about this turn-out is the high esteem (reverence?) that the Mangusta has been held in ...

I cannot say that the experience with PEOPLE should be overlooked; but to see how some highly respected Cats have stepped aside for the Goose (that pre-dated them) to ascend ... well, it's enough to bring a tear to the eye.

EA
#3528

Jonathan,

When did you put the wing on the back of your Pantera? I think it looks great! In my opinion, the delta wing looks best on a GT5, it balances the car out perfectly.

Any plans to do wheels?

Michael

Michael,

We really missed you this year. I hope you can hook up with Ron as I gave him something for you. He might mail it if you don't connect. Let me know when you get bored of you car and I'll come pick it up.

Erik: Don't get too weepy over the Goose status. We just made Denis feel special so he would pick up our beer tab. It didn't work, so next year he'll be parked in the back, behind the barn.

Mark

A great time, thanks to all for attending and especially to Mark and David for all the setup work and making such a fun event.
Really enjoyed it this year, even with the interruption by the donut-eating, inbred, short-bus escapee, RCMP dropout.

... don't get me started on what I really think...

thanks everyone for a great weekend! great job david and mark! i cant wait till next year.

Wayne, check out your fly by at 2:03 on this video of the drive to the Marina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XCQ2OQmhg0

Turn the sound up!

See the other videos here:

http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...60057284/m/909109272

Awesome Weekend Everyone! Thanks David and Mark for a great event!

Hey Michael,
Too bad you couldnt make it out this year, lol i didnt have a clubbing partner! I put the wing on last month, i agree it suits the wide body car perfectly. Nope i plan to keep the wheels the same, just looking for front tires. Any plans for your car?

David & Mark .. thanks for having me .. The rest of Guys and Gals .. truely a memorable couple of days .. well worth the trip .. and great pictures ... See you all next year, and I will try to get a few NYers to follow me up.

Mark could I have a email copy of the group photo for my Wall Photos.

Thanks Ron

It was a pleasure seeing all of you again, meeting the new owners and the first timers.

Bohdan, the security guard behind you is asking himself: 'where did you get that kart?'

Super job detailling Denis

cool pic

Wayne: 'Gentlement! START YOUR ENGINES'

Ron's awesome GTS. Note the red light below the left side of the bumper, this light is used to warn left lane incoming vehicules in Europe

Upside Up! A super thanks to Michel Pelletier from John Scotti's Exotics for his expertise as a Master Restorer.

(Un gros merci Michel Pelletier pour ton expertise et ton talent dans la réalisation de cette Pantera)

Ok Russ, where are your pics???

Very Very bummed I couldn't make it!! Spent all morning looking at the pics and vids. What a great group of cars and folks. The group picture looks more like a family shot than a car owner gathering.

Hope remains for next year..

Thanks for sharing!!

So, there we were all lined up and ready to start taking photos of the cats, when all of a sudden someone queued the Volvo with a red canoe to join us ...

I thought, what a great idea, so I strapped one onto my car too (the delta wing makes for a great tie-down spot eh?) ...

Seriously though, it was a fantastic weekend, the weather couldn't have been any better, and everything went smoothly from start to finish, kudos to David and team for the organization - and of course thanks to Mark for the poster and Calendar!

I'll post my video clips when I've had a chance to do some editing, but here's a few of my snapshots (hopefully not too many overlap with the great shots already posted by David, Mark, Michel et al) ...

Mangustaaaah!