little red reset button

Your Pantera must be a '73-up. When you attempt to start it, if the engine doesn't fire at first, that button resets the ignition switch. Of course, twisting the key back to 'off' then to 'on does the same thing....

This "lovely" device, added to later Panteras, is as Jack describes. Appraently, a switch in the driver's seat senses your presence, sends a signal to a box under the dash.

I guess to keep the car from being started without sitting in the seat. I discussed is with Mike Drew at this weeks club meeting, and neither of us have actually seen this system function correctly.

I believe if "things somehow fail", you get out, press the inter-lock button, sit, and attempt to restart.
(While the train bears down on you !)
Chuck

My recollection of them is that they were a "starter interlock device" mandated in cars of early 70 vintage. The cars were not supposed to start unless there was a passenger in the driver seat and the seat belt was connected. I worked on the Ford assembly line during that period and remember having to test them somehow. The idea was that the car wouldn't start without the seatbelt fastened but they wanted to have an override switch in case the system failed it wouldn't leave you stranded, but they wanted it up front under the hood so that it couldn't be bypassed without getting out of the car, raising the hood, pushing the button, etc., etc.

My electric guy eliminated that switch when we did the restoration

Gary #06984