new 1521 project

congradulations! and welcome

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Originally posted by john jensen:
...(I) am open to suggestions.

Pilot's License!

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Originally posted by john jensen:
rear view

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Originally posted by john jensen:
profile

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hewland A box transaxle

I would like to know a little more about the transaxle. Please

Perhaps it was necessary to fit the wide rears?
Though more likely he had no original power train and started from there. Just speculating.

Man those rears look awesome. Reminds me of the 'pro-street' look that was popular in the late 80's - early 90's. Most of them were 13 second cars dressed as 8 second cars

All I know is that it is a Hewland "A" box with special low and reverse gear for town driving. I have been told that it was a transaxle used for formula one racing in the 70's -no idea if that is accurate. I believe Mr. Opie opted for this transaxle so that he could have the extra wide tires without need for external modification.

John,

I met Al Oppie at his shop around 1989. From your pictures it appears the car hasn’t changed much since then. So as far as “suggestions”, I would recommend changing out those Goodyear rain race tires (and any other rubber)! I don’t expect they were the most enjoyable tires for street driving, even back when they were ~30 years newer.

If you’re looking to maximize the market value, the trend seems to be toward keeping, or returning, our Panteras to mostly “stock”, or at least "stock appearing". But your car is certainly a time capsule that represents a different thinking about Panteras that was probably more “accepted” in the 80’s.

Chevy’s in Panteras will produce the predictable range of opinions and suggestions, but I thought it was a great car when I saw in in '89 … and as one man’s unique vision of the ultimate Pantera back in the 1980’s, I think it still stands up as an amazing car.

Congratulations on the purchase.

Dave

BTW, the Hewland wasn’t needed to fit the rear tires, but the suspension components and pick-up points were completely re-engineered by Mr. Oppie. It had (has?) much shorter upper a-arms and higher pick-up points.

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since then. So as far as “suggestions”,

The distributor is on the wrong end of the engine!



Anyway - good luck with the car - I agree, it's a time capsule. Aesthetically, though, maybe you want to get rid of the "plumber's tape" (the metal bracing with the regular holes), and see if there is a way to fab up more eye-pleasing bracketry to hold things in place?

Is it a dry sump motor?

Have fun with it.

Rocky

A CHEVY ? Heresy I say .. HERESY !!

Chevy yes - but a Yenko - you can just call it a Yenko if it eases the pain

it is a dry sump

I will be replacing the goodyears - any suggestions on a vintage tire store would be appreciated.

What size rims? Are you looking for performance tires? What size?

rims are 15 - current tire is 27x14 on 15 inch rim. Probably just a good road tire. I would like to get the same size tire to keep with the original idea but I do not know if I can even find them