New member (considering a purchase) with lots of questions......

Here's the Merc, Factory Toploader car

Hey Tim,
Welcome to the forums! You'll find a ton of information and expert guidance here and on websites managed by owners.

I've had my car for 5 1/2 years now, and remember reviewing the Banzai Runner website before taking the plunge ... If I were back buying the car all over, I think the one thing I would have done differently is take up the offer to have someone look over a car for me. I was fortunate and the guy I bought from had full photo and receipt documentation of the restoration, and I'd done my research (as you are) to make sure I knew at a high level what to look for (common rust spots, electrical and mechanical gotchas etc.) ... but there's so much more to gain by having someone who's lived with one of these cars along to help you out.

Here's the website that helped me, and it has a link to Mike Dailey's excellent website (you need to bookmark them both, as well as others that he's pointed to) ...
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/how_to_buy.htm

Good luck in your search!

Welcome aboard Tim.

In regards to a buying guide, there was one that is long out of print; the Illustrated Pantera Buyer's Guide, published 1991.

I hope these forums will serve as your greatest resource both prior to your purchase and afterwards.

Unless you are capable of making the repairs yourself the two most expensive problems to repair are (1) body/chassis rust or (2) a ZF transaxle in bad order. The body/chassis rust is of course going to be a big issue in your part of the country.

The owners in the New England area and eastern Canada get together throughout the year, there shall be events and car shows for you to attend next year. Keep a look-out for them to be announced in the event announcement forum.

I speak with people from around the world regularly about buying or selling Panteras. If you ever need to talk to someone, you're invited to phone Pantera International.

Advice of a new owner (who looked at a few before I bought)...

Buy the absolute best car you can find. Little issues can have a way of turning into expensive projects. Big issues can cost big $$$.

There are a couple of cars for sale in AZ (I am not recommending them, I just saw them on Craigslist, give it a search)...

Rocky

Thank you guys....this is just what I needed. The one thing that I like is you guys are into the performance thing. I like stock looking cars that run like scalded dogs! A lot of Technology has changed since my Mustang days of the Late 1970's.....good aftermarket parts. And yes, I am aware that buying the right car will lead to a long ownership. I'm not afraid to hop on a plane. Thanks & more advise is appreciated. Tim

Tim

Welcome to the PI Forum. There is another Pantera forum that also has good insight sponsored by POCA. Register at

http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com

The Pantera community is rather unique with the effort owners put forth to help one another. It is likely that an owner in another town would be willing to inspect a car for you that is not in your locale.

Also, Chuck Melton has donated an incredible amount of time and effort in creating a registry at http://www.detomasoregistry.org/ This is a great resource for learning as well.

Thanks, I just registered at both places.

One thing I have learned when looking for the right car, do go inspect it in person, not all sellers describe things accurately nor does one persons idea of a perfect car match someone else's!

Yes, I know. The last car I bought, ran like crap. Really rare car but I made the mistake of sending him too much money down, I couldn't walk away from it. It's now getting corrected. I guess my conciliation is he lived with it that way for 15 years!!!!!

Thanks AZ, I appreciate the heads up. I am still in the learning stage. I am out of my element. I have never sat, let alone drove a Pantera. The closest I ever got to one was at Tony Branda's, when I was picking up parts for a Mustang. I just looked & maybe drooled on it, that was probably 1980. Nice to meet you, my name is Tim.

Hi Tim
Welcome to the forum.
If you have not seen this car yet (posted in for sale section) please give it strong consideration.

http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...0045562/m/6281008056

With respect, I challenge anyone to provide a better pantera at a better price

Hi Tim
Those that disagree, please chime in...

But in general, the later the model the better it is. The early ones, also known as pushbuttons due to the Renault 5 like door"handles" lacked a lot of brazings and stiffness. Later models were improved, Technical Service Bulletins were issued and included on new cars. On later models handling and amenities were improved.

There are some exceptions to this. First, as you may already have noticed, Pantera owners are crafty people, so many have updated their cars so they're as good as newer ones. Second, some later models had weak rear suspension attaching points, fellows, help me here.

Mine is a quite early model, but that's simply because I'm a sucker for beauty, and this model is the most beautiful IMHO.

Oh and BTW, buy a Longchamp. It's a musclecar that handles and has a great interior. Since getting my Longchamp, all my musclecars are sold or for sale

Tim, NOTHING beats actually seeing and hearing the beasts in action in their own habitat- the street, from stone-stock to fire-breathing 650+-bhp engine swaps. So before you write a check, consider attending the upcoming 33rd National Pantera Fun Rally in San Diego CA at the end of May (28-June 1). There will be over 125 Panteras of all models in attendance- none identical- and your eyes will be opened wide all the time!
Bring a camera; most owners will let you sit in their pride & joy, and some will either take you for a ride or let you drive their toys! There are also some cars that show up for sale and every owner will gladly talk about them. All the major DeTomaso parts vendors will be there as well. Did I mention the free bar? Bench-racing will be everywhere.

If you join the Pantera Owners Club of America (car ownership NOT required), you may even hook up with an owner driving in from your area or beyond and help with driving; we have crazy people everywhere who think nothing of a 3-day romp across the U.S or Canada for a 4-day party!
Contact [JPOCA2@hotmail.com] in CA for details on joining POCA and/or attending the 33rd Annual Fun Rally; again, membership or ownership NOT required- just enthusiasm!

Hi Quickitty....looks like a super nice car! How long have you had it?

Hi No Quarter, I agree, I dig the early cars. And, did you really have to have me research a longchamp........gee another damn something I want.....Thanks, Pal! They are gorgeous. LOL.

Bosswrench, Hi. Yes, I am free that week & I am going to attend. I am sure I will learn more that weekend than I can learn studying on the net for 6 months. Anybody smoke & need a Co-driver from Pittsburgh?????? I am serious. Thanks, Tim

Buy the best car you can. I would go to Le Belle Macchine d'Europa in the Poconos to look at Panteras and ask the owners what to look for in the cars. This is June 20 - June 23, 2014.

From my perspective, I would buy a car with an outstanding, rust free body. These cars are unit body steel built, and so the bodies that are rust free are not only stronger, but have a better value down the road. Repairing one that is rusted will cost you huge money unless you do all the work yourself for free. I have a friend of mine that loves doing metal work -- I liken it to a mental disease; but I digress.

First would be an excellent rust free body that the doors, and front and rear lids fit well. The next thing to look for is the transaxle -- this must not make noise and should shift smooth between all gears. If it doesn't -- that will cost you $4,000 as a ball park -- if you don't have many hard parts to throw at it. The engine is the least of your worries. Even though it takes someone who knows what they are doing with a Cleveland 351, those people are around and this will be the cheapest portion of a repair. Of course the electrical systems are fun on these cars as well -- but the body, transaxle, and engine are the big money pits on these things.

If you feel like buying airfare, look at Barrett Jackson and Russo and Steele for their auctions in Scottsdale, AZ, this January. Also, you might get lucky and find a Pantera at the Pavillions on saturday of the Barrett auction. I saw two cars last year at Russo, and the bodies were in excellent shape -- needed paint, but the bodies were great and the cars could've been driven as is as they weren't that bad. Plus I thought they went pretty reasonable given the condition of them.

Just don't buy the first one you see for sale -- unless you are with someone who REALLY knows these cars and can see what they are looking at. These cars are reasonable now, but I think that they are still an unknown that will be coming into their own in the near future and that means prices will rise when that happens. I think they are one of the biggest bargains out there right now.

Best of luck!!!

Mark