Hi folks. Just posting up here as a new member to the forums. I've been digging around looking for information on resolving some of the issues with my Pantera.
This is the car I purchased: https://bringatrailer.com/list...detomaso-pantera-18/
VIN: THPNNU05253
It joins my garage next to my 2010 Shelby GT500 and my 2016 Focus RS, though the Pantera makes the biggest impression by far when I have it out. It's got an evil lope, sounds amazing, and I can work with the modifications that's already been done to the car. It's by no mean's the Pantera "purist" car, but I absolutely love driving it.
My first issues to resolve are:
1. The "upgraded" brakes are actually single piston floats on all four corners. I'm not sure how these qualified as an upgrade. There is no parking brake on the car at all. The entire assembly was gutted when the stainless water lines were installed. This is being corrected with no small amount of urgency using a set of Wilwood four piston calipers on all four corners and an electronic parking brake.
2. I'm adding electric power steering. Being 6' tall and having to fold up like an origami swan to drive the car makes it a bit of a bear to turn at low speed with just the "armstrong" steering it currently has.
3. The EFI system on the 383 stroker is in serious need of help, as it burns really rich and consumes a lot of gas. It uses a circa-2004 FAST EFI ECU and I'm probably going to end up having to replace it with something else.
4. I need to tinker with the seating in the car to try to get the driver's seet a bit lower. I may end up replacing the seats entirely.
5. I need to chase down some relatively minor electrical bugs, such as the rear tail lights behaving somewhat wonky when you apply the brakes. The brakes light up, but the reverse light and turn signal light wants to shine rather dimly as well.
6. The oil pan leaks a little bit. New gaskets and studs coming for that as well.
Aside from that, the majority of the heavy lifting has already been done. The body is straight, there's no rust or major damage and aside from the questionable choice of the panthers silhouetted on the rockers and rear end of the car along with some paint chips here and there, it's a really good looking piece.
