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hi everyone, i'm new to this pantera forum. i just had a few basic questions that maybe some of you could help me out with. i guess you could say that i just took over ownership of my dad's '73 pantera. it has been in the family for almost as long as i have. the only problem is is that its been sitting in the garage since 1987 and hasn't moved. i know that it needs seats w/ brackets, tires and a couple smaller things to get it runnning. although it's been sitting for almost 20 years now it has had the moter completely rebuilt, new clutch, new headers, exhaust and a few other things. does any body have any suggestions on what else i might need to do to get this car going? i'm assuming i will need brakes as well. i'm a college student so i don't have a lot of money to spare yet i'm hopeing to get this done by spring/summer. if anybody on here knows a good place to look for parts or if any of you have what i'm looking for please let me know. thanks


-brad
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Hi Brad, welcome aboard, and welcome to the community of Pantera owners. I'm very happy to have you with us.

The rubber parts of the car are going to be the ones to focus on, the first being the tires, 20 year old tires are dangerous. Next is the rubber parts of the brakes, the flexible brake lines, the master cylinder internals, and the caliper seals. The brake system needs to be thouroughly flushed, the calipers rebuilt, the master cylinder rebuilt or replaced. The clutch actuating system is also hydraulic, so theres a master cylinder & slave cylinder associated with that system as well. Although it is not a rubber part, I would suggest replacing the 20 year old battery too.

Other rubber parts include the fuel lines, the cooling system hoses, fan belts (if they weren't already replaced). There is a very pesky cooling system hose inside the console in the passenger compartment, replacing it should be considered mandatory, because if it should give out when you are driving the car, the results can be dangerous. It fills the cockpit with steam, so you can't see where you're going, and it can direct steam right at the foot pedals making it impossible to keep your foot on the brake pedal without scalding your foot.

After that I suggest replacing the fluids, such as the coolant (you'll have to drain it to replace the hoses anyway) and the trans fluid.

There is an active Pantera club in your state, the Jersey Panteras, the president is the moderator of this bulletin board, Mark DeCasien, they would be good people to hook up with.

Finally, if you or your father aren't already members of Pantera International Car Club, I'd like to invite you to join, I'll offer you the President's new member discount for students, $65 instead of the usual $75. This will bring our quarterly magazine to your door, and the membership is good for discounts on parts from PI Motorsports.

George
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