Newbie here!
I currently own 2 1970 Boss 302 Mustangs. I'm considering selling one of the Bosses and purchasing a Pantera. I'll need some good advice before I make the switch.
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WELCOME!
You want advice? You will find plenty of it here. :-)
I joined this forum two years ago when I was looking for a Pantera. I was one of the lucky few that found the perfect Pantera located in my own back yard. Well, not literally in my back yard, I had to drive across town. But it wasn't the first one I looked at, and the advice given to me here probably saved me a gazillion dollars and a lot of tears.
My advice: buy the Pantera. You won't be sorry. Buy the best car you can afford, it will be cheaper in the long run. More specific advice will come from others, and they will be willing to answer all your questions. Or point you in the right direction to existing "how to buy a Pantera" materials.
- Robert
You want advice? You will find plenty of it here. :-)
I joined this forum two years ago when I was looking for a Pantera. I was one of the lucky few that found the perfect Pantera located in my own back yard. Well, not literally in my back yard, I had to drive across town. But it wasn't the first one I looked at, and the advice given to me here probably saved me a gazillion dollars and a lot of tears.
My advice: buy the Pantera. You won't be sorry. Buy the best car you can afford, it will be cheaper in the long run. More specific advice will come from others, and they will be willing to answer all your questions. Or point you in the right direction to existing "how to buy a Pantera" materials.
- Robert
Welcome to the Forums John B.
The Pantera world is a bit different than the Boss Mustang hobby, as I am sure by now you realize this. The Pantera is more about individualism. Beyond individualism, the second trait that makes for a successful ownership experience is passion for the car. You either have it or you don't. Passion makes it easy to put up with the trials of ownership. There is no such thing as a boring 351C 4V powered vehicle, and so it is easy to guarantee you ear to ear grins in owning a Pantera.
You'll find plenty of help here. Good Luck.
George
The Pantera world is a bit different than the Boss Mustang hobby, as I am sure by now you realize this. The Pantera is more about individualism. Beyond individualism, the second trait that makes for a successful ownership experience is passion for the car. You either have it or you don't. Passion makes it easy to put up with the trials of ownership. There is no such thing as a boring 351C 4V powered vehicle, and so it is easy to guarantee you ear to ear grins in owning a Pantera.
You'll find plenty of help here. Good Luck.
George
Welcome!
I have to echo George's sentiment. The Pantera is all about individualism. The Pantera community accepts and welcomes everything from bone stock to highly modified (although putting a Chevy motor in one is boarderline). The support through this bulletin board, the Pantera web and several members' websites is fantastic. As you get closer to your purchase, which of course you'll find you HAVE to make, let us know.
I have to echo George's sentiment. The Pantera is all about individualism. The Pantera community accepts and welcomes everything from bone stock to highly modified (although putting a Chevy motor in one is boarderline). The support through this bulletin board, the Pantera web and several members' websites is fantastic. As you get closer to your purchase, which of course you'll find you HAVE to make, let us know.
John B
Welcome to the group! I also was a previous Mustang owner. I had a 1966 Shelby GT350H that I loved to death, but it became much to costly to keep her up and to not enjoy driving her in fear that something would break. I traded the Shelby for my current Pantera, and I'm not regretting it at all. I've put more mile and have had more fun in the short few months with the Pantera that I had in the past 5 years with the Shelby. I strongly agree with George (Cowboy) these cars are what YOU make the to be, not like the Shelbys, where you can't change a thing on them in fear that they'll loose value. So from a former Mustang owner to another, take the plunge and get a Pantera. It'll be the most fun you'll have in a long time. Below is a picture of my old Shelby.
George
Welcome to the group! I also was a previous Mustang owner. I had a 1966 Shelby GT350H that I loved to death, but it became much to costly to keep her up and to not enjoy driving her in fear that something would break. I traded the Shelby for my current Pantera, and I'm not regretting it at all. I've put more mile and have had more fun in the short few months with the Pantera that I had in the past 5 years with the Shelby. I strongly agree with George (Cowboy) these cars are what YOU make the to be, not like the Shelbys, where you can't change a thing on them in fear that they'll loose value. So from a former Mustang owner to another, take the plunge and get a Pantera. It'll be the most fun you'll have in a long time. Below is a picture of my old Shelby.
George
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Thanks guys for all the kind words. I love my Boss Mustangs but I need something thats different. I've restored about 6 mustangs now and I'm getting burned out.George is right they are awesome cars but I never drive them. I got carried away and over restored them.It's hard to keep them at a gold standard.
I like the idea of the Pantera being something that I want it to be instead of what the rules say it should be.
I like the idea of the Pantera being something that I want it to be instead of what the rules say it should be.
I think that I remember someone (Barrett-Jackson announcer?) saying that Jay Leno liked to buy 100 point cars and then drive them down to a 70.
Johnny, you've come to the right place, as a recent Pantera buyer, I've found the information available to be fantastic, and the willing experts on the forums have made ownership a breeze. No wasting weeks on an electrical or mechanical problem, describe it here and you'll get an answer or at least suggestions on what to try next from somewhere in the world PDQ.
Here's a couple of sites many have found useful for when you start shopping ...
'Banzai Runner' - How To Buy a Pantera Guides
'Pantera Place' Buyers Guide
Both of the sites above are just the buyers guide pages from much larger and very well built sites which also have pages and pages of information on the care and maintenance of the Pantera, but these aren't the only two sites, just do some digging and you'll find a number of other great sites.
My advice ...
1) Read a few posts on each of the forums here
2) Post your questions
3) When you've come across a car you want to look at - ask if there's someone who will go with you to inspect it, very likely there is an owner nearby that would be happy for an excuse to look at another car. (If you come across a car that's on the other side of the country again, ask, there's a good chance you'll get someone to inspect it for you)
4) Read the documents I've linked to carefully, Panteras are fantastic cars, but many were built without much regard for rust protection. The inspection must be ruthless as there are horror stories of people who have bought 'rust free' cars only to strip them for new paint and discovered copious amounts of filler.
Looking forward to hearing more from you, the cat is a unique car, totally customizable to your own tastes and they turn heads wherever they go.
Welcome!
Here's a couple of sites many have found useful for when you start shopping ...
'Banzai Runner' - How To Buy a Pantera Guides
'Pantera Place' Buyers Guide
Both of the sites above are just the buyers guide pages from much larger and very well built sites which also have pages and pages of information on the care and maintenance of the Pantera, but these aren't the only two sites, just do some digging and you'll find a number of other great sites.
My advice ...
1) Read a few posts on each of the forums here
2) Post your questions
3) When you've come across a car you want to look at - ask if there's someone who will go with you to inspect it, very likely there is an owner nearby that would be happy for an excuse to look at another car. (If you come across a car that's on the other side of the country again, ask, there's a good chance you'll get someone to inspect it for you)
4) Read the documents I've linked to carefully, Panteras are fantastic cars, but many were built without much regard for rust protection. The inspection must be ruthless as there are horror stories of people who have bought 'rust free' cars only to strip them for new paint and discovered copious amounts of filler.
Looking forward to hearing more from you, the cat is a unique car, totally customizable to your own tastes and they turn heads wherever they go.
Welcome!
Hi Johnny B,
I too have had several Mustangs over the years (1966 K-code GT Fastback, 1966 GT350, 1969 428CJ Mach1) but love my Pantera way too much and have no plans on going back. The Pantera is a different kind of animal but it's a blast to drive and it get's way more attention than my 1966 Shelby ever did.
I too have had several Mustangs over the years (1966 K-code GT Fastback, 1966 GT350, 1969 428CJ Mach1) but love my Pantera way too much and have no plans on going back. The Pantera is a different kind of animal but it's a blast to drive and it get's way more attention than my 1966 Shelby ever did.
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The K-code GT fastback
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A little big block madness...
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But I still wouldn't trade my Pantera to get them back...
Just my $.02
Billy
#3382
Just my $.02
Billy
#3382
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Welcome to the forum Johnny! Who needs TWO Boss Mustangs anyway; you can only drive one at a time! Seriously, you will not regret buying a Pantera if you educate yourself and buy the right car, and then drive the wheels off of it!
Johnny, I PM'd you.