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1) That's wrong on so many levels (GM Base, Automatic, horizontally mounted radio, possibly a working A/C).
2) On the plus side, imitation is not only flattery, but usually an indicator that the original is heading out of reach (e.g. of the 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs made, at least 3,000 are still on the road). I'd love to know how much it sells for (if it's being sold).
3) Another bonus is he didn't build it on an old VW Bug base. And, it looks like a real deTomaso logo on the key ring.
Thanks for sharing that - as disturbing as it was ;-)
2) On the plus side, imitation is not only flattery, but usually an indicator that the original is heading out of reach (e.g. of the 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs made, at least 3,000 are still on the road). I'd love to know how much it sells for (if it's being sold).
3) Another bonus is he didn't build it on an old VW Bug base. And, it looks like a real deTomaso logo on the key ring.
Thanks for sharing that - as disturbing as it was ;-)
WHY???? I'll never understand these things!!
I know. Who'd put an LT1 in a Pantera! 
Wow. What a waste of a "good" 85 Fiero GT. Not that I would ever buy a Fireo GT, but if I had to chose between a nice one and a "Pantero", I would NOT choose the later. Bleach 
my favorite quote from the narrative:
"this car has 2 functional scoops where deTomaso put the grilles. I just kinda like scoops..."
"this car has 2 functional scoops where deTomaso put the grilles. I just kinda like scoops..."
I don't like the name Pantero, sounds like some sort of made up food at a cheap pizza joint.
I'd go with Fientera!
Anyone second the motion?
Of course we'd all know it wasn't a real Pantera the minute we discovered that the AC worked.
I'd go with Fientera!
Anyone second the motion?
Of course we'd all know it wasn't a real Pantera the minute we discovered that the AC worked.
love that interior...
Actually Russ is correct that we should be flattered. This guy spent hundreds and hundreds of hours to create this. He could have done something different with his time. He had a thread where he documented his progress:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/043414.html
-William 3331
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/043414.html
-William 3331
Thanks for the link William! It looks like the panels will be sold for $4K ... and he's talking about building GT5 air dam, flares and delta wing - the guy's busy, and there's appears to have been quite a group following the project - I guess the next time someone asks me if mine is a kit built on a Fiero, I won't react with the "I can't imagine anyone doing that" - obviously someone has, and he's got people lined up to buy kits.
More competition to drive up the price of tail-lights I guess.
More competition to drive up the price of tail-lights I guess.
Great idea!
My cat is opened manually (no lifts), and has a wing, so one of these day's I'm gonna pull a muscle.
Found these guys who sell actuators that range from 4" lift up to 40" lift, and up to 400lbs of force...
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_info.php?cPath=77&products_id=55
You can select based on force, stroke, speed...
The actuators aren't that pricey (well, that's a relative comment and depends on the factors above), but it probably starts to add up when you buy the electrics (switches, wires, relays, remote?) and then your time to mess with it.
At the end of the day, you're probably looking at $300-$500 depending on how you execute.
My cat is opened manually (no lifts), and has a wing, so one of these day's I'm gonna pull a muscle.
Found these guys who sell actuators that range from 4" lift up to 40" lift, and up to 400lbs of force...
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_info.php?cPath=77&products_id=55
You can select based on force, stroke, speed...
The actuators aren't that pricey (well, that's a relative comment and depends on the factors above), but it probably starts to add up when you buy the electrics (switches, wires, relays, remote?) and then your time to mess with it.
At the end of the day, you're probably looking at $300-$500 depending on how you execute.
I love the nice solid chunk sound when he shuts the door!!!
With all due respect for the craftmanship, ingenuity and patience this guy has: I felt sick to my stomach looking at it. Don't you get that feeling sometimes, when you see so much time and money spent on the wrong project? Why didn't he drive his normal Fiero, and buy a basket case Pantera and fix it? I'm sure he could have ended up with a great result.
quote:Originally posted by No Quarter:
With all due respect for the craftmanship, ingenuity and patience this guy has: I felt sick to my stomach looking at it. Don't you get that feeling sometimes, when you see so much time and money spent on the wrong project? Why didn't he drive his normal Fiero, and buy a basket case Pantera and fix it? I'm sure he could have ended up with a great result.
Couldn't agree with you more Mikael, however:
1. Its not my time.
2. I'm curious to see how this thing will end up once complete.
3. It entertaining watching the progress and craftsmanship.
-William (Ok, so I'm selfish)
I'd add to the list of 'Why?' with Maybe he sees a business opportunity here. With about 350K Fieros built from '84 to '88, there's bound to be a load of 'em still out there for people to 'convert' to one kit or another. This guy has created a 'Pantera' kit and time will tell whether he makes some money at it - when the last real Panteras are in museums, there will probably still be 10K Fienteras ;-) driving around with hot-rodded engines in the back.
As Michael said on the realbig mailing list - when you pull into a gas station and someone asks if it's a kit, you can now say ""No man this is a real one" and smile" - kinda nasty, they probably will be too embarrassed from that first mistake to ask the next question on their mind - a real what???
Over the summer I overheard a couple of people talking to each other at car shows I was at with the 'expert' telling his buddy (or his son in one case) that it's a kit car based on a Fiero - I kindly set them straight.
:-)
As Michael said on the realbig mailing list - when you pull into a gas station and someone asks if it's a kit, you can now say ""No man this is a real one" and smile" - kinda nasty, they probably will be too embarrassed from that first mistake to ask the next question on their mind - a real what???
Over the summer I overheard a couple of people talking to each other at car shows I was at with the 'expert' telling his buddy (or his son in one case) that it's a kit car based on a Fiero - I kindly set them straight.
:-)