One Owner Car?

Harry, in Minnesota, still owns his car from new.
A yellow 72 purchased January 24, 1973. You have to be an optimist to buy a Pantera in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Harry's car is all original, un-restored, and in excellent condition. So it's 36 years of Pantera motoring for Harry. I've only owned my car for 30 years (just 8 payments left ). But then again, I was in High-school when the Pantera was introduced, and I don't remember any of my fellow students driving Panteras!
Harry and #2774 below.

Dave,

I think you killed this thread with the post about Harry's Pantera. LOL. I was hoping that there would be quite a few posts and interesting details before the "winner" posted.

I purchased my 1971 Pantera (#1490) new on January 27, 1972.

Anybody want to share info on their long time ownership?

Winner? Everyone who owns a Pantera is a winner!
And jeez, I really didn't mean to stamp a period on this thread.
There must be some more 20 to 30+ year owners out there????

There are two Mangustas in Hawaii. One is yellow and the other is orange. I met the owner of the Orange Mangusta and its a four headlight model. He told me he bought it new in 1969. At that time they could not sell it for the asking price of $12K and he picked it up for around $9,500. He has been driving it ever since. Ben

Here in Atlanta, Dick Koch is an original owner. It is far from a survivor………………
Twin turbo with 750 + HP. It is a beast !

The story of Dick’s car http://www.panteraplace.com/page33.htm

Mike

Speaking of Dick Koch, what ever happened to the rear upright roller bearing system that he designed?

Cool idea about finding original Pantera owners. My car was a one-owner when I got it in 2007.

The original gentleman was in Michigan, had traded a TVR toward an Olds 442, but missed having a sports car. His mind drifted toward the Pantera, and in 1974 went to his local Flint Michigan Lincoln dealership to get a silver one. "None left, and none coming either" was the reply, "but we just got this one..."

And there sat #7059 in a color he'd not seen before: dark green. After some negotiations, the Cutlass was traded in and the Pantera driven off.

In 1983, after 23,000 miles in 9 years, the gas tank was leaking. The engineer-owner decided it'd be a 'fun' winter project. Engine was pulled, tank removed and sealed. After the engine was in, while reattaching the valve covers, he heard a sickening 'plink, plink'.

He'd dropped a screw in the spark plug hole. After hours of frustrating non-retrieval, followed by a couple more fruitless efforts, he was disgusted. He pulled the wheels and tires, draped a cover on it, and left it for 13 years.

By 2007, an invention had come about to ease his disgust. An ambitious young man heard the story, decided to 'rescue' this near forgotten car, and brought a boroscope with him. In 10 minutes, he found the screw hiding on a ledge for all those years. Soon, the car got buttoned back up, brought back to life, and that's when I got it.

Can't wait to hear the other stories.

quote:

Originally posted by jb1490:
Speaking of Dick Koch, what ever happened to the rear upright roller bearing system that he designed?

Dick has a set on his car and I have them on my car. He couldn’t find a way to produce them for production so ours are the only ones. They have worked great so far.

Mike

quote:
Originally posted by jb1490:
Speaking of Dick Koch, what ever happened to the rear upright roller bearing system that he designed?


Are there any drawings or parts lists of what has to be done to reproduce the tapered bearing install so others may attempt it??

Most of the Vendors offer tapered roller conversion. If you want to take it on yourself, you must be willing and able to machine some fairly close tolerance parts. I have a series of 4 POCA articles discussing conversion I can post or send if interested.

Best Regards,
Kelly