Pantera #5825 - what is wrong with this white 1973 GT5 Replica?

Hello Dave....How may I be of assistance? J/K

Discussed in this thread.
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2250045562/m/5110030794

The wheel arch is normal for this style. As for the front being higher and lower I would not make that judgement based on a picture...especially a white picture. Thats something that should be seen in person to verify. You could be correct but then again.....

HTH

Miles

BTW Welcome to the insanity

http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2290052674/m/2880062894

Forgot there is this thread too.

It's odd how people see different things. Some see the glass as half empty...

I personally don't see any issues with what I see in the pics. This is what these cars look like.
White does rub some people the wrong way. I like it. Also pictures magnify non existing issues.
Look at the car in person.

Hal, my inclination is that if this is how you feel about this Pantera, you never are going to own one or be satisfied.

None of these cars are perfect as far as equal seams, body fit, etc.

The reality is that is the nature of the beast.

"Buy it or watch it go by" was the caption in the old commercial. It does seem to be close to the truth to me.

These are passionite cars. If it doesn't turn you on, there is no sense in owning it in my view.

You may be looking for something that doesn't exist.

In most cases I would say that pictures tend to make cars look nicer. At least in the case of my car that is true.

Thanks for the input so far.

I am not complaining about "imperfections" I just wanted some seasoned opinions on whether or not this thing can drive straight or not
I am very tempted to get (this) one hence my reason to open up the debate before I waste a plane ticket from the east coast and back.

I have been passionate about Pantera's since I discovered them 19 years ago as a teenager.

Living in Denmark where there is a car tax of just around 180% on new and old cars (on top of factory prices and then comes 25% sales tax on top of that) just meant that I would not get one..... until now where I live in the US.

I had an old AC Cobra replica in the UK until last year that required constant upgrades so I know what life is like with a 30+ year old american V8 engine design in a special car.

Let's say that this car has been through a serious accident - is $36K then a good price tag or not?

Are you judging the straightness by photos alone? Photos will lie. You have to see it in person. If you believe it has been wrecked, and it has been disclosed, look at how bad the wreck was. Bad panel fit does not automatically mean wreck. Mine had some poor panel fit from a sloppy conversion and perhaps a maladjusted suspension.

If you have reason to believe it may have been wrecked get it on a lift and crawl around. Look for things being straightened, re-welded, over bondoed. I would even suggest looking over some one else's car first who know the history of their car so you can see what you should be looking for.

When cars came across ebay with 1028 photographs I often saved the photos for reference.

After 30+ years most these cars have a few stories!

Here is the way I look at it.

You can spend $36k on a nice stock looking car that needs a little here and a little there. Rims, engine rebuild, tranny, interior, cage, wheels, pretty soon you're at $50K.

You can spend $35K on this car that already has all that. It needs some body work and paint but if the repair was done well (maybe it was only a slight fender bender) you're into it for $40k-$45k. About the same in my book.

I think every car nut has a car in their past that just was a pile-o-crap but had a special place in our heart. Mine was a 1971 Mach 1 Mustang that was crunched in the rear, paint was fading, and was completely beyond my abilities to make it what I wanted at the time. But it was a great car. To me. My girlfriends thought it was crap. My best friends thought it was crap. But that didn't matter.

Bottom line is it worth $36k? Half the guys here will say Yes half will say No. Question is how bad does it do it for YOU? But if you buy it all of us will congratulate you and help you get it where you want it and welcome you to the insanity.

One thing you MUST do is have a Socal Pantera person look at it for you. There are people willing to do this. I would suggest that since its a big commitment from you I would talk to the person first and express your concerns and what specifically you want them to check.

Miles

those signal lights are not stock. Their placement was done after Modena, and who knows if they were level to begin with?

The fender issue could just be camera angle, and the wheel arches are again not stock wheelwells and only as good as the builder.

The front spoiler does show cracking, not too uncommon with those darn cow-catcher things - they are NOT user friendly.

PIM gets $ for having those cars at their shop and will get $$ when and if it sells. I found during my search that the more you know and thus the more intelligent questions you ask, the more forthcoming the answers. The old "I don't have time for tire kickers thing" may be why you failed to get the info you hoped for when talking with PIM. You should plan on looking at many cars, driving as many as you can, talking to as many owners as you can. Your dream car is out there and each day will get you closer to it. I spent 1 1/2 years, saw about 25-30 cars, drove about 12, and talked with another 20 sellers. But when 2511 came along, I KNEW it was the one once I saw, inspected and drove it. Your time will come. If you haven't already planned on coming to Monterey Concorso in August, you should highly consider doing so. You'll see 70-80 Panteras, get up close and personal and have dozens of owners to talk with. These are NOT easy cars to buy WISELY. Get educated, read, read and read some more. Go to panterplace.com and banzairunner.com and read the archives here. The wiser you are the smarter your purchase will be.

Larry

This will sound dumb, but the car looks high off the ground to me, is this an optical illusion, or what?

As for the fiberglass, I had an '81 rx-7 with an IMSA widebody, rear flares (cut-out wheel wells), replacement flared front fenders, front dam, side skirts, kinda like this car has, and the look was similar (www.pioneerhomehealth.com/rx/). The wheel wells were slightly "not round" on mine as well and there is something of a plastic look on big air dams, especially without bumpers. I didn't have any fatigue cracking, except for the front air dam, which I biffed on low driveways, kinda like this one looks. I would chalk up alot to the quality of the fiberglass and the fiberglass kit. This car appears to have alot of upgrades, and I would assume a serious buyer could get it on a lift and inspect it closely for collision damage. Does anyone know if the body sheetmetal is cut-up to add a widebody kit like this?

The quest for the perfeckt pantera is not easy..

It is always best to see the car "in person". The second best is to let a person you trust inspeckt it for you. But the decision to buy or not to buy is yours only. Looking at as many Panteras you can,test driving and talking to the owners is the best way to get too know these beutyful cars.

I took a chance and bought my Pantera from PI Motorsport unseen(a lot of photos,mails and talking to Jerry +the right price/low value of the USD), and has never regret it. I am very pleased with the car.

If you whant a car with high build quality -buy a Porsche. If you are looking for a car with the "X-factor" - buy a Pantera !

I know -got both of them in my garage

Egil from Norway

Well I went to see the car specifically a few months back. Informed them that I was interested and when specifically I would be there to inspect. But when I got there it was buried in the middle of their facility, backed up to a wall where I couldn't even pop the rear deck to see the motor. Couldn't get in it. They didn't push this car at all, but steered me to several others. I was not a happy camper taking a 1/2 day out of a vacation to go see a car and then really not get to inspect it. What I did see did not impress me for the money, major cracks and chips in the paint, misalignment. Sure would have liked to see the underside and engine bay. So again buyer beware.

She's on eBay now for 33K.

Wonder how much $$$ you'd have to put into it?

quote:

Originally posted by plex03:
Wonder how much $$$ you'd have to put into it?

Its a Pantera!! How much more you got in the bank??

This car sure draws attention. Maybe someone who wants a Pantera should go look at it?
Maybe it's a real nice car and a steal?

Only those who actually look at it will know for sure.

Seems as long as it's not a total wreck, even if you have top throw another 10g at it at 33g on ebay, your still getting an ok deal..

quote:

Maybe someone who wants a Pantera should go look at it?

Uhhhh, Doug, Daytona_Rick did just that.

They (PIM) blew him off.

Read his post a few above yours.

Larry

It isn't worth $33,000? It's gotta be pretty ugly.
Maybe PI is trying to sell it to thier worst enemy?

According to PI's website the car is SOLD!

Hopefully it's not as bad as we all assumed.

I have seen the car, its not that bad looking, I did not inspect the car... may need some paint touch up on the front.... if it is "rust free" 33k is not a bad price

I have been trying to discuss this car with PIM, but their responses have been ultra slow and very 'unhelpful'. I realise the car was not perfect but I think it had all the things I wanted.
'that car SPOKE to me !!'
My whole pantera experience has been bad so far, I don't know why, i just want one ! Surely someone wants to send me a Pantera to Australia at a reasonable price !

hi v8 capri. Have you looked at the ones currently for sale in victoria?

Hi, yes I have the white one in vic is too plain, the red one is too nice !! ( bit pricey !) they yellow one is' not me'
pity
any other suggestions, will travel australia wide .or bring one in !

Looks like it sold according to the PIM site.

Hi v8capri

Which red one did you look at? Was it the one in Duttons? We've been keen on that one for a while but think its too pricey too. haven't seen it in the flesh so to speak but have discussed it with the owner....a lot!! Did you see the new one listed a few days ago on Autoweb? Just waiting for pics and more info.

We've caught the bug too but there aren't many in WA and its a fair hike to go to the eastern states every time we see an ad!

The duttons one I went and had a look at, it is very nice, infact too nice for me, I want to drive it ! I believe it once belonged to Jerry at PIM ??
I can't see any pantera's on autoweb

On autoweb.drive.com.au there are 2 de Tomaso's - a pantera and a Deauville. I still haven't heard anything having sent a message last night. I believe its a dealer in Beverley Hills NSW. I'll let you know if anything comes through.

Cheers
Paul