Richard,
Dreams come true!
When I was a boy 12 years old (and way before that) my parents would load us all in the back of the wagon and drive 714 miles to Detroit to see my grandmother.
(what are seat belts, when your in the "way back" of the wagon ... but I digress.)
My uncle ran the paint shop for a Lincon Mercury dealer. He would take me to work every year to give me something to do, I would hang around the show room that year he had a Pantera on the floor, people everywhere, he had a guy fire the car up on the floor I fell in love. I could barely see over the roof, sat in the seat and grinned ear to ear.
Zoom forward and low and behold there is one in my garage now... never give up. maybe when I am 77 years old and can't get in and out of the car anymore ... and you are 35... look me up!
ps Welcome!!! There are a lot of good people here.
Thank you Joe and will do look you up when your 77 
thanks for the support.
thanks for the support.
Richard,
For comparison here is a $35K project, looks to be complete and I would not expect it to last long in this market.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5051133886.html
Julian
For comparison here is a $35K project, looks to be complete and I would not expect it to last long in this market.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5051133886.html
Julian
quote:Originally posted by Joules:
Richard,
For comparison here is a $35K project, looks to be complete and I would not expect it to last long in this market.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5051133886.html
Julian
There ya' go. A good one. Something that you don't need to re-invent the wheel to finish?
Hey Richard....go for it! I did a '73 vette with my dad when I was 15. Of course we didn't have anywhere near enough money to do it. But we had time. Took four years and a shoestring budget. I still have the car today (35 years later....) and all the memories.
Going to start on a Factory Five type 65 coupe with my son next year when he is 13....and no I don't have enough money to do it either. But he can't drive it (legally
) for a few years anyway....we've got time.
The journey is what is important...
Going to start on a Factory Five type 65 coupe with my son next year when he is 13....and no I don't have enough money to do it either. But he can't drive it (legally
) for a few years anyway....we've got time. The journey is what is important...
My dream of owning a Pantera started 34 years ago, when I was 14. I swore I'd own one someday.
I saved for close to 5 years, went through a few other toys (Porsche race car, hopped up turbo Subaru BRZ, nice newer twin turbo BMW) but in the end I sold off what I had and finally went for it and bought my dream car.
Unfortunately, in my case, certain circumstances made it not my "dream" car, but it IS a bada$$ 600-plus HP sweet Pantera that I own, and will have back on the road in a week or so (as soon as I get my new throttle cable).
Stick to your dream. It doesn't have to start with a Pantera, because you're going to have to save quite a bit to find a decent example that doesn't need a lot of work or money.
I'm 48, just had open heart surgery, which had a large affect on my perspective about life, and my dreams are what drive me in life. When I wake up, I'm thankful every day I wake up at all, then I remember I own my dream car, life is good.
If you're dead set on a Pantera, save save save your money. IMO better to buy one that's already been gone through, or in good condition, than pay less for a project, for a number of reasons.
Projects often never get finished (1) Projects always cost way more than you think (2) Projects can discourage you and force you to give up (3).
I thought I was buying a solid car when I bought mine, but it ended up having a lot of issues that happened before I bought the car, and I was told many things about the car that weren't true, so I got stuck with a nice car, but I've been doing nothing but work on it, fixing the things I was told were "new, fresh, or in good condition" so also be careful when it comes to buying one.
Research it's history, have an INDEPENDANT shop do a PPI (pre-purchase-Inspection-it's worth the couple hundred bucks if you're serious about a certain car), a big mistake I didn't make that I'm paying or now.
Even if you build some other cars with your gramps, you'll gain experience, save yor money, and get a good, solid Pantera with a known history when you are able.
Just like you, my dream of owning a P-car started when I was 14, but I had no help, so I had to wait til I was 47 and had the money to finally go out and get one.
Panteras are amazing cars. Total PITA's to work on, but there's only one or 2 other cars I'd love to own more, and they are WAY out of my reach finacially.
Stick with your dream, I wish you luck.
I saved for close to 5 years, went through a few other toys (Porsche race car, hopped up turbo Subaru BRZ, nice newer twin turbo BMW) but in the end I sold off what I had and finally went for it and bought my dream car.
Unfortunately, in my case, certain circumstances made it not my "dream" car, but it IS a bada$$ 600-plus HP sweet Pantera that I own, and will have back on the road in a week or so (as soon as I get my new throttle cable).
Stick to your dream. It doesn't have to start with a Pantera, because you're going to have to save quite a bit to find a decent example that doesn't need a lot of work or money.
I'm 48, just had open heart surgery, which had a large affect on my perspective about life, and my dreams are what drive me in life. When I wake up, I'm thankful every day I wake up at all, then I remember I own my dream car, life is good.
If you're dead set on a Pantera, save save save your money. IMO better to buy one that's already been gone through, or in good condition, than pay less for a project, for a number of reasons.
Projects often never get finished (1) Projects always cost way more than you think (2) Projects can discourage you and force you to give up (3).
I thought I was buying a solid car when I bought mine, but it ended up having a lot of issues that happened before I bought the car, and I was told many things about the car that weren't true, so I got stuck with a nice car, but I've been doing nothing but work on it, fixing the things I was told were "new, fresh, or in good condition" so also be careful when it comes to buying one.
Research it's history, have an INDEPENDANT shop do a PPI (pre-purchase-Inspection-it's worth the couple hundred bucks if you're serious about a certain car), a big mistake I didn't make that I'm paying or now.
Even if you build some other cars with your gramps, you'll gain experience, save yor money, and get a good, solid Pantera with a known history when you are able.
Just like you, my dream of owning a P-car started when I was 14, but I had no help, so I had to wait til I was 47 and had the money to finally go out and get one.
Panteras are amazing cars. Total PITA's to work on, but there's only one or 2 other cars I'd love to own more, and they are WAY out of my reach finacially.
Stick with your dream, I wish you luck.
good luck finding a good project car . I always wanted a pantera and finally bought mine when I was 38 . Sadly the days of good project car for under 30k ended a few years ago. Maybe you will get lucky and find one for sale below market value.
Hey Richard,
Here's a project Pantera on Hemmings. 2x your target price, but maybe the seller is negotiable as the car looks like it needs a lot.
http://www.hemmings.com/classi...pantera/1737237.html
Here's a project Pantera on Hemmings. 2x your target price, but maybe the seller is negotiable as the car looks like it needs a lot.
http://www.hemmings.com/classi...pantera/1737237.html
Assuming your desire is genuine Richard, and this is not some cheap appeal to emotion type play to find a Pantera for your father/grandfather to flip, I will tell you, you are in for a long haul. Prices have increased quite a bit, even for projects.
Leave the sob story out of your profile, search craigslist at the national level, and join the discussion for more than a few weeks, and you'll be better received by even the most condescending of individuals which in reality is a rare breed here.
Being a younger owner of any classic car, you will deal with condescending people regardless. 6 years ago I finally got my pantera at 30 and I still get the "what are you doing with that car?" type condescending remarks when I run into people that find out I am an owner of one. In person though 99% of the owners have always been very supportive and I have met some great people with this car and very like minded individuals.
Good luck in your hunt.
Leave the sob story out of your profile, search craigslist at the national level, and join the discussion for more than a few weeks, and you'll be better received by even the most condescending of individuals which in reality is a rare breed here.
Being a younger owner of any classic car, you will deal with condescending people regardless. 6 years ago I finally got my pantera at 30 and I still get the "what are you doing with that car?" type condescending remarks when I run into people that find out I am an owner of one. In person though 99% of the owners have always been very supportive and I have met some great people with this car and very like minded individuals.
Good luck in your hunt.
My Father and I test drove several with an asking price of ~10K...But that was 1973. way too expensive then
I bought mine 8 years latter when I was 25 and drove it as a company car. Not a classic then, just an used sports car. Life was good!
I bought mine 8 years latter when I was 25 and drove it as a company car. Not a classic then, just an used sports car. Life was good!
quote:I bought mine 8 years latter when I was 25 and drove it as a company car. Not a classic then, just an used sports car. Life was good!
Sounds like life is still good! Congrats on keeping the car all these years!
I guess my question would be if you find a Pantera Chassis
That needs quite a bit of work
With no engine
but does have the ZF and other main components
Is it really out of range?
If you are doing the work yourself, sure things will cost but it takes time to build too. The more manual work it needs and the more time you put in it, the more you can spring for a few more things here and there.
That needs quite a bit of work
With no engine
but does have the ZF and other main components
Is it really out of range?
If you are doing the work yourself, sure things will cost but it takes time to build too. The more manual work it needs and the more time you put in it, the more you can spring for a few more things here and there.
quote:Originally posted by 1973 Pantera:
Here's a project.
Click for Project Pantera
It needs just about everything, but it is a "project".
Wouldn't that be the rare Phiatera!
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...821039456
quote:Originally posted by JFB #05177:quote:Originally posted by 1973 Pantera:
Here's a project.
Click for Project Pantera
It needs just about everything, but it is a "project".
Wouldn't that be the rare Phiatera!
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...821039456
Oh good lord it is!!
No wonder they aren't showing the front end!!
Scratch this one Richard!!!
Last one! Hurry!
I guess that proves that they still exist under 20K
Huge, huge benefit to go look at a project car when it has already been blasted...
I would disqualify a MN car, but since it's blasted there's nothing hidden.
I would disqualify a MN car, but since it's blasted there's nothing hidden.
Hi Richard,
Welcome... Many of us shared the passion from a young age. Glad to see there is still young guys who have it.
I just ran across this one... it's a bit higher than your target...but you can test out your negotiation skills...
[URL=cat for sale]http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/5129705073.html[/URL]
Welcome... Many of us shared the passion from a young age. Glad to see there is still young guys who have it.
I just ran across this one... it's a bit higher than your target...but you can test out your negotiation skills...
[URL=cat for sale]http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/5129705073.html[/URL]