Popular Hot Rodding article on Pantera

Here's a photo of the Ring Brothers Pantera. Sorry, this was the only one I could find.

I jumped in my cat last night to run down and grab a copy, but there was no copy on the stand... Some one boot leg it..lol...

David, thanks for sharing that photo. It looks like a pretty radical, quality rebuild. From your photo, they’ve certainly taken a creative approach to the radiator and that portion of the cooling system. What also intrigues me about the build is that they appear to have completely swapped out both the front and rear suspension and replaced it with “Roadster Shop” components. A visit to the Roadster Shop website shows some pretty trick suspension setups but they are generally front engine, rear drive setups. I wonder how Ringbrothers is adapting the Roadster Shop suspension to the rear engine, transaxle setup in the Pantera.

Found this on the Roadster Shop webpage, doesn't really show any suspension mods in these photos. I can't wait to see the progress on this car...I really like the Ring Bros builds.

http://www.roadstershop.com/cu...chassis/1972-pantera

Seems like the April issue has a little more Pantera related stuff in it...Anybody recognize the dash in this Mustang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtWwkQNWdPc

I would expect a JME front suspension, a few rod shops have used them on the Mustang projects in the last year.

The modded Pantera is getting Corvette C-6 suspension, and there are several such Panteras already running with this mod that seem to handle decently; one with a big block engine uses Air-Ride bags along with his 'Vette parts. Whether it's better than Dallara's design, worse or just different, I can't say.

Here are some more photos of the Ring Brother's Pantera.

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Thanks for posting the pictures. Those are some serious mods and beautiful work. I can't wait to see the finished car.

Wow, and the wheel selection is awesome.

Awesome to see these guys take on a Pantera. Gonna be cool!

Ring Brothers Pantera Fuel Tank (built by Boyd Welding in Florida)

Front trunk?

Incredible work - pity they can't be more creative by fitting a Ford engine. There's no lack of incredible stuff out there. Surely there must be a wrecked Ford GT ready to give it up?

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Incredible work - pity they can't be more creative by fitting a Ford engine.

Why is it a pitty??? IT IS NOT A FORD!!!!!!!!

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Originally posted by ZR1 Pantera:

... IT IS NOT A FORD ...

I received a phone call this week from an auto broker handling a Pantera with a title that identified it as a Ford Pantera. There are several out there like that. I've never heard of one that's titled as a Lincoln Pantera however ... yet! Many people associate this car with Ford, and many many Pantera owners are people whose blood runs Ford blue. They would argue with you about your statement. To them DeTomaso and Ford power go hand in hand. Even the DeTomaso F1 car had a Cosworth in it.

quote:

quote:


Originally posted by ZR1 Pantera:

... IT IS NOT A FORD ...



I received a phone call this week from an auto broker handling a Pantera with a title that identified it as a Ford Pantera. Smiler There are several out there like that. I've never heard of one that's titled as a Lincoln Pantera however ... yet! Many people associate this car with Ford, and many many Pantera owners are people whose blood runs Ford blue. They would argue with you about your statement. To them DeTomaso and Ford power go hand in hand. Even the DeTomaso F1 car had a Cosworth in it.

I understand your point however Ford didn't build the car, Detomaso did(as you know). What about all the Pantera's built after the Ford era, are they also considered Ford's?

People with Ford Blue in their veins will always argue the point about a Pantera being a Ford but it simply isn't. Ford didn't build the car. That is a fact. I would argue that there is a HUGE number of Pantera owners that agree that it is not a Ford. I knew my statement would be controversial with some...

The Ford argument is way more prevalent in North America. European Pantera owners typically call their cars Detomaso's. This topic was just touched upon in the DeTomaso mailing forum. One comment was:

"Is a Lamborghini Diablo considered a Chrysler?

Is the Maserati Bora a Detomaso Bora?

Calling it a Ford is not correct."

I do understand your point but I have to respectfully disagree.

Scott

Isnt the whole point that the car was sold by an arm of Ford with a Ford engine? Shelby Cobras aren't 'Fords' either. But, like DeTomaso Panteras, the marque is synonymous with Ford engines.

I'm pretty sure there was a Pantera trunk badge that says "power by Ford" and so do the tappet covers.

I still think they could have tried or thought harder about engine choice. It doesn't take away from the amazing work they are doing, I just think the spirit of the car lies with a Ford engine.

You disagree, your opinion is just as valid as mine. They got people talking about the car!