Possable Pantera purchase

This sounds like a money pit. You can easily put the equivalent of the purchase price into repairs and upgrades with this car in the state you describe. If you are afraid to raise the car because of rust, then it is due for a complete strip down and media blast. Figure low $30k's to buy, maybe high $20k's if you have a motivated seller and you grind him down pointing out the flaws. If the transaxle needs a gear or a synchro, figure about $3-4k to have RBT rebuild it for you.

If you want a project because that is what you like to do, then go for it, but a sound, complete car that has no needs is far cheaper in the long run. You may have to travel the country to find the right car, but the travel expense will still be cheaper than settling for a dog and pouring money into it.

As one that has bought and restored several panteras, from the sounds of your discription I would say mid teens would be a good purchase point, and expect at least that much to go into it, if you do the work.

It definitely sounds like it warrants a much more thorough inspection before any commitment. You definitely need to understand the extent of the rust issue.

If you want a car that is a blank canvas to make your own then a project is good prospect, but if you want to be driving soon and your wish list isn't too long then it's always a better investment to buy somebody else's money pit at cents on the dollar!

From your description I'd go lower than Dave and say it's a $20K car at most. Good drivers are out there for $30K price range, some great restored cars for under $40K.

As an example this was just passed up on Ebay with no bids at no reserve $25.7K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&hash=item20c06acefb

Good luck,
Julian

Just a comment on rust. When I started in cars, I learned to fix rust. Why? Because my country is one of the most rust prone country in Europe, so everything I could afford was rusty. When I read these forums everybody has a "can fix anything" positive attitude, great, but when you say the word rust, lots of people say leave it alone. It's difficult, it's expensive.

It's not difficult at all, with the right $600 welder. It's easy. Just bought a 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee for nothing, because it was rusty. I did 22 patches in 1½ day, and it was fixed. Hard work yes, but comparing to a engine rebuild, piece of cake.

I'm not writing this to sound clever, nor to have people come to me for rust repair I just want to say that with the level of craftmanship the average forum contributor has, welding is nothing to be scared of. Learn it!

One thing though, there's always more rust than you think.

(For those that do weld that think 22 patches in 1½ days can't be made right, when I restored my 68 Camaro (took 10 years), I spent 1½ days on one patch, getting all the profiles right. It depends on your level of ambition, for the vehicle your working on. The solidity is the same)

...Rats' Nest in the Glovebox???
Are You Kidd'n Me?

Save Yourself some Real PAIN!!

Contact the Owner In Florida and purchase His Pantera! A '74 #6494 is way up in the Production Numbers...Priced at $25,700, there is Your Deal right there; and It's a 'Driver'!!
You'll never find a Better Pantera for that Price!! You can afford to fly down and Inspect the Machine, Before You Lay Your Money Down! Then Drive the Beast Home!

Everything (In the Pictures) Looks Decent! Great Interior and NO Rats' Nest! And I'll bet You won't be afraid to put Her Up on a Lift!

Your going to Save a 'Ton' of Money, (And Time) in the Longer Run! Plus You'll be Driving Her with a Smile On Your Face; From Day One!!...

The car that Joules referenced on ebay is back up with no bids at $25,250.

Bruce,
Let’s start with what kind of car are you looking for, a nice car to get into... do a little work yourself, drive it and fix it up as you go, or you want a car that runs well has no problems but is not perfect, or a track car to road race, or the full blown show and go ride. Each of these has a price, if you have ever rebuilt a car from scratch it will be a labor of love that you will never get your money out of, but you will get something greater than money the knowledge that you did it.
(Sorry but I am paraphrasing here) The Harley guys have a saying 18r are you the $18,000 and 18 miles driven buyer… or are you one of the guys who buys the basket case for $180 and rides it 18,000 miles. In other words what is your talent? Can you wrench? If so you can save yourself some cash if not you will spend a lot of cash to get something that runs and looks good. I have done both, I have $28,000 into a blown 1999 mustang gt convertible but I am not selling it and I get $500 (in smiles) back when I break the tires loose in 3rd gear knowing I built it and driving it is worth it. But to sell it I don’t think I could get 10 grand.
When I bought my Pantera, I decided it would be the most dependable car I owned, that was the goal. I had 12 cars. Some of my cars were new so that was a tough goal to meet and when I had a chance (repaint the car) I would do it the best looking way I could afford. (Search for 6656 in the specific car forum to see my car) I did the major bodywork, paid to have the car final touch up bodywork, and I helped prep the car to spray, had a pro paint it. I have panted 4 cars in my day that was enough... is it show quality... the answer is depends on who’s show. I do shows with mine people admire it but don't look for me at Pebble Beach smile. These are hard times and some people have to let their baby go, I feel bad for them but good cars are around, as a lot of people have said $25,000-$35,000 gets you a pretty nice ride today and not much work you can put double that into a good driver with good paint. As for the Rust... go to panteraplace.com and download the places where the Pantera rusts... and check the car out. Rust can be just a small surface bubble or it can be the rear wheels are going to fold in on the first hard corner. If you post a "how about a little help here" "want to go look at a car for/with me" someone usually will step up and go with you. IMHO We are a good group here.
If you can get the car at a great price, if you can do the work yourself, and if the car has not been "bastardized" you can enjoy working on your project and over some years put some money into it and have a fun great driver. Mine has taken 10 years to get to the point it is at, but I plan on keeping it until I can only ride in it. This is a good forum and many people will try to help you but it is your decision So belly up to the bar, figure out your cash to spend, and then add 25% (for the make it hurt factor buy the best one you can afford) for a good car to drive away and enjoy… or if you are like me double the cash ½ now and ½ later do it yourself knowing it is right and you did it.

Bruce
One more thing. I just looked at the e(vil)bay the Palm coast is 3-4 hours from me if you fly down and I have the time I will go with you to take a look.

Thanks for the many responses, looks like from just a money standpoint the value of the car should be 5-7k if one wants to break even with purchasing a driver in today's market so getting it for mid teens would not be cost effective. I am not afraid to elbow up to the grease as all of my cars except the 300 srt8 had at least 144k on them when I got/found them in a ditch. One of which is apropos to the Pantera as it's a 87 Charger. One of my dreams has been to build a car from scratch but if I purchase the Pantera and whack on it with a big stick until it acts right it could fulfill the need to build it myself. So I went to look again at it and decided to get in it, never gave it much thought while pouring over it, with my fake foot it is nearly imposable for me to get into it. (Lost it on a Moto Guzzi that came to this country in a basket.) Bummer man! Still if it could be had reasonably I would love to save the beast, kinda got a soft spot for it. The idea of getting a welder and diving in suits me as well as these are skills I will need to fix or build frames, No Quarter is right on this one, if you pay someone thousands to fix it once, you could get a welder, small sheer, English wheel and plasma cutter some scrap steel and it's off to the races. My next step is to find out just what I can get it for. It is an estate deal and is negotiable. Joe thanks for the offer, quite nice. You guys are great. I will let you know what happens with the price. Any ideas on break part cost?
Thanks, Bruce.

Bruce
Sound like you got heart. That combined with some welding skills a bit of hard work and you will have yourself a nice pantera. Sometimes a car may not seem worth the effort. It takes a strong level of dedication to turn a lump of coal into a diamond but once it is done the rewards are 10 fold (not just financial)
Please post some pictures of the car so we can see what you are working with.
All the best to you and please keep us posted on your progress.
Jay