Potential Purchase of a Pantera

Tom. For starters, here is a link to MikeD's website for a new purchase, along with tons of other stuff.........and hands-down has got more information than you will need. Am outstanding site that honestly is 2nd to none. (http://www.panteraplace.com/page58.htm)

On the cooling upgrades side, the radiator fans seem to be the biggie. The (2) stock pusher style fans.......one may be a 10-blade, the other a 4-blade don't cut it. Most folks seem to have either upgraded them to a "beefy" Meriah, or pulled them and put (2) 12" sucker style fans behind the radiator.

Parts........There are a plenty of Pantera vendors out there, and the motor is your Ford 351 Cleveland (if its still in the car). A caution though, when looking for any engine related parts at your local Autozone, Napa...etc,......just say its for a 1971 Boss351 Mustang. (trust me 50%+ have no clue what a Pantera is, and their DB's have no entries for it).

On your a/c question......I'm by far no expert, but believe that the US 71-74's all came with A/C, PowerWindows, Black interior seats, and either gray or black carpet.

What you may want to do is find a local owner that can check the car out with you, and also get a list of items or upgrades the current owner has done. Ask lots of questions, and post anything of concern on this site for an answer.

I'd throw this out there. For the $$ I've put into mine, and I call it mostly restoration and upgrades.......I have never thought about selling the car (and this is a first for me). I fully expected that for an early 70's car you will need to put in some restoration funds. The enjoyment from owning this car, driving it, and having the non-typical auto is amazing.

Bob

Tom,

Whoa! Slow down a bit. I think you have what we call The Fever. You are looking to buy what I call a rust-prone, Italian hot rod. It is not like buying a new Mustang, or even a used Mustang. You do not want to follow the road others before you have done when under the influence of The Fever. You MUST educate yourself before buying one of these cars, or risk owning a rusty, broken down, money pit. Mike Dailey's site is a GREAT site. After reading all his site - yes, ALL - click and read all the links at his site. Then read all the archives here at the PIBB site, and then go to the archives at the DeTomaso Forum (listed in my signature below) and read all - yes ALL - those archives. And join the Forum, too. Then you will begin to know what various flavors of Panteras are out there, what the pitfalls are, and start your educated search for YOUR car. Please rely on the rest of us to offer advice, and sometimes first hand knowledge, on the cars you come across. These cars are awesome, but the DeTomaso Family is the very best part of a Pantera. You do your homework, we'll help you along the way, and a quality Pantera will find a home in your garage.

Larry

Tom,

Larry & Bob have great advice. When I got the bug, I did just what Larry is suggesting. Mike Dailey's site really is phenomenal and is VERY useful. His car is also a 71, so it is especially relevant. At least when I was looking I knew what I REALLY NEEDED to pay attention to (RUST etc...) and what I could pretend I wasn't seeing (worn bushings etc.). There are always a surprising number of cars (both good and bad) for sale at any one time, and getting the car that's right for you is not always the first one you see (or the lowest price). One of the things you need to decide is how modified a car you want and what you plan to do with it after you get it.

Good luck with the journey, and welcome!

By all means... look for rust. Put the car on a lift and shine some light underneath it, as well as everywhere else. The person selling it shouldn't have a problem with you doing that.