Hello everyone…new member here. So after lurking for months around Pantera sites researching and soaking everything in, I am ready to purchase a project Pantera. I have wanted one of these wonderful cars since I was a kid!
Before I describe the level of project I want, I’m going to explain that I’m a deranged masochist who likes to rescue cars that most sane restorers wouldn’t touch. I’m a practicing mechanical engineer and a pretty accomplished metal guy on the side. I started years ago by making exact replicas of gas tanks for prewar British motorcycles…many are chromed so the metal work had to be perfect. I’ve restored a few wrecked and very rusty British cars that most would call parts cars. My last restoration was a series 1 E-type that was left for 30 years in a backyard in NH under the remnants of a tarp. It even had a 4” tree growing up thru it. So I replaced the entire bottom 12” of the shell. I purchased very few prefabricated panels, preferring to make my own. After I was done, the bare shell was almost indistinguishable from a factory original shell. And now I’m ready to rescue another monocoque!! Told you I’m a masochist…
So anyway, now you get an idea of what I’m looking for: A project Pantera that ideally is mostly complete and original and hasn’t been modified other than the usual bolt-on items. My mantra is to bring a near hopeless car back to original condition. Banged-up or rusty, this doesn’t scare me in the least. Any leads would be appreciated! Thanks!!!
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