So I have decided to build the Pantera that I always wanted... I have had 6 Panteras in the past and bought this one as a GT4 project from the beginning. But changed my mind and have now started my build to a clone GT5-S Targa. I have a Coyote (Ford Mustang GT 5.0 2016) engine ready for it and 17" Campy clones. The build will be as if it would have been built in the factory, but with better changes to the body structure and more modern items, such as Hydraulic Servo steering, new electrical system (much lighter and more modern, no amp meeter but a volt meeter instead), Holley dominator ecu, lower battery box, laydown radiator and much more... I will keep this post updated as the progress is going on.
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Sounds like it’s going to be awesome. Keep us posted!
Great project. The work looks very nice. It is going to be very nice when it is finnished.
Awesome and good luck, please keep us posted with plenty of updates and photos. I had thought of doing something very similar and have a set of 5S fenders. What under chassis strengthening did you do? How will you seal the roof section and how will it latch?
And of course also the window fram and more
Very cool project! If you need a set of headers for the Coyote , please let me know.
Ron
Hi Ron I actually am looking for a used part, I already have the right side and am looking for the left side. Just missed a complete set for 100 usd on eBay, and he sold 5 sets...
Very cool project. Can’t wait to see the finished results!
Understood:-). Pm me a price pls.
A massive project. There's some 20 FEET of meticulous TIG welding and body work needed to add GT5-s fender flares to an early Pantera. And cutting the roof weakens the monococque enough that on an unstiffened chassis, punching the throttle while driving frequently opens one or both doors from body flex! Gary Hall and a few other old-time Pantera shops used to do this mod, but none do it any more. There's a network of heavy wall 2" square tubes, with braces thru the rocker panels and under the floor on a couple I've seen. No photos that I know of.
Yes I know it is a massive project, but also a fun one:-).
The new design, improvements and reinforcement design in the chassis is done by the well known Goran Malmberg (www.hemipanter.se) who has written books about how to strengthen chassis and so on. And since he has been my "mechanic" since 1986 and now his son is my mechanic and builder of the Targa, I feel very confident that the chassis will be as stiff and good as possible without to many/much sacrifice. In anyway, it will be much stiffer than the Pavesi original and since my car will not be dedicated track car (I have a Mclaren for that) and one that will be driven for enjoyment, I think it will be fine without popping doors or flexing the body to much (it will be some flex, otherwise we have to make it with roll cage and more and that's not the goal)
Jay ,
How do you know that your chassis is stiffer , have you ever drive a factory Targa ?
The original Pavesi is very stiff, maybe stiffer too than the closed roof .
Please dont misunderstand , I like your work .
Simon
From what I've read about Goran and his work, you are in very good hands.
Yes I am in good hands and fully trust that the work will be sufficient and good.
Regarding Simon statement: Yes I have seen how Pavesi built their Targas and let me say that I was not very impressed. But on the other hand they were built a long time ago and knowledge and materials/methods have improved since then. I have full confidence that my builders and their structure and chassis knowledge will be able to build a more rigid structure that will fit my needs (and with the roof on it will be more rigid than a coupe).
Question - I have always wanted to know .What do you use as the roof panel? Is it something already available such as as Porsche 914 roof or do you have to custom "one-off" this panel?
Thank you, Cliff
the Targa roofs from all the Pantera's I have owned are Fiberglass.
looks similar as the steel roofs .
locks are from Ferrari 80-87 GTS models
Simon
I believe Gary Hall's targa roofs were made from the roof panel that was cut out but the seals and latches were Porsche 914.