Restore or not?

Undoubtably, that estimate was for new stock parts; there is also the option of using used parts that are in better shape than what you have, at a significant savings. plus, some restorers charge $50 an hour while others are nearer $70.hr so there a range on the labor end (assuming you don't do your own cutting & welding). Fially, does the car absolutely have to be completely sytripped? Perhaps only the damaged areas need work? This alone will shave thousands off. I agree, if you decide to throw the car into a high-end restorer shop, you'll likely never recover the cost- and this is true of Mustangs, CAmaros and most other production cars, not just Panteras. So what remains is the basic question- are you gonna keep the car or off it & get another? If it sin't going to stay, I suggest you make some kind of deal now for what work the new owner wants and agree on a price. From what I've seen recently, a good driver with some problems is $25K, a turn-key car with almost no problems is $30+ and a perfect car depends on the buyers lust...

It is a tough call, I have owned my car for almost 19 years now. I decided a few years ago that I would do a ground up restoration of the car. I sent it to the body shop as a rolling chassis. I finished the car about a year ago, (although it is never really finished) When I decided to do the car I decided I wanted something I could drive to the shows and compete with the "trailer queens" I also drive the car on many other occasions.
I had the car appraised for insurance purposes and they valued the car at $55,000. Whether someone would pay that much for it I don't know. The car has been featured in POCA as Pantera of the Quarter last year. It was worth it to me, my wife might say otherwise.

My vote says keep it, fix it, drive it, have fun with it especially since you have had it that long.

Good luck
Gary #06984

It's definitely a tough call Robert. I face the same decision with my car, although several years away. I personally think it's just a matter of time (yeah, probably years) before really nice original Panteras have much higher values in the collector world. There were so few of the cars to begin with, and I bet that less than 20% of the ones that still exist are "stock". It's these cars that go up typically, so if future value is your aim �- and you're a bit of a gambler � keep it stock. If you just want to have fun, then go nuts with it. There certainly are areas for vast improvements.

Whatever your decision, good luck!

Financially, it sounds like you're better off buying another car, but if you're emotionally attached to this car, then restore it and fix those *numerous* factory faults while you're at it!

If future value is your game - - Don't keep it stock.