Seized Pantera in Arizona

I always wondered how that particular car was brought into US. I've been down this road before trying to import a Pantera Si and been told that it's impossible.

But this car was assigned a Florida title after it was imported and, I think, more recently was given an Arizona title...so something ain't right. I smell a lawsuit in the making.

Best of luck to the owners..

Bob Eaton

In 1986 when I was working for a company in Silicon Valley, we had several clients who were importing 'GREY MARKET CARS' thismeans the Lamboghinis, Ferraris with V-12's and 6 Webbers were re-equipped with different fuel induction systems, had DOT glass installed, and had safety side impact metal installed inside the doors to pass DOT & EPA. It was a time when the US $ was very strong against the European currencies, and even with the cost of these conversions, it was still highly profitable to import non-US cars and get them through US Customs, DOT & EPA.

I may be able to hook up someone who has a need, to get them in touch with the people who do the conversions and get the DOT, Customs & EPA paperwork done, inorder, and licensed & titled in the good ole USA.

Where in Arizona is this car being held? I would like to try to save this car.

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
The Arizona authorities have obtained a 1983 Pantera with a Florida tag on it with this vin number: THPNVA09178. The vehicle was seized by Customs and is subject to forfeiture. It may be auctioned later, exported or crushed depending upon its having EPA and DOT releases. This is the second Pantera that we are aware of that the Arizona authorities have seized.
PI

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[This message has been edited by Mas Tequila (edited 07-31-2003).]

I am with the AZ Pantera chapter and we have three new members looking for cars. Can I please get any additional information so we can save this vehicle and keep the Pantera spirit alive!!!

I have information that 9178 was titled as a 1981 car, and registered to a Swiss in 1990. (No wing, white & white). I believe this car was imported by someone I know, who had lots of EPA/DOT & attorney issues, that have now been resolved. All is now well, and the car is saved, and being restored. The car is being driven. I'll leave the owner to say more.

Chuck

[This message has been edited by Chuck Melton (edited 07-31-2003).]

Chuck is correct. Except it is White with Tan Interior. And thanks Chuck for all your phone calls back and forth getting it on the road again. It's appreciated my friend.

# 07198 belongs to me and is with me after a year of major hassles. It was brought into to the US in January 2001 by me. It was restored by me over the next 18 months and major costs. (as we all know, nothing is cheap with Pantera's)

In fact, we are both in Albq. NM at the present time visiting Ron Norman and helping him get his Pantera on the road for this weekend. What a driver she is.... :-))

It was first seized by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his personal Goon Squad without warrant or due process over a political vendetta in June of 2002. When he was threatened with a civil suit by me and my civil attorney he turned it over to customs.

What it and I have been through after that is not for posting on the internet. But believe me, this original GT5 is alive, well, and the sprit lives and WILL go on with this car.

After sitting in a Customs outdoor storage facility for almost a year, I have to redo some things on it, but I am very happy to have the chance to do these things again.

It's my baby :-)) And God knows I suffered enough labor pains to say so.

It is not for sale and if I have my way about it, it will never be again.

Thanks for visiting me in Albuquerque, Coz, and thanks for the Tech Sessions and allthe Pantera Pertinant Info you mentor me with, having owned a Pantera since 1974 as you have. It's great that this story has a happy ending and your while Pantera GT5 will be parked in my garage next to my Pantera 'L' this weekend, doing a labor of love to both exotics all weekend long, including a visit to a car show on Sunday to the Suset Grill where we hope to support a charity and meet some New Mexico Pantera owners. I am thrilled.

Coz, has a realy eye catching White GT5 and I'm sure he'll be thrilled to meet all the Pantera folks in NM, but unfortunately for both of us, our cars are not prepped to show, so we'll just be socializing and swapping Pantera Stories.

Coz and Chuck Melton and Husker and Jack De Ryke and a lot of others have helped me and I hope to meet you all one day, so, let's have a Pantera Party/Tech Session at my house sometime!

Coz, had dogged determination in the lawsuit to recover his Pantera and really loves his cat, and it shows. I'm gonna encouage him to post a few pics in a post on this Forum, to show what a prize he has and I'll try and get him in a photo so you can see what a real Champion of Pantera Ownership looks like.

Way to go, Coz, and thanks Admin5 and all others who were interested and offered help in this matter. That's a great Pantera Attitude!