SF Bay Area Pantera Shops??

I found many shops simply refused to work on my car when I was looking.

A friend mentioned RPM Machine in Santa Rosa, and that they had done good work on his car.

I went and introduced myself, and they seemed very nice and professional.

They explained that on my car, they couldn't make quotes, and simply had to charge hourly and that I had to trust that they'd be honest and fair. That was a fine answer to me.

At least they will take on Pantera work, most shops turned me down and simply refused to work on my car after they found out what it was.

Thanks for info! Appreciated!
Best regards,
Jack

Being that the Pantera has been inoperative for 15 years, I SERIOUSLY DOUBT a few as you describe "relative minor repairs" will have you Pantera up & running.

First thing I would suspect is that your brake pistons have rusted/pitted. The brake & clutch cylinders have also experienced rusting/pitting & deteriorated seals.

ALL fuel lines & brake/engine/clutch hoses should be changed.

The carb/fuel pump should be entirely rebuilt/changed.

Electrical connections/fuses should be inspected/cleaned.

A 15 year old car ( any car) that has been stored/not running is akin to opening Pandora's Vase.

I am fairly experienced in getting stored cars running & road worthy/safely...Mark

I've been taking my cars to All Auto and Truck Specialties in Campbell for years. Perry, the owner, is a great guy, total gearhead, and very honest. I've taken cars to him expecting to spend big $$$ for what I thought was wrong and he determined it was a minor issue that could be fixed for a fraction of the cost - example: I thought the AC compressor on my Landcruiser was shot and needed replacement ($900 part) but he determined it was only the AC clutch that needed replacing ($60 part). This has happened a number of times where he's saved me money! He's honest, does good work, and his prices are very fair.

I had planned to take my Pantera to him to be dyno tuned, right before I sucked the air cleaner stud into the engine. But, will do so once I get it back together.

Check out his FB page for a video of Brent's new Pantera being dyno tuned at All Auto & Truck Specialists last year.
https://www.facebook.com/pages...ists/269014436464468

By the way, we'll be planning a Pantera Club Dyno Day at the shop sometime this summer, so watch for an announcement in the next couple months.

I have to take some issue with Mark. Last year I revived my 72 pre-L after sitting for 19 years in my garage .. never started, never moved. With relatively little work I got it running and moving. I did spend a lot in rebuilding suspension completely and a few other things but it wasn't in any way a disaster. If you have any mechanic skills I'd give it a try before giving a blank check to a shop. My 2 cents.

I agree.

Charge or install a battery, check the fluids, fire it up. see what happens.

If it ran when it was laid to rest, it'll probably fire.

If you can suck the old gas out and replace with fresh gas I'd do that, and then maybe undo the fuel line and get fresh fuel to the carb, but otherwise, if the fluid levels are good, I would think you'd be OK in trying to start it.

Then you'd find out about the brakes, and leaks, and have a better idea of what you need to deal with.

A shop with a blank check is a dangerous thing.

Possibly my post was misconstrued.

I fully advocate the owner preforming his own work, I just caution against not replacing what I view as key safety elements of any car.

Brake hoses & fuel lines & cooling hoses being top priorities.

A broken 19 year old fuel line pouring raw gasoline atop a HOT engine is a sure fire way to completely ruin one's day, along with the car.

Also a 19 year old thermostat that hasn't opened in almost 2 decades along with a faulty temperature gauge can quickly overheat & not noticed until the damage has occurred.

Just recently got a 1959 MGA convertible engine's to start/run after sitting unstarted since 1993.

The top hose from the radiator to the thermostat was completely filled with a white calcium appearing substance, along with the thermostat housing being filled along with the cooling tube that runs through the intake manifold.

Perfect scenario for a warped head...Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Robbie:
I have to take some issue with Mark. Last year I revived my 72 pre-L after sitting for 19 years in my garage .. never started, never moved. With relatively little work I got it running and moving. I did spend a lot in rebuilding suspension completely and a few other things but it wasn't in any way a disaster. If you have any mechanic skills I'd give it a try before giving a blank check to a shop. My 2 cents.

Robbie, Robbie, Robbie...19 YEARS????!!!....Ohhhhh the humanity!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YY0xw5r1ro

Mark,

Yes .. those things that deteriorate .. water and fuel lines in particular .. need attention. But as you said, all of those things are good DIY projects. Even rebuilding the carb is fairly straightforward (as long as you use your digital camera to capture how it was disassembled). I might change my opinion if the car had been stored under s shade tree for 15 years (it wasn't .. right?). And YES .. 19 years .. my bad. I got distracted.

quote:

Originally posted by Robbie:
Mark,

Yes .. those things that deteriorate .. water and fuel lines in particular .. need attention. But as you said, all of those things are good DIY projects. Even rebuilding the carb is fairly straightforward (as long as you use your digital camera to capture how it was disassembled). I might change my opinion if the car had been stored under s shade tree for 15 years (it wasn't .. right?). And YES .. 19 years .. my bad. I got distracted.

TO be distracted for 19 YEARS begs that "2" questions be asked...
"1"...What's her name?
"2"...Does she have a sister? ...Mark

As a new owner, I'm interested to know more about the OP's original question of Bay Area shops able and willing to work on Pantera's

I'm not afraid to get dirty and know how to turn a wrench, but for the jobs I don't have the skill, knowledge, tools or time for, it would be nice to have somewhere to take it.

Garth has given a solid recommendation for All Auto and Truck Specialties, are there others out there? Seems there are at least two or three places in Southern California that cater to Pantera owners.

Best,
Dennis

Thanks everyone! Took Pantera to Full Throttle Pantera in Lake Elsinore, CA for repairs.

That's not quite SF Bay Area, but we'd love to see some pictures of the car, and hear more about what you had done, and how it runs!

Thanks -

Rocky

quote:

Originally posted by Robbie:
I have to take some issue with Mark. Last year I revived my 72 pre-L after sitting for 19 years in my garage .. never started, never moved. With relatively little work I got it running and moving. I did spend a lot in rebuilding suspension completely and a few other things but it wasn't in any way a disaster. If you have any mechanic skills I'd give it a try before giving a blank check to a shop. My 2 cents.

...I would have Test Fired the Engine, also, with a Fresh New Battery. But Only after Flushing and Adding Fresh Coolant, and a Complete Oil and Filter Change. And change any Rubber Fuel Lines, and Flush and add Fresh 'High Test' Fuel. As I Assume You DID! AND I would have had My Fire Extinguisher In My hands, watching for Carb Gasket Leaks!
And NOT Left the Garage before a Brake and Clutch Flush, Fill and Bleed. And Rubber Brake Hoses?? Got Cracks?

I suppose "relatively" is relative. I spent a lot of time rebuilding/replacing stuff before putting in the new battery and firing it up. I asked my neighbor to have the vid camera and a fire extinguisher handy, and I implored him to not mix them up in the event of flames. As it turned out it was extremely UNeventful. It started with no drama .. just idled like it had 19 years earlier. Go figure.