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I was born in '70, but I am leaning narrow body. Growing up in the 80's, the Countach was the car everyone lusted for. I found it kind of garrish and prefered the simpler 308 and the Bora/Merak. I really didn't pay any attention to the Panteras as they were fewer and farther between and maybe just a little over the top. The first three Panteras I saw in person were at a car dealership in Anniston, AL in the early nineties. They were all narrow bodies. Those cars struck a chord.

Coming from the Mustang world, its still kind of hard to conceive that I can do whatever I wish with the car (as long as its tasteful) and not hurt the value. Being that I have the car completely stripped and given the level of bodywork, it would be easy to go widebody. In fact, I might extract more value. But, I really think I prefer the narrow body. I guess I am an exception.
I was born in 1958 and I like both versions. Depending on the day, I think the wide body cars can look alot like a kit car at first glance. On other days I think they are an agressive looking car that really makes a statement.
Putting my money where my mouth is.. I plan on leaving my narrow body car a narrow body car and as to what popsrcr said my biggest issue is "should I put a delta wing on it or not??"

I like George's analysis and think he might be right on the money. It comes down to what the owner likes and wants to do with his car. Fortunately there are alot of vendors with parts and alot of dedicated owners on this forum willing to help out no matter what you want to do with your car.

I haven't met a Pantera I didn't like!
Another observation: Most people responding to thid thread were born in the 60's ('67 myself, still 39 though).

Having owned both body styles, I have an opinion on both. I was born and raised in NYC, and negotiating rush hour traffic in Manhattan is a sick enough thing to do in itself, but doing it in a 450hp bumperless narrow body was sheer bliss! It's like being a lean and in-shape prize fighter in the midst of a riot of fools! Everybody is racing, but I was the only one in a race car. I could wend that Pantera in and out of the tightest spots! The car needed paint too, which added to the bravado. I was probably the only one there who was thoroughly enjoying himself! I swear I should've painted that Pantera taxi cab yellow and picked up passengers (only the pretty ladies, of course!). I would've made a small fortune zipping up and down Manhattan.

Needless to say, I wouldn't dare try that in my 5-S. That puppy is wider than my brother's full size pickup! The 5-S is a highway cruiser, not a boulevard bruiser. (Any pretty hitch-hikers out there?) It feels more stable, accurate, and responsive at high speeds than did my narrow body Pantera. It also stops better from high speeds.

This is just another perspective other than the 'looks' issue. I personally like the clean look and crisp lines of the original. Sometimes I wish my 5-S were a narrow body. But then I go out and look at it, and damn, it IS one sexy bitch! (I know I'm not alone in just staring at my Pantera for what seems like hours at a time!) I think the narrow bodies come across better in most pictures. They capture the timeless essence of what a Pantera is. When they are side by side in person with a 5-S, I think the wide body just has more presence. This opinion only came about after I bought my 5-S, I guess it grew on me!

Michael

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Born in 64, and I too prefer the narrow body.

Seriously though, I do like some tastefully modified widebody Panteras, just can't stand those wanna-be Countach wings. Leave those off and the car rocks!

I've also noticed that the younger generation (in their 20's now) favors the flared, scooped and winged cars. But, I don't think it's a product of seeing Panteras like that when they were growing up. Rather, I believe it's a product of the Fast & Furious ricer generation - it doesn't matter what kind of car it is, the more scoops, flares and wings the better!

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quote:

Another observation: Most people responding to thid thread were born in the 60's ('67 myself, still 39 though).

Having owned both body styles, I have an opinion on both. I was born and raised in NYC, and negotiating rush hour traffic in Manhattan is a sick enough thing to do in itself, but doing it in a 450hp bumperless narrow body was sheer bliss! It's like being a lean and in-shape prize fighter in the midst of a riot of fools! Everybody is racing, but I was the only one in a race car. I could wend that Pantera in and out of the tightest spots! The car needed paint too, which added to the bravado. I was probably the only one there who was thoroughly enjoying himself! I swear I should've painted that Pantera taxi cab yellow and picked up passengers (only the pretty ladies, of course!). I would've made a small fortune zipping up and down Manhattan.

Needless to say, I wouldn't dare try that in my 5-S. That puppy is wider than my brother's full size pickup! The 5-S is a highway cruiser, not a boulevard bruiser. (Any pretty hitch-hikers out there?) It feels more stable, accurate, and responsive at high speeds than did my narrow body Pantera. It also stops better from high speeds.

This is just another perspective other than the 'looks' issue. I personally like the clean look and crisp lines of the original. Sometimes I wish my 5-S were a narrow body. But then I go out and look at it, and damn, it IS one sexy bitch! (I know I'm not alone in just staring at my Pantera for what seems like hours at a time!) I think the narrow bodies come across better in most pictures. They capture the timeless essence of what a Pantera is. When they are side by side in person with a 5-S, I think the wide body just has more presence. This opinion only came about after I bought my 5-S, I guess it grew on me!

Michael


It's great seeing your car on this website again. Beautiful.
quote:
Originally posted by garth66:
Born in 64, and I too prefer the narrow body.

Seriously though, I do like some tastefully modified widebody Panteras, just can't stand those wanna-be Countach wings. Leave those off and the car rocks!

I've also noticed that the younger generation (in their 20's now) favors the flared, scooped and winged cars. But, I don't think it's a product of seeing Panteras like that when they were growing up. Rather, I believe it's a product of the Fast & Furious ricer generation - it doesn't matter what kind of car it is, the more scoops, flares and wings the better!


Hey now, I used to live near Paris, KY!!!!
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