What color looks best on the A-Arms, Opinions sought

I had mine done in Black chrome, looks great

I had mine powdercoated in gloss black and it looks great! When I am detailing the suspension for shows, I spray on a little cleaner/degreaser to clean everything and then use Griot's Speed Shine to make everything nice and shiny. But like everything about these cars go with what will make you happy.

Gary
#06984

Depends on whats important to you; chrome wipes off easily in your yearly inspection for cracks, especially around the anti-roll bar attachments. Gloss lacquer also shows metal failures nicely since lacquer cracks easily when the metal starts to fail. This is not a place for armor-plated paint that hides such problems until the arm becomes two-piece!
As a moderator for Dave's webpage, IMHO the Pantera sub-chassis does bend and/or otherwise permanently deflect with age or abuse, most noticably in the rear. Running vastly oversized tires or hitting curbs or racing will make this situation worse. A-arm mount tabs on the body have been known to bend or crack under severe impacts. The anti-roll bars are not mild steel, they are (probably) 300-M steel, since they function as simple torsion-bars. Heating anti-roll bars to adjust things either anneals them into mild steel at that point, or shock-cools them to extreme brittleness. Such torch-adjustments require correct re-heat-treating the bars back to their original stiffness.or they will simply bend (or crack!) under loads. I once broke a 7/8" thick anti-rollbar with my hands after simple heating & bending. NOT recommended! I suggest finding the problem in the chassis that caused the misalignment, such as popped spot-welde (as in my car) and avoid the problem entirely. As a final correction, balljoint removal needs a solid hit at right angles on the forged-steel socket of the upright, not on the mild steel hollow a-arms, which will easily dent.

Thanks Boss Wrench. While it's up on jack stands, it's easy to get under and inspect. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right, so I'm gonna order a new front sway bar. I was surpised that the front sway bar has a larger diameter than the rear one. The rear has more weight and I presumed it would have the larger diameter. Wrong. Thanks for helping me avoid a problem.

Chrome Them!! It looks the best!

I think the chrome looks really great from behind, especially at night when someone is following with lights shining. Your choice may depend if you want to draw attention to the underside or not. Some prefer just semigloss. These in the link below are chrome from the factory (Group 5), but I suppose you could chrome them also at a chrome shop...but ask about getting brittle as I believe they must be done a special way. Also, Pantera Proformance has stainless steel clips that you can put on, which look real nice. But either way, be prepared to be under the car polishing all the time with the chrome or stainless, which isn't bad, but draws attention from the neighbors. They can't help but shake their heads when you are polishing the underside of your car. See link below...the chrome really draws attention from neighbors.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/61629084/78946334IlOLbj

DOES200:

I'm not sure it's really that the neighbors are watching YOU polish the chrome under your Pantera. I think their tongues are falling out of their mouths for another reason.

Thank for the Post. CHROME IT IS!! I'm thoroughly CONVINCED!!!! Does she have a twin sister who wants to meet a guy with a White Pantera WITH CHROME A-ARMS & SWAY BAR????? Looks like you did that Photo Just to Answer My Question! COMPLETELY CONVINCING!!!! Thanks!

What a group of characters we are! Having a FUN life DOES200? Da**, I really gotta get my Pantera back together FAST!!

s/ Ron

They look great Does 200.
The car isn't bad either.

You are going to spend a small fortune on chrome, I just got my aluminum valve covers back and they were 250! Plus you are chroming 30 year old parts, I am saving my pennies for the full aluminum suspension from Wilkinson's http://www.panterasbywilkinson.com/main.html

Beautiful!! Nice "Bumpers"! Oh, and the A arms look great too.

The saying "He who dies with the most toys wins" (although I think it should be "he who Lives with the most toys wins" after all if you're dead the game is over) Anyway, DOES200 is out in the lead with his "TOYS"

Hey!! There is a car in that picture!

Does 200: I've seen youor car...it is the most beautiful Pantera in existance!

Thanks for the complements on my car. But getting back the purpose of this post, is to help Ron Norman in his decisions, since he asked opinions. I know he decided on chrome, but it may turn out to be expensive. I also like the stainless steel clips I got from Pantera Proformance. I think they look really great, and much cheaper than chrome. I included a link below to a photo. I think they actually look somewhat better than chrome, especially when highly polished.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/61629084/79457785yflEPn

Thanks again, DOES200!

I have decided that I'm going with gloss black A-Arms, with the Stainless Steel 'clip ons' like ORNG UFO. It's not a show car, and it'll be driven. I'll be happy to crawl on my belly to polish them up and detail my car's 'rear end' once in a while, as 'the need arises' just like you!

You're a character! Maybe you are thinking about a Pantera Calendar, for all of us to hang in our garages? Complete with the bikini babe in swim attire with colors coordinated to the Panteras' colors? I'd buy one and laugh at the things we do for fun, every day, and look forward to every new month! A sense of humor is always appreciated, and gets us through stressful times occasionally.

Thanks for getting a website so we can see your 'toys.' Keep us up to date with new photos once in a while! Maybe one of you on your belly with your polish and soft cotton towel! With the lady handing you fresh towels! Show us how it's done and all! That would be the April or May calendar photo, getting ready for Spring & Summer. 'Gonna be cruising by the beach, gotta look great' is my suggestion for the caption.

Your ORNG UFO made my computer's 'wallpaper' replacing Michael Murphy's GTS and Mike Dailey's maroon pre-L before that! The straight on view of the back from your gallery of Panteras. I decided to keep my Pantera's black trim below the condenser grill, by the exhaust outlet bodywork, based on that photo.

I get a kick out of all this. And a good laugh will make a guy feel better, with all the world's unexpected twist and turns. Your GT-5 and Calender Girl gave us all some fun thoughts! Hey, 'we love the curves, too,' not just the well placed chrome accents, Buddy!

I'm going with a chrome sway bar and apply 'Sterling' (silver/aluminum) color Jet-Hot Coating to the original Ansa exhausts. I adjusted my exhaust tips to 1.25" below the bumper, and I'm gonna modify the bumper so it sits closer to the body, making the exhaust system more easily visible from a position standing up close to the back of the car. The rear photo shots of Panteras' always are the best angle, IMHO. Shows the real business end of the Pantera, where the rubber meets the road. ZF, mid-engine, with the suspension mounted very close to the back of the machine, like some sophisticated racing machines from a few decades ago, and way ahead of today's vehicles, with a few exceptions.

Sort of says, this vehicle means business on the road! Highlights some of the important features and benefits of the Pantera. Design, engineering, purpose. Real factory headers, and minimal exhaust restriction. Low center of gravity. Etc. Technology, engineering, design. Art. Aerodynamics. Aesthetics.

I'm certain you'll appreciate that I'll be under each individual fender well for one (1) day per fender well, detailing them with flat black paint, after wire brusing, masking, etc. Good opportunity to get out the silt, dirt, and sand that has accumulated towards the body, wedged in there. Those areas are getting the black rust proofing treatment. Gotta preserve her aging for at least another thirty (30) years! The half shaft are getting cleaned and painted. Uprights too. Everything! The splash guards are off, and I noticed an aging rubber hose or two that have not been replaced going to the reservoir/overflow tanks, so another trip to Auto-Zone. Pennies, that will prevent an expensive tow sometime. No rust, except small traces, I'm happy to discover. Mostly just brushes off, orangy color that seeped up through cracks in the paint.

Yep, I'm getting to know this girl really well. My hot pantera's getting the same treatment that your hot Panteras' get, and like Mike Dailey's hot Pantera received. Just some long over due attention. Mike Dailey said it best: Pantera Fever. Got it, don't wanna get rid of it. My project list is getting shorter, and I'm thinking of next year's projects already.

Good to know guys like you, makes me feel a little more normal, in our exclusive, fanatical, obsessive way that only we understand! Yep, my neighbors laugh too! Just don't get it! But I do, and so do others on this Forum! I feel great about life! The rewards after the accomplishments! That's why we put forth the effort in the beginning anyway, right?

Thanks again DOES200. I get a good laugh once in a while from the Posts on this Bulletin Board. Bravo. Ciao, Brother! Have fun!!

Ron

quote:

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Originally posted by AGROVADR:
I had mine done in Black chrome, looks great

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Wow. I saw it on the PI cars for sale page. Top right.

Black chrome does look great. Lots of fun!

Thought about advertizing it in the DuPont Registry or Robb Report?

quote:

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Originally posted by ron norman:
You're a character! Maybe you are thinking about a Pantera Calendar, for all of us to hang in our garages? Complete with the bikini babe in swim attire with colors coordinated to the Panteras' colors? I'd buy one and laugh at the things we do for fun, every day, and look forward to every new month! A sense of humor is always appreciated, and gets us through stressful times occasionally.

Ron [/B]

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Ron, actually POCA has a nice new calendar... link below. However, no babe neighbors are in the photos that I can see from my copy. But good publication nonetheless.
http://www.panteraclub.com/store/cal2003_4_ad.html

quote:

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Originally posted by DOES 200:
Ron, actually POCA has a nice new calendar... link below. However, no babe neighbors are in the photos that I can see from my copy. But good publication nonetheless.

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DOES200,

I saw that. I just got my POCA issues for June & July yesterday. (New membership, sorta let the membership lapse in 1999) Along w/ 2 glossy issues. I'm gonna order it. I have been on ebay and bought every Pantera advertisement ever published. I had the Camel Contest ad from a PLAYBOY magazine on my bedroom wall when I was a kid of 16 years old. It was there on my bedroom wall every day until I graduated college @ age 23. It got lost and now I have another. I'm gonna make my garage look like a DeTomaso Pantera dealer showroom floor. Only my Pantera won't be for sale! But the nice thing is I can have a new Pantera to look at every morning as I leave to face the world's stresses and problems and again as I come home from "doing battle in the real world" so thanks for pointing the new 18 month calendar out. I was wondering if there'd be photo of you on your belly polishing up your
shiny A-arms! I'm sorta dissappointed! We gotta spice things up some with a little humor and some bikini models in swim attire that color coordinates with the Pantera-of-the-Month's color, don't you think?

Shiny hi-tech material color bikinis w/the GT-5's & normal stretchy material bikinis color matched to the older Panteras, OR at least a shot of DOES200 and ron norman on their bellies polishing their Pantera's suspensions! I think so! Who do we gotta talk to around here?

(Grinnin' now)

s/ Ron

quote:

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Originally posted by ron norman:
DOES200,

I had the Camel Contest ad from a PLAYBOY magazine on my bedroom wall when I was a kid of 16 years old. It was there on my bedroom wall every day until I graduated college @ age 23. It got lost and now I have another. We gotta spice things up some with a little humor and some bikini models in swim attire that color coordinates with the Pantera-of-the-Month's color, don't you think?

Shiny hi-tech material color bikinis w/the GT-5's & normal stretchy material bikinis color matched to the older Panteras, OR at least a shot of DOES200 and ron norman on their bellies polishing their Pantera's suspensions! I think so! Who do we gotta talk to around here?

(Grinnin' now)

s/ Ron

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Ron, aaah yes the Playboy Pantera photo. Is that the Pink Pantera one? Well, better than photos of us on our bellies as you mention above, here are a couple more for your viewing pleasure:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/61629084/82832693sKFVQo
http://community.webshots.com/photo/61629084/82829474fSkkyq

DOES200, now that I'm all dirty, grimy and dusty from putting my final 2 A-arms on in rear (went on much easier thanthe fron A-arms) and I coolin' down before attaching the half shafts to the disks and wondering whether I shoulda' put the half shafts in backward as jack DeRyke mentioned to reduce unsprung weight & allow more clearance for the exhaust, WELL, NOW I'M wondering if I shoulda not told my girlfriend to just stay home tonite since she's gotta work tomorrow (and what I didn't say is that it's more important to me to get my Pantera back together than try and get to sleep early on account of her schedule... So,I hope she's not-a-gonna see this little post/thread)

Makes me wonder whats DOES200 BEEN UP TO that he's shootin' photos of MY EX-GIRLFRIENDS in close proximity to his and his friends Panteras??????

Atta-Boy DOES-200, you're an on-your-toes kinda guy, or is that an on-the-ball kinda guy, WAIT, since those are my X-es we're talkin' 'bout, better not gossip!!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ron norman:
[B]DOES200, I shoulda' put the half shafts in backward as jack DeRyke mentioned to reduce unsprung weight & allow more clearance for the exhaust.

Can't you now just switch the half shafts? If you are worried about the exhaust hitting the � shafts, then maybe take a look at where your exhaust travels first (logical, but an easy thing to forget until it is done). On one of my cars I have the shafts one way and on the other I have it the opposite. Getting that smaller part of the � shaft where the exhaust pipe goes sure helps prevent (somewhat) denting in the exhaust pipe when jacking the car up.