What size of wheels for a race Pantera ?

The original homologation papers from 1972 listed 10" x 15" fronts and 13"x 15" rears. In '72 when the car was being actively raced, 16" wheels were only on trucks and 17"s did not exist except for motorcycles. I also believe the DeTomaso factory never attempted to re-homolologate the Pantera as DeTomaso seemed to lose the urge (or perhaps couldn't afford) to sponsor race cars about then, and Ford was convinced early-on by Carroll Smith and a few others that it could not be easily made into a viable racer, so they never bothered. In about '76 or so, Gr-4 was modified by the FIA into Gr-5 with slightly looser rules. But the cars from that era still ran 15" wheels, as no real race tires for bigger diameters were being built until much later. The rules for today's Vintage racers are much different than for the original GR-4/GT-4s.

Thanks for the info.

Unfortunately it's the answer I expected.

So I'll have to settle with 16" rims because regulations over here are very strict and allow only one inch larger then originally homologated.

Carlo,
I never heard that 1" larger stuff . Is it FIA homologated ?
GR5 cars like my Candy car were using 16 inch while in GR5 trim.

Pat,

These are the Bravo regulations.

As you know, I don't intend to race FIA races.

If FIA get's a hold of my car, I'm afraid they will conficate it.

To many "not time period" features

Hi all, I just read this and can advise as follows:

Per annex J of 74 (and likely 72), in groups 2 and 4, you may use any diameter wheels you want provided:
1- they are the same front and back
2- They stay within the body's perimeter (they don't stand out of the body).

Some national regulations for classic races make up their own rules. But if you race under annex K (FIA sanctioned period correct), you should be able to use 16 or even 17 inch diameter, there is nothing in annex J that says otherwise.

In 72 some race teams were experimenting 16 inch (Ford Cologne as an example), and in 73 it was common. So if Ford Cologne used 16 inch diameter in group 2 in 72, which is 3 inches more than the homologation file's 13 inch, the regulations allowed it and you should be fine with 16 or 17 inch.

I don't think they confiscate cars at races, maybe you could get disqualified, or fined at the most...


Good luck

Checkout articles 260 and 253 in 1971 here: http://www.fia.com/sport/regul...ns/histappjregs.html