ZF ID# Matches VIN?

I am pretty sure (anyone out there correct me if I am wrong) There are no numbers on the trans that will match up with the Vin. The motor number has its own tag to ID it with the car, but not the trans.

quote:

Are the Pantera transaxles supposed to have a matching number plate to the vehicle's VIN if they are original to the car?

No, they do not match. Some cars (like my '71) did not have a motor number or motor ID tag.

John

The Provamo registry collects and summarizes the various ID numbers that are found on Pantera components. There are others, the Bill Van Ess registry among them.

Perhaps one of the legit PO's of your car forwarded that information for recording. That might allow you to demonstrate the ZF is original to the car.

I don't know if there is such a reference - VIN to transmission. In documents I have submitted to various registry sites, I never include the ZF#, only the chassis # and motor #.

My ZF number is shown on Chuck's Provamo Pantera Registry - don't know if they are sequenced though?

The Full VIN : THPNND06791
The Model Year : 1974
The Model : Pantera L
The Market : USA
The Build Date : 1/1/1974
Rear Plate Panel Size : Narrow
Deck lid Type : Ridged
Drive Side : LHD
Rear Wing or Spoiler : None
The Engine Type : 351C
Reported Mileage : 67,788 Mi.
Body Service Number : 52429
The short VIN : 6791
The Motor Number : 5877
Does Block # Match : True
Transaxle Number : 8710
The Original Color : Red
The Current Color : Red
The Interior Color : Black
The Condition : Original and Restored
Front Wheel Diameter : 15
Rear Wheel Diameter : 15
Front Wheel Width : 7
Rear Wheel Width : 8
Front Tires : Michelin XWX 185/70
Rear Tires : Michelin XWX 225/70
State of Ownership : NSW
Country of Ownership : Australia

FWIW- as far as I know, the ZF serial # is 'of interest' but is not sequential nor mentioned anywhere in the original sales or shipping papers, and isn't on any of the various tags rivited to the body. There are actually TWO different numbers- one stamped on the top of the rear tranny case and the other on the riveted ZF tag. The numbers do not match in the two locations. In addition, most of the 150 or so early '71 type 1-1/2 ZFs (Lloyd Butfoy's authoritative description of these transition ZFs) used in pushbuttons were changed out by Ford-USA free. These ZFs used a Pantera diff case combined with a Mangusta transmission and gearing. The low-geared boxes with a 351-C encouraged over-revving even with the OEM hydraulic lifters and cam. Its' 4.50:1 ring & pinion gave shattering acceleration but only about 135 mph top end @ 5900 rpm (valve float) in 5th. Combined with the small unbaffled oil pans used, the results were engine warranty problems for Ford, who then replaced and scrapped every early ZF they could find- even in gray-market cars privately imported from Europe. There are stories of large mounds of these early ZFs waiting for the scrap-metal trucks to come haul them away. The few that are left have virtually no spare parts available, as many internal pieces were Mangusta-specific or modifications to that ZF, properly termed a 'type 1'. Ford ordered one spare ZF type-2 for every 10 cars sold, and later found the ZF to be the strongest, most dependable part of the Pantera. All the factory replacement ZFs had no stamped number. An unknown number have been used in Panteras and many kit cars, and they still turn up occasionally for sale.

Bottom line: the ZF 'serial' is not part of a 'numbers-matching' Pantera.

quote:

There are actually TWO different numbers- one stamped on the top of the rear tranny case and the other on the riveted ZF tag. The numbers do not match in the two locations.

These match.

John