De Tomaso Pantera replica?
Discussion
It just occurred to me - has anyone produced, or currently produce, a Pantera replica kit?
It seems odd to me that with the popularity of Countach kits in the 80s, no-one tried a Pantera as well. Not to mention, since the original used a small block Ford, it would be possible to build a reasonably authentic car.
Anyone know of one? Or anyone want to start producing one and give me the first kit in lieu of payment for the idea?
It seems odd to me that with the popularity of Countach kits in the 80s, no-one tried a Pantera as well. Not to mention, since the original used a small block Ford, it would be possible to build a reasonably authentic car.
Anyone know of one? Or anyone want to start producing one and give me the first kit in lieu of payment for the idea?
Since you can buy a real one for less than it would cost you to build a replica, would there be any point?
edited to add:
although, now I come to think of it, didn't Carlton - manufacturer of a particularly bad 'utility' kit called the Commander(?) and a strange sort of E-type/240Z hybrid GT called the Carrera - try back in the late '80's? I believe they called it the 'Montana', and it bombed...I very much doubt that any were actually sold.
edited to add:
although, now I come to think of it, didn't Carlton - manufacturer of a particularly bad 'utility' kit called the Commander(?) and a strange sort of E-type/240Z hybrid GT called the Carrera - try back in the late '80's? I believe they called it the 'Montana', and it bombed...I very much doubt that any were actually sold.
Edited by Sam_68 on Sunday 2nd July 16:59
In answer to the question yes, kind of! www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=269904&f=30&h=0&hw=pantera
Any Pantera actually worth owning wpuld cost considerably more than the build cost (if it was available) which I would guess would equate to a cob build - and for once you'd actually have the right engine!!
Any Pantera actually worth owning wpuld cost considerably more than the build cost (if it was available) which I would guess would equate to a cob build - and for once you'd actually have the right engine!!
smash said:
Any Pantera actually worth owning would cost considerably more than the build cost
Dunno about that... reasonably smart genuine Panteras typically seems to sell for between £20K and £25K, from the few I've seen on the market. I seem to recall a very smart, restored lime green early Pantera selling for just under £20K not so long ago, and here's an example from our very own Pistonheads Classifieds. Admittedly asking price for GT5's tends to be higher (£30-£40K, though I have seen one very optomistically priced example being marketed for, IIRC £69K), but which would you rather have parked on your drive, a genuine early Pantera or a fake GT5?
I'd suggest that cost of a decent kit, due to the mid-engine configuration, would be closer to GT40/Countach/Ultima territory than Cobra, so would be pushing £30K.
Pantera's have special needs though, non engine related costs can be very high and that ZF transaxle...
The Montana was a GT5 rip - mid blue colour, I have a pic of it somewhere from Stoneleigh.
Fake GT5 or real early Pantera - tough call, I do like the GT5 but i see what you're saying - The irony is quite a few early Panteras have been GT5'd anyway.
Maybe there's a gap for something Pantera inspired or a modernised GT5 or group 4?
The Montana was a GT5 rip - mid blue colour, I have a pic of it somewhere from Stoneleigh.
Fake GT5 or real early Pantera - tough call, I do like the GT5 but i see what you're saying - The irony is quite a few early Panteras have been GT5'd anyway.
Maybe there's a gap for something Pantera inspired or a modernised GT5 or group 4?
For what it's worth, I have a set of molds to produce ( and I do hand build them ) full body kits. Basic kit is a faithfull reproduction of a 1972 Pantera. I also have molds for large wheel wells, front airdams, etc.
The "plug" or prototype car, from which the molds was produced has been shown at the Las Vegas annual Pantera gathering and well recieved, as well as written up in the Pantera International magazine.
I'm currently finishing up remotoring the prototype with an LT1 engine. The daily driver I'm also building for myself has a crate Cadillac 4.9.
David Breeze
The "plug" or prototype car, from which the molds was produced has been shown at the Las Vegas annual Pantera gathering and well recieved, as well as written up in the Pantera International magazine.
I'm currently finishing up remotoring the prototype with an LT1 engine. The daily driver I'm also building for myself has a crate Cadillac 4.9.
David Breeze
You see this is what I don't get about many replicas - you're saying a genuine example with the history and the pedigree can be had for £20k. To create a replica with a steel spaceframe, as per the original and a decent mid mounted V8 installation would be what, a minimum of £19,999. I can understand it with £250,000 worth of GT40 or £500,000 of D-type, but anyone who could afford to build a convincing Pantera replica would be only be the cost of forsaking a few nights out away from affording an original.
I understand where you'r at, and I hear that a lot.
I'm not sure about currency equivalants, but on Ebay you can pick up a "running" Pantera for between $20,000 and $40,000.
That gets you in the door.
Now you are looking at rebuilding the transmission-- $7,000 last time I checked. Why? Let me assure you that even if the Pantera has low mileage, and most do, they were hard driven miles.
And now you need to at least rebuild the motor or even throw in an upgrade. Your talking $15,000 to $20,000. Look at the high end Panteras on Ebay, and what money they have spent on restoration.
And now you can deal with the rusted out body (pre undercoating days) and get a nivce frame off restoration and paint job and reupholstery job.
Obviously, you have to draw the line somewhere, I'm just looking at what has been done and folks are trying to sell.
Or you can pick up a clean, rust free, running Fiero, throw in a Cadillac Northstar or Chevy LS1, a custom leather upholstery, and a rebody kit, for @ $20,000 to $25,000. And still have chump change to take the wife on a few cruises to the Bahamas, or whatever.
And then there are those guys who just plain like to build. Look at the EAA. I've built, FAA certified, flown, and eventually sold three airplanes before I got into doing cars.
http://members.aol.com/viking300a/FrameSet1.html
BTW, This whole project was started because a guy who wanted a Pantera was too tall to fit in one. Ever set in one? Most people find their knees up in the steering wheel or worse. A 6' + guy can't even shut the door. The Fiero roofline is 2" taller than the Pantera.
David Breeze
I'm not sure about currency equivalants, but on Ebay you can pick up a "running" Pantera for between $20,000 and $40,000.
That gets you in the door.
Now you are looking at rebuilding the transmission-- $7,000 last time I checked. Why? Let me assure you that even if the Pantera has low mileage, and most do, they were hard driven miles.
And now you need to at least rebuild the motor or even throw in an upgrade. Your talking $15,000 to $20,000. Look at the high end Panteras on Ebay, and what money they have spent on restoration.
And now you can deal with the rusted out body (pre undercoating days) and get a nivce frame off restoration and paint job and reupholstery job.
Obviously, you have to draw the line somewhere, I'm just looking at what has been done and folks are trying to sell.
Or you can pick up a clean, rust free, running Fiero, throw in a Cadillac Northstar or Chevy LS1, a custom leather upholstery, and a rebody kit, for @ $20,000 to $25,000. And still have chump change to take the wife on a few cruises to the Bahamas, or whatever.
And then there are those guys who just plain like to build. Look at the EAA. I've built, FAA certified, flown, and eventually sold three airplanes before I got into doing cars.
http://members.aol.com/viking300a/FrameSet1.html
BTW, This whole project was started because a guy who wanted a Pantera was too tall to fit in one. Ever set in one? Most people find their knees up in the steering wheel or worse. A 6' + guy can't even shut the door. The Fiero roofline is 2" taller than the Pantera.
David Breeze
That predator kit looks for like the early 90's 200i and not a GT5S clone:
Arches started with the GTS cars then progressed through the GT5 and finally the one piece steel rear wing cars known as GT5S.
Early 70's LHD Panteras can be had for £12-15K but you get what you pay for! Check for tin worm!
£20-30K will no longer get you a 'decent' GT5 or GT5S. The market seems to be finally waking up to the fact that these cars are no worse than many an Italian supercar and in fact can work out considerably less expensive to maintain due to their Ford running gear.
Don't worry about the ZF's, especially the later versions - they're German and bullet proof.
I would shy away from an early car if you're looking for one unless it's all you can afford.
Phil
79 De Tomaso Longchamp GTS
Arches started with the GTS cars then progressed through the GT5 and finally the one piece steel rear wing cars known as GT5S.
Early 70's LHD Panteras can be had for £12-15K but you get what you pay for! Check for tin worm!
£20-30K will no longer get you a 'decent' GT5 or GT5S. The market seems to be finally waking up to the fact that these cars are no worse than many an Italian supercar and in fact can work out considerably less expensive to maintain due to their Ford running gear.
Don't worry about the ZF's, especially the later versions - they're German and bullet proof.
I would shy away from an early car if you're looking for one unless it's all you can afford.
Phil
79 De Tomaso Longchamp GTS
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