<VV> Re: VirtualVairs digest, Vol 1 #1587 - 8 msgs

[Taruffi57@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/7/2005 4:09:31 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
virtualvairs-request@corvair.org writes:

Subject:  <VV> Re:  Pantera


( "I can vouch for it's ability to exceed 180" )
 
Having recently FINALLY divested myself of a '72 Pantera which I owned for  
24 yrs., I think it is safe to say that I can offer some realworld insight  
into Allesandro's most well known commercial effort. Let me say that I had  a big 
Hall radiator w/3rd fan, improved A/C, Koni's, Recaro seats and a  
pro-built/modified 351 Ford which included a good Edelbrock intake,  650 dbl. pumper 
Holley and Hall Big-Bore exhaust.  In 24 yrs., I only drove  it 33,000 miles.  
Why?  Because I can't remember any time when it did  not have something wrong 
with it which diminished the pleasure of enjoying it's  strongest characteristic 
-- awesome acceleration from OVER 100 mph.   Incidentally, stock '72 Panteras 
would pull 143 mph.  I believe mine would  get to near 160 as I could 
considerably exceed stock rev limit.  The  car was rock solid at it's highest speeds. 
 HOWEVER, it had several  recurring problems - some for 24 yrs. (a) it could 
not be driven in Florida stop  & go traffic even with cooling improvements, 
(b) it was VERY reluctant to  warm crank except during the winter(wife finally 
refused to ride in it due to  having to help me push it off (3,200#) so many 
times - more than once in plain  view of patrons in nice restaurants), (c) the 
clutch master & slave  cylinders failed several times, (d) `various gauges 
either failed or gave  laughable readings, 
(e) the ZF could not be rushed but was as strong as a John Deere  
trans.....come to think of it, it probably belonged in a John Deere, (f) clutch  would 
sometimes not disengage (g) the car ALWAY had MASSIVE heat in the cockpit,  (h) 
wipers were virtually useless over 30 mph   (I) I could  have defrosted the 
windshield more efficiently with a good bean fart, (j) water  got in it,(k) 
pop-up headlights gave trouble for 24 yrs. and most frustrating in  Florida 7 
month summers was the BAD joke that the A/C system was.   "Sauna-on-Wheels" should 
have been the sub-heading right under the word  Pantera on all factory 
literature & ad copy. I think my highly  Pantera knowledgable mechanic said there is 
something like 18 ft. of freon hoses  on a Pantera and many connections.  
Have you ever had freon blow in a  closed cockpit - filling the cabin with a 
thick gray cloud?   But  worst of all, was the fact that the difference between 
what I put into it in 24  yrs. and what I ultimately got for it, exceeded 
$65,000.  Talk about being  upside down!!!!!
 
What was positive about the car?  Well, it could obliterate virtually  
anything on the street.
Sounded fabulous.  Attracted the ladies like flys (including my wife -  
uhhh... 24 yrs., my junior) and nailing it at any speed produced  uncontrollable 
laughing - especially in 5th from about 120.
 
As for a Pantera pulling 180, I can't accurately calculate the revs which  
would be necessary to do that but I believe it's a little over 8000.  How  long 
will a Cleveland Ford live at 8,000+ revs?  Actually, I wouldn't mind  having 
another one if someone else spent the $40,000 necessary to put one right  and 
make it look good.....that's AFTER purchase price of the car.
 
Joe Dunlap (Mr. PocketRocket)
Florida
'64 convert, 110/PG, A/C
'69 500 Coupe, 140+/4, A/C (street/autocross comb. in progress)
'74 Alfa GTV2000
'81 Renault R5 Turbo (w/some race parts)
'84 Honda CRX 4WD (dual Accord engines/auto.)--(ex Car & Driver)
'02 MB C230 Kompressor)
'98 Explorer
'96 Saturn Coupe (ex-motorhome "toad")