DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #11
     



From: MikeLDrew@aol.com

Subject: Pedals, cars for sale...

Date: Sat, 1 Feb 1997 14:51:46 -0500 (EST)



Hello Andy,



A few thoughts regarding pedals, seats, etc.



1)  All Pantera floorpans were basically the same, i.e. there was no lowering

on '74 cars.  Some later cars (i.e. GT5, GT5-S) may have had lowered floors,

perhaps as a custom option from the factory.  Don't know about those.



2)  One reason one could experience gas/brake pedal interference is the fact

that the kick panel intrudes quite a bit towards the gas pedal, causing the

right foot to drift over towards the brake.  Although I haven't tackled that

particular challenge yet, very soon I intend to install the interior in my

Pantera (!) and when I do, one of the first things I'll do is attempt to

alter the contour of that center panel, away from the gas pedal.



3)  Regarding moving the pedals forward:  One of the neatest things I've ever

seen was a fellow who's Pantera pedal assembly had been moved a full 2-3

inches forward.  This was done simply by installing a thick aluminum spacer

where the pedal assembly bolts to the car, on the inside of the front trunk

compartment.  It effectively moved the pedals, booster and master cylinders

foward.  I'm not quite sure how it would have worked, though, since when I

drove my car the clutch and throttle seemed close to bottoming out, and

moving them forward might result in them hitting the floor before allowing

full release of the clutch and/or full throttle.



Come to think of it, I think that spacer was in Mike Coffel's beautiful '71

pushbutton before it was restored.  Like I said, it's been years since I saw

it.  Mike, do us a favor and give us more info (I've cc'd a copy of this to

him.)



4)  The seats Shane was talking about were made by an outfit called Scheel.

Don't know if they're still around.



5)  Finally, regarding cars for sale.  I don't know where you're located, but

I'm presuming you're a member of PI and/or POCA.  If you're looking for info,

you should belong to both.



Some of the best deals can be found by word-of-mouth, though.  I know of a

beautiful '72 Pre-L, yellow, basically completely stock with only minor mods

(I think it might even have the stock air cleaner) for sale down in San

Diego.  Alan Foster is selling this car, but isn't aggressively marketing it.

The price is going to be very fair, I suspect.  (619) 448-0420.  He's also

got tons and tons of parts (three or four different sets of wheels, for

example) and you could probably make a deal to buy the car optioned out to

suit your tastes (although personally I'd take it more or less as-is.)



If you're anywhere in his neighborhood, you owe it to yourself to check it

out!



Mike Drew

San Francisco, CA