DeTomaso Mailing List: August 97, Message #125
     



From: Kevin Ternes <jkternes@mindspring.com>

Subject: Drove my first Pantera today

Date: Mon, 04 Aug 1997 23:03:51 -0400



Hello all;



It was 1981.  At the age of sixteen I was reading through a stack of

Ford enthusiast magazines and saw a photo of the what had to be the

hottest looking car I'd ever seen.  You guessed it: A Pantera!  Even

though I was a diehard Mustang fan at the time (and an owner of a `67

hardtop) I must admit that I had impure thoughts which surely would have

made Carroll Shelby blush.  This car's styling easily put down that of

the Machs, the Boss's, the GT-350/500s and even the GT40s elsewhere in

the magazine.  Once I read that the car was powered by the 351C, I was

hooked!



A few months later I finally saw one at a local gas station.  I made a

promise to myself.  I said right then and there, "One day, I'll own that

car."  This statement seemed to make the driver of the car a bit

uncomfortable as he was cleaning his windshield.



I'll be 32 this week and "one day" may be soon since my student loans

for two master's degrees are getting paid off and my income is quickly

rising.  Last week I saw a 72 Pantera on a used import car lot and

recalled the promise that I had made to myself.  I stopped in and had a

look.



Today I finally drove it.  Wow!  Whatta blast!  What an outrageous

exhaust note!  Those are some wide tires, aren't they!  I don't remember

those 351C's in Mach I's pulling so hard.  Yes.  I'll be making good on

that promise very soon.  I didn't realize what it would be like to not

have anyplace to put my left foot while driving and it is a bit cramped

for my six feet but I can get used to it.



This car is a 72.  I couldn't find any rust.   The dealer claims it is a

Group 4 car.  It has the super wide tires/flares and the wing.  Can

anyone tell me how can I tell if it's a Group 4 car for sure?



I'm not saying I'm gonna buy that particular Pantera.  I probably need

to do some research first but I'm definitely in the market.



See ya!



-jkt



-- 

Kevin Ternes

mailto:jkternes@mindspring.com



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