DeTomaso Mailing List: September 97, Message #209
     



From: brockctella@juno.com (Brock C Tella)

Subject: Re: Kruse Auction results

Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 18:29:51 -0700



Its a bastard, and the factory has never given a shit about the owners.

On Fri, 5 Sep 97 11:57:37 PDT pantera@shiseis.com (Shane F. Ingate)

writes:

>	> While the condition of the referenced Panteras was not 

>described, it just

>	> strikes me that overall these cars are still bargain priced. 

> Does anyone in

>	> Pantera Land understand why these limited production, 

>essentially hand built

>	> exotics are not bringing more on the "block"?  Thanks

>

>Maybe I did not see it, but I think I was the only one who received

>this message, as you addressed it to pantera@shiseis.com rather than 

>detomaso@wgate.com.

>

>I'm not sure what the reason is, but lots of suggestions are 

>debateable:

>

>	1) Ferraris are fashion statements like Gucci watches, but 

>dont keep time

>	   any better than a Timex.

>	2) Maserati have a substantial factory history, like Alfa, 

>which goes back

>	   to the dawn of automobiles.  The more recent an entrant to 

>the car arena

>	   (like DeTomaso) the less importance.  Lambo must fint in 

>somewhere else.

>	3) Hybrids (American heart, Italian clothes) dont command as 

>much attention

>	   as 100% Chianti.

>	4) After the Ford years, DeTomaso advertising has been very 

>poor, very

>	   low budget.  Compare with Ferrari advertizing budget (F1 

>racing budget!)

>	5) Significant race results.  No matter that a Ferrari at a 

>club event

>	   will get blown into the weeds by any rice-rocket, its 

>television

>	   coverage of major events and personalities that counts.

>	6) Prices of parts and $$/hour by "qaulified factory" 

>mechanics,

>	   whereas anyone who can differentiate a box spanner from a 

>	   drill-press can work on a Pantera.

>	7) The hybrids sound like most American V8s (everywhere).  The 

>big-$$ exotics

>	   whine with V/flat 12s, flat-crank V8s, o/head cams, 

>multiple carbs.  Different sound.

>	8) Association with "society personalities"; hero and 

>folk-lore worship.

>	   As sick as it may sound, MB sales will probably increase 

>after Princess Di's

>	   accident last Saturday.

>	9) Big-$$ exotics exude a "dont touch" aroma.  Panteras smell 

>of

>	   pre-sex sweat that says "mount me and drive me, hard".

>	10) Look at any Fearri Club meeting; most people roll up 

>dressed

>	   in suits, have copies of Wall St Week and GQ in their 

>briefcases,

>           and have personal mechanics.  Pantera CLub meetings

>	   are much less formal, mots members dressed casuallly with 

>grease under their

>	   fingernails and the latest issue of "Ford Performance" 

>rolled up in their

>	   rear pocket.

>	11) Its a marketing thing; some people are making a lot of 

>money out of big-$$

>	   exotics from some very stupid people.

>

>I really dont know the answer. But then again I dont really care.

>I'm just glad that the best car on the road was affordable at a 

>bargain-basement price!

>

>	Shane Ingate in San Diego

>



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