DeTomaso Mailing List: March 99, Message #124

Dom wrote:

[snip]

A few questions to those in the know about correct stock interior parts

>1) What should the screws for the centre panel on the dash look like on a 74
(I have old woodtype  screws), there is a mention on the PPC parts list of
knurled type (as mentioned by a DTDC member) but it's not too clear

>>>Contrary to what you read earlier, there were TWO totally different types
of screws used on the '71-74 Panteras.  Early cars, with the two-pod
dashboard, used a beautiful but obviously expensive knurled screw intended to
be tightened with finger and thumb.

The Ford bean-counters cheapened the Pantera all over the place when the
switch to the L-model came about, and thus Panteras with the later-style
dashboard (V-shaped instrument pod) had conventional phillips-head countersunk
machine screws, looked VERY crude indeed.  They were black oxide type, not
silver.

The early cars instrument panel was flat sheetmetal covered with vinyl, while
the later cars had a molded plastic panel with countersunk holes to accept the
screws.  So if you attempt to put early screws in a late dash (which is what I
plan to do) there may be some minor problems.  And late screws on an early
dash will not work at ALL.

>2) Do any vendors have original roof lining kits or materials?

>>>There have been a couple of answers to this already, but here's the
Straight Poop.  The So-Cal vendors have local upholstery shops that generate
very nice, but NOT original headliners.  Marino Perna (Pantera East) is the
ONLY USA vendor with genuine (albeit diluted) Italian blood running through
his veins, and he has been able to capitalize upon this on his trips to Italy.
He discovered the original Pantera interior trim supplier was still in
business, and in fact even had brand new, original headliner material in
stock.  

Marino bought a boatload (just the vinyl) and then brought it to the USA, had
it cut to the appropriate shape for Pantera applications, then had USA foam
backing applied.  He sells them on the east coast, and Larry Stock made a deal
to purchase them in bulk and market them on the west coast.  I don't know if
any other vendors (including So-Cal crew) also are purchasing them from Marino
now--only way to know for sure is to ask Marino!


>3) Did  the door panels come with any speaker grills/holes?

>>>Nope.  Vendors usually have a few NOS door panels without holes lying
around, and they want big bucks for them.  A fellow up in Oregon (a few months
ago) posted a list of parts for sale, including an NOS L-model dash, and NOS
door panels (uncut.)  I think he wanted $250 apiece for them or something.

>4) I have a sticking throttle cable, once again the PPC parts list mentions
a double return spring anyone used this?

>>>You probably shouldn't attempt to fix a problem (bad cable) with a band-aid
(big-ass spring.)  Probably new cable time.  Modern cables are VERY
sophisticated, and even incorporate a built-in return spring.  Prices are all
over the map--some vendors sell them for only about $60, while other vendors
purchase them at full retail and then turn around and sell them with their
customary markup, winds up costing their customers $90 or more.  Pays to shop
around sometimes!

I think Dennis Quella (Colorado) has them fairly inexpensively--they go on
sale at times for under $60.  That reminds me--I gotta get me one of those!

Also, it's been mentioned before but bears repeating--the stock throttle cable
mounting bracket (on the front of the engine) is designed for the Ford
carburetor, and will NOT work correctly with a Holley due to different
geometry.  Lots of people running around with Holleys that won't open fully
because of it.  The factory fix is a stupid bent piece of steel that costs $86
or something stupid like that.  Most USA vendors make their own and sell them
for $20 or something much more reasonable.

Cheers!

Mike