DeTomaso Mailing List: June 2000, Message #75

Hi guys,

I got a letter in the mail today from PCNC member Jay Leone with information 
about, and a (very, very poor) photo of, his Pantera for sale:

1972 GT5-S (sic--it's actually GT5-spec minus the front air dam) DeTomaso 
Pantera, THPNMR02761 (Pre-L)  Steel flares, Silver white pearl and gold.  
Owned since 1972.  25,000 miles, completely updated by Hall Pantera.  
Original engine, blue-printed and balanced.  Super electronic ignition system 
with high-performance curve and 60,000 volt coil.  6800 RPM redline.  Super 
Stopper brakes (I believe he actually has the Super Stopper II, the full-on 
system, not the street-based system), braided lines.  Super dual master 
cylinder.  Special rack and pinion steering with brass bushings, and all 
aircraft fittings.  Super Hall shocks adjust ride and height.  Racing 
radiator--does not heat up.  Sanyo air conditioning.  Air louvers on side to 
rear brakes (NOT!)  Italia engraved custom leather seats.  Heater shut-off 
valves.  Stainless steel water pipes.  Coated suspension black.  Polyurethane 
suspension bushings and impregnated with graphite and grease fittings.  NO 
squeaks.  U-joints wiht grease fittings.  800 hp gold half shafts.  Camber 
lock kit (holds alignment)  Electric brake lock.  NO large hand brake.  Alarm 
system.  LED rear light.  3-spoke racing steering wheel.  Original mufflers 
with 4 ports.  Rear mounted radio aerial in engine compartment.  Rear tinted 
glass.  Bumpers are baked gold.  Rims are baked gold with spin-offs as 
knock-offs.  Tires are Bridgestone front 275/40-17, rear 335/35-17 like new.  
Overall in mint condition.  Very, very smooth ride.  All mods by Hall 
Pantera.  Bought a Bonanza aircraft.  No smog and pay no DMV licence fee 
(Huh?  How's that????)

Invested $80,000 (THAT I believe fully!); sacrifice $40,000.  Jay Leone, 
(415) 461-3372, or LeoneJay@aol.com

Here's a photo:

http://members.aol.com/mikeldrew/JayPantera.jpg

I have seen this car (and met the owner) exactly once--back in 1996 I think 
it was.  This is a very, VERY nice car.  Although this car is not to my 
particular taste (it's sort of a typical Hall Pantera L.A. hot-rod show car 
as opposed to a pure Italian thoroughbred exotic), I have no doubt that this 
would be a very fast, very fun and very refined car to drive.  From what I 
recall, it's fitted with some varient of Hall Pantera Ultra wheel (one of the 
earlier styles, as opposed to the ones he's introduced in the past year or 
two) powdercoated gold, as are the bumpers.  The front fender flares are 
shaved and smoothly roll in to join the bodywork, much like the "Pantera GT5 
Custom" featured in "Panteras For The Road."

If this is the kind of car that you dream about, realize that the cost to 
build such a car is easily double what it's actually "worth" on the open 
market.  Even if there are elements that might not be to your liking, you're 
still WAY better off buying a car like this and tweaking it, as opposed to 
starting from scratch with a bone-stock car and trying to bring it to this 
level.

My impression of the owner is that he's a nice, sincere guy who really 
doesn't know a whole lot about Panteras in general, or even his car 
specifically.  I think he's somewhat typical of Hall's high-end customers--a 
guy who speaks in generalities (and with an open checkbook) and allows Hall 
free reign to make him happy.  Mission accomplished--Jay has been really 
happy with this car, but (he says and I believe him) he's getting on in years 
and is attempting to sell his toys before he's too old to enjoy them (and 
before they become a burden to somebody else.)

He said that he might try to make it to the tech session at my house on 
Sunday, since I told him there would be several prospective buyers there.  If 
he makes it, I'll attempt to get more/better photos and conduct a thorough 
inspection of the car, and will generate a report for y'all....

Cheers!

Mike