DeTomaso Mailing List: July 2000, Message #84

Hi guys,

Presented as a public service...

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

Many people are in the market for Panteras and hear all the horror stories 
about chassis rust, but aren't really sure what it looks like, or where to 
find it.  Here is a compilation of six photographs of a rusty Pantera (not 
mine--mine was worse!)  This car has MAJOR chassis rust which has seriously 
impacted its structural integrity--this car is unfit for the road in its 
current state.  Only after comprehensive repairs have been conducted would I 
consider setting foot in this particular car--fortunately said repairs are 
well underway and should be complete in the next few months.

The top left photo shows the driver's side inner wheel house, with the rusty 
portions cut out for replacement.  Top right shows the chassis rail 
underneath, which was seriously compromised by water trapped in the inner 
wheelhouse tubes and layered sheet metal.  The remaining four photos show 
different views of the cut-out piece.  Note that the tubes are so thrashed, 
that it would be fairly simple to crush them with your bare hands.

THIS is the single most important place to seek out rust in any Pantera, 
whether you own it or are considering buying it.  Although it's a fair bit of 
work to repair, it's not necessarily terminal.  But just like cancer, early 
detection is the key.  Advanced stages can still be brought to a successful 
recovery, but it takes much more work, commitment and $$$$....

Also, where there's smoke, there's fire.  Meaning, if a potential seller 
alerts you to rust in one area, you can bet your bottom dollar that rust to a 
similar degree exists elsewhere.  For example, although at first glance it 
seems fine, this car has wasted rocker panels, front valance and radiator 
support, and probably high degrees of rust elsewhere in the chassis which 
will all have to be dealt with before the car can really be considered sound. 
 

FWIW, this car has an almost perfectly straight body and shows few, if any 
signs of rust in any of the sheetmetal.  So don't assume that a nice straight 
body and quality paint automatically equates to a solid chassis.

Caveat emptor...

Mike