DeTomaso Mailing List: August 2000, Message #36

Hi guys,

Just got my August POCA newsletter in the mail (one week after the July issue 
arrived--gotta love bulk mail!)

It's chock-full of great stuff, including an article on brake speed-bleeders 
that has me wanting some (especially since my Mustang currently has zero 
brake fluid.)  But there's one significant error that needs to be addressed.

Jack wrote:

"It seems that Alejandro De Tomaso of De Tomaso Automobili and Kjell Qvale of 
Qvale Modena have "kissed and made-up" after their very public "divorce" in 
the world's automotive press this spring."  He then goes on to heavily imply 
that the production of a New Pantera in 2002 would virtually be a joint 
venture between Qvale and DeTomaso.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  Jack, where on earth did you come 
up with that idea? :>)  What have you been smoking? :>)

Jack also said that Qvale owns the rights to the name Pantera--that isn't 
true either.  Under the terms of the "divorce", Qvale kept the Mangusta name 
while DeTomaso got the DeTomaso and Pantera names back.  The two entities are 
thoroughly through with one another.

DeTomaso's really big news these days is the contract to build Russian SUV's 
that arrive in Italy in knocked-down form and are to be assembled by about 
200 new DeTomaso employees.  The capital from that venture will supposedly 
finance the creation of two new sports cars, a new Vallelunga and a Pantera.  
Jack seems extremely confident that he will pull it off.  I remain merely 
hopeful.

Finally, Jack said that DeTomaso managed to produce over 10,000 Maserati 
BiTurbos per year?  Somehow I have a hard time believing that too.  Chris 
Bupp (Pantera guy and former owner of two BiTurbos), what sez you about those 
production figures?  

Mike, wondering what color the sky is in Jack's world...:>)