DeTomaso Mailing List: September 2000, Message #75

Hello all -

Last time I wrote I was asking about how to remove the firewall on my
Pantera in order to replace the fan belt on the water pump. Easy to do. Got
that accomplished although I did have to remove the seats from the car -
they would no longer slide fore and aft at all. Not a big deal, fortunately.
Got slowed down by company from Ontario; Allentown, PA; Los Altos, CA; and
Minnesota (at one time there were at least 15 people staying over at our
place - I need a bigger home, say the size of Hearst Castle!!) followed by
two weeks on business in Southern California.

This weekend, I was back on finishing up the job - replacing both hose
clamps on the lower radiator hose and filling and bleeding the cooling
system. I very carefully reread Mike Drew's instructions on bleeding the
cooling system then jacked the rear end of the Pantera way up (I had to use
a step ladder) and filled the coolant tank and the overflow tank. One quick
check before I try and start her up.

Oh, oh what is this green stuff trickling out the garage door? Turns out the
radiator is leaking on the front passenger side about half way up. Must have
broken more than a fan belt. Gary Roys - you out there? Can you recommend a
good radiator shop in the area? I'd like to see if the radiator can be
repaired before I think about purchasing a new one. What say you folks;
think it can be repaired?

On the plus side - met up with John Sobazek today and we took his white GT5
over to an Italian sport scar gathering on the grounds of the Edsel and
Eleanor Ford estate in Grosse Point Shores. There were nine or so Panteras
there amongst many Ferrari's, some Lamborghini's and Maserati's, and lots of
Alfa-Romeo's and Fiats. John's GT5 is white with a wine coloured leather
interior and an elegant wing; very nice!. I met a number of the Detroit area
Pantera owners, including Brian Fedoroff, Roy, Mike, Von, and another
George. Also got to look at the only (I think) 1975 Pantera in the US. And I
got to look at the Qvale coupe and targa Mangusta. Another side light was
hearing the story of the son of the Ford exec that was killed while racing
(not in a Pantera) and what became of his Group 4 and spare cars.

Brian Fedoroff has a beautifully prepared pre-L; he won the Pantera class
and deservedly so in my humble opinion. All in all, a great day.

Now, back to putting Rd Flier to rights!!


George Selby-Hele
"Rd Flier" (kaput in MI)