DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #11

Jeff,
Regarding your preference for Pre-L's:  You are my HERO!!!  I've got one
myself, #3024, early '72 and I'm happy to say that I'm keeping the fabulous
original appearance intact.  My GOD, who are these people with wings,
flares, targa tops, brilliantly polished pimpin' wheels and blacked out
everything.... Knock, knock, the 80's are OVER!!!  This car is awesome
looking as it came (except for the side mirrors) and what car that was
worth a darn EVER looked better after being modified.  Maybe a '57 Chevy
with cut rear fenders (oops!!), or maybe the perversions that resulted from
trying to make the original '73 Lamborghini P400 (Countach) look more "up
to date".  Give me a break!!

Take my advice, be patient, look for a Pre-L as un-modified as possible,
with it's cosmetics in-tact, check for rust, check the ZF and BUY IT!

There is ONE cosmetic upgrade I recommend: Replace the side mirrors with
Talbert circular mirrors and put a 3.5" convex on the passenger side. 
These came stock on the same era Mazeratis that also share the ZF
five-speed, so I consider this is an appropriate change.

As for performance mechanicals, I'm currently having my original 351 Cobra
Jet (4-bolt main, 4V heads) redone with an all-roller valve train, harmonic
dampener, MSD Pro-billet ignition, Holley 750 w/ Edelbrock, Mellings pump,
and a low-pedal effort clutch.  My builder says I'll be very happy with the
smoother-running and torquey 400 HP I'll be getting.  Replacing the rear
sway-bar IS a good idea (maybe the front) as is replacing the shocks with
Konis.

Cooling system upgrade is MANDATORY and an AC upgrade is also a good idea. 
If the AC is too much $, just remove it entirely.  Replace the plastic
window and headlight lift gears with bronze ones. 

Your resulting car will: Retain it's value better, LOOK better and run
better, than 95% of those Panteras out there, most of which have been
"improved" by self proclaimed automotive engineers who have WAY too much
time and $ on their hands and who think that THEIR concept of the ultimate
car is better than that of the late 60's-early-70's Italian automotive
industry.

For those of you who disagree with my views, no hard feelings.  The last
time I checked, this was still a free country, and the shameless
application of poor taste was not a punishable offense.

KEEP IT LOOKING STOCK BABY!!!






> [Original Message]
> From: <wasikv12@spyring.com>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <detomaso@realbig.com>
> Date: 12/31/00 2:33:45 PM
> Subject: removing flairs
>
> I have seen a number of Pantera for sale lately at good prices that have
> the GT5 or so kits on them, and I was curious if any list members know if
> they can be successfully removed.  I would think that the ability to
remove
> them would help preserve the original styling of the 71 / 72 Pre L's, (for
> those who prefer that style of course).  Thanks for any advice.
> 
> -Jeff
> 
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