DeTomaso Mailing List: April 2001, Message #65

John,

Timing is everything. :>)

First of all, assuming the deal goes through, CONGRATS!

Next, you're in good hands with the Houston crowd.  If you do decide to drive 
it home, no way they're gonna let you leave unless each of them is 100% 
certain you'll make it home with no problems.

Now, as to timing:  You basically have to drive through Las Vegas to get 
home.  And the annual Pantera Owners Club of America Fun Rally is the last 
weekend of this month.

Therefore, you should come out to Houston, and if you make the deal, then 
arrange with the fellas to sort whatever niggling details need to get sorted 
(bring beer), then fly back out to Houston, and drive the car to Vegas, then 
home!

You won't be alone--probably one or two Houstonites will drive out to Vegas, 
and Matt Wells will be driving from Vegas to Seattle (or thereabouts.)

Shipping the car is a gamble in and of itself; over half the people I know 
who have had cars shipped have suffered damage as a result, either minor or 
major.  The only real reason to ship a functional car is if time is a factor. 
 But in my opinion, there's nothing like a road trip to cement the bond of 
new ownership!!!!!  And whatever trepidation you might feel about driving a 
strange car for thousands of miles should be offset by the knowledge that you 
are not alone.

FWIW, shortly after I bought my beater rustbucket Pantera, I had to deal with 
blown-out bearings and some electrical issues, then I moved from San 
Francisco to Enid, Oklahoma.  I left S.F. around 4:00 p.m., drove all night 
across the desert until I ran out of gas and had to stop in Needles (no 
24-hour stations in 1989.)  Napped for a few hours, then when the station 
opened, I gassed up and hit it, and kept the pey drive up to meet Chuck 
Engles for the first time in OKC, then another 90 minute drive to Enid.  I 
had my share of adventures, all due to the fact that I bought the worst 
Pantera on the planet.  Presumably, your drive would be fully enjoyable 
without any trials or tribulations (not that mine were all that serious.)

You should consider hooking up with William King for the Houston-to-Vegas 
leg--wpk@fpc.net is his address, he'll probably be driving from Austin, 
perhaps with an escort in the form of Richard Greenblum.  I'd guess that 
would be a two-day charge.  And Matt Wells will undoubtedly reach out to you 
to offer wingman protection for the Vegas-to-Seattle leg.

Welcome to the club!!!!

Mike