DeTomaso Mailing List: May 2001, Message #82

There has been some discussion on the list server about flexing of the
Pantera body and the impact of chassis braces.  I saw one car at Vegas that
had the back and front chassis support but also had developed cracks in the
paint in the back hatch opening.  His new paint was fine until he ran one
time on the track.   He was running a very hot engine and fat tires on 17"
wheels.  I know that Pantera Performance in CO adds an Y shaped piece of
metal in this area to carry the load.  I saw quite a few really pristine
cars this year with paint cracks around the back hatch and front window
pillars.  Last year I didn't notice any cars with paint cracks and I was
beginning to think that only East Coast cars cracked.  I was also talking
with a yellow Pantera owner that had his Pantera completely restored only to
have the lower front pillar developed a nasty crack.   Paint jobs are
expensive so there must be some way to keep the cracks under control.

I've noticed areas on the back fenders on my car vibrating just from the
movement and sound of the engine at idle.   If the sound of the engine
rattles my garage windows imagine what the sound waves do to the body of the
car.  Put your hand on the back fender in front of the wheels when the
engine is running, you'll be amazed.

Some thoughts for discussion:

1. What experience do the list server members have with body cracking?
2. What works best?   Apparently the back body brace is not the complete
answer.
3. What about the complete back, lower and front brace kit?
4. Do roll bars help?
5. Are certain cars more prone to cracking?  I've seen some original
un-restored cars with no cracks.  How can this be?
6. If you weld the crack on the window pillar what keeps it from cracking
next to the weld?
7. If you were starting completely from scratch what would you do to stop
cracking?

Mike


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