DeTomaso Mailing List: June 2001, Message #51

O.k. Big day arrived day befor yesteday. Almost didn't make the deadline
with the painters. My first call to a flatbed tow was cancelled because
of an accident so they nixed my appointment to do that duty. So I called
two more to find someone with a reasonable time delay. Cool. However, I
was within 10 minutes of the paint shop. I ensured there was a delay so
that #2428 could get a chance to get in the shop. The following day, I
negotiated a deal for the paint. It will be a bare metal refinish. I
knew the guy was good. Cars all over the place and some were coming out
of the shop fairly quickly. So I imagine that #2428 may be out by months
end, maybe sooner. A cool 10+4 good buddy!

Now that she's at the painters, I'll spill a few beans. PPG Ferrari
Corsa Red is the paint of choice (like Keith Verges car). Interior has
already been done. I've done part of it and the complicated stuff farmed
out to another guy. All in a fabulous gray (those of you who've been to
Casa Cal #2428 know what I'm talking about). New GT5S Veglia Italian
faced, black bezeled gauges on a newly carved out "porkchop" with new
automarine switches. The "porkchop" (which is the switch/gauge panel)
has been custom powdercoated (by moi) in a krinkle gray finished trimmed
in black to match. Additionally, a pair of GM window switches are in
place of the now worn Bosch units. A Detomaso cursive logo patiently
awaits refinishing to black to adorn the passenger side of the dash just
above the glove compartment. There will be no mistaking this car for any
other Italian make. Steering wheel is a unit that I got in a deal with a
VW that just so happen to fit the Pantera (a bolt on affair, can you
believe that?). Since there is an empty spot in the center, I bartered
some unused automobile paint to a friend so he can carve up a new
aluminum hub for #2428. I made the specks to look high tech but expect
it to look like one of the billet hubs used in the March pulleys. The
steering wheel is a black Piloto.

The shifter bezel also has been done up in the same manner as the
"porkchop". It is now in krinkle gray with black trim. I've also located
a concealed radio and I'm trying to convince the manufacturer to do a
custom vertical display conversion so I don't have to crane my neck
sideways to see what freq I'm at.

Finally, I've located a set of used Gottis from a local Pantera owner.
I'm going to have the rim polished to a high sheen and the center
refinised to a satin texture. I'm not sure about trimming it in the
original gold border but that's still open for discussion.

So, that's it! I'll be on the old girl once she gets out of the paint
shop. Till then, keep working on these great cars!

Cal #2428P