Re: New ones....

[George Graves <gmgraves@domain.elided>]

Hmmm. Pantera eh? Have you checked the frame member that goes over your 
head in the roof just behind the seats for rust? The roof insulation 
holds the water (because Panteras leak) against this structural member 
and they rot away. Ditto for the member under the front where the 
suspension pieces attach. Never saw one without tin-worm damage- even 
here in California. And then there's the 6000 mile rear wheel bearings. 
No, I didn't leave out a zero. Six THOUSAND mile rear wheel bearings.  
Most Panteras were poorly made, poorly finished, had electrical 
problems that make Alfas look like Chevys by comparison, and had an 
exhaust system which literally suffocated the Ford Cleveland 351- V8 
which powered them. I'll stick to Alfas, thank you.

BTW, I had a friend who owned a Pantera once. Used to help him work on 
it. I loved to drive it, but I never thought it handled particularly 
well. I must say that the exotic driving position, the Ferrari-like 
shift gate, and the powerful rear engine were intoxicating, to say the 
least. What happened to it? The front suspension collapsed (due to the 
aforementioned front frame member rot) while the owner was driving fast 
in Nevada and he was killed.

George Graves



On Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 04:08  PM, alfa-digest wrote:


> Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 16:59:27 -0400
> From: dsedon@domain.elided
> Subject: Re: New ones....
>
> hey mark,
>
> re: item "b", i can't speak for the ferrari (expensive maintenance?), 
> but i know from personal experience, that a pantera is extremely cheap 
> to maintain, quite reliable, parts aren't any more $$$ than for our 
> beloved alfas, (engine parts are a lot cheaper!), and they're readily 
> awailable - on the shelf at several different vendors.  re: insurance, 
> my '72, insured for agreed walue of $34k,  (no surprises from the ins 
> co, if i have an accident), costs me a whopping $250/year.  zero 
> deductable.  only two things are covered: 1)collision.  2)other than 
> collision.  ;~)
>
> i hope i haven't jeopardized yer early retirement w/this info...  :>)
>
> doug s.
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