| Memories of 6748. I am the original owner of this car! In fact, I'm looking at the original window sticker as I write this. 1974 model Pantera-L, coupe, white, VIN THPNND06748, 351 4V engine, Becker stereo, luggage rack, Hirschman electronic antenna, whatever that was. I bought it new in 1975 from Gerald Lincoln Mercury in Skokie, Illinois, for $12,337.96. What memories... I remember agonizing over the purchase - Pantera or Porsche or Ferrari Dino. I'd read and reread all the car mags. All were about the same price. (Okay, the Dino was a little more.) The Dino would have been the best investment; the Porsche the best daily driver; but, oh that Pantera, the look, the sound, not to mention that it ran circles around those other cars. Besides, it was Italian. I'd had any number of British sportscars, an Alfa, a 240z; the Pantera was a step up! I remember the tug on the steering wheel everytime I ran over a tar strip driving it home from the dealership that first night. And did I mention that it had a V8. I'd always been kind of jealous of those guys with big V8s and a four on the floor; you know, the ones with the GTOs, Mustangs and 442s. The Pantera was the best of both worlds, a muscle-sports car. What a thrill. And my payments were only about $250/mo. Several months after I got it, a friend bought a used 73L. We'd cruise Interstate 80 heading west looking for Vettes. Imagine being the Vette driver when we pulled up, one on each side. All three of us would start to accelerate but we kept it in 5th gear. When the Vette driver started feeling good about his ride, we downshifted and blew his doors off. Oh to be young and foolish again; those were the days. |
| And it sure got lots of looks. The Pantera introduced to me many new friends. Some were basic car guys, some were gearheads, some were sports car nuts, some were just curious, some were old guys wondering how I could afford it, and some were even women. Most didn't know what it was but that was okay. My first date with my wife, Betty, was in that car. It must have worked its magic! I remember cruising up Lake Shore Drive to get to her apartment. The Pantera made it a delight, especially the S curves coming north from downtown. I made that trip many times. It still brings a smile to my face when I think about it. I used that car as my daily driver for a couple of years, and then rust started to rear its ugly head. Not bad, mind you, but I had been down that path too many times with other sports cars. I sold it to the father of one of my brother's friends. A Mr. Allen, who lived in Atherton, Illinois. Got a great price for it, too. But it was a sad day when I drove it central Illinois to deliver it to him. (By the way, my brother still talks with Mr. Allen's son and he can't wait to tell him about it being up for sale again.) But the memory lived on and in 1981, I bought 6559. Had to go all the way to Pittsburgh to get a white one just like 6748. Then we had kids. The car just languished. Hardly ever driven what with kids this and kids that. It went with me when I got transferred to Southern California and then again to Boston, and finally, here to Texas. My last one went off to college last fall. And the fire got rekindled. I started doing little things to get it operational again. I did them myself because the forum provided me with advice and support. Then I found out my old BMW mechanic had oodles of Pantera and 351C experience. One thing led to another and now I find myself getting the engine redone, not by me fortunately, and I'm tackling the prep work for the body before taking it to the restoration shop for painting. I can't wait to get it going again. What a ride. It's a good life! Jeff (Now with #6559) |