Pics of why I am Vettewreck

[vettewreck]

Damn, you destroyed that Vette (going back to the original post). I was hit twice in the two "softest" parts of my car. My car was completely fixable despite how bad it looks.





What is looks like now:

That a fkn Pantera??? LOOOVE the car!!!

[JohnnyVegas]

I am always surprised when someone knows what that car is. I probably answer "what kind of car is that" hundreds of times a year...even from car guys. I have also noticed that "Detomaso Pantera" is way to many syllables for people understand, so I just say "it is a Pantera".





This is what it looked like before color change, wheels and mirrors.



I love the new Vettes, so this thread is great. Always nice to run into car guys.

[JohnnyVegas]

Oops, double post.

[vettewreck]

Id love to have one. They were waaay ahead of their time for styling. My all time dream car is a '98 Diablo. But damn Panteras are super sexy!! Theres maybe 2 around town where I live and they bring them out for meets but no where near as goodlooking as yours.

[JohnnyVegas]

I love my car, but there is nothing like a V12. Several of my friends have Diablos, so it is hard not to love them, but I think I would rather get an early Gallardo Superleggera (even though it doesn't have the V12). The Diablo is a better car to own (fewer of them), but I think the Gallardo is much better to drive. The Diablo is a bear to get around town.

I have to say though, that for an everyday car, I would be deliriously happy with a Z06. No way I can drive my Pantera daily as it gets 8mpg.

[quarry206]

That car has a TON of work done to it to beat a ZO6. There is no replacement for displacement.

not true. i had one, only put a little into it and I could beat a Z06 . . their was a kit for those cars that for only 600 bucks are so you could add 110hp, and a lot of low end torque. .

those cars had amazing power and qtr mile times with little work. . . The 4G63t engine was great. the gsx all wheel drive car of the series could do amazing things with very little work.

[chi]

I love my car, but there is nothing like a V12. Several of my friends have Diablos, so it is hard not to love them, but I think I would rather get an early Gallardo Superleggera (even though it doesn't have the V12). The Diablo is a better car to own (fewer of them), but I think the Gallardo is much better to drive. The Diablo is a bear to get around town.

I have to say though, that for an everyday car, I would be deliriously happy with a Z06. No way I can drive my Pantera daily as it gets 8mpg.

351w in there no? Any mods?

[chi]

not true. i had one, only put a little into it and I could beat a Z06 . . their was a kit for those cars that for only 600 bucks are so you could add 110hp, and a lot of low end torque. .

those cars had amazing power and qtr mile times with little work. . . The 4G63t engine was great. the gsx all wheel drive car of the series could do amazing things with very little work.

agreed thank you.

[calgarian]

http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-...ode_188102.htm

watch the last 10 minutes.

[JohnnyVegas]

351w in there no? Any mods?

Almost...351 Cleveland. It is a full build by a reputable builder. 550hp. Stroked to 400. Big cam. I bought it with this motor, and it didn't come with a build sheet. I will have it pulled when I get the chance to get a feel what is in there, or possibly go twin turbo. Honestly, going twin turbo would make it look cool, but more horsepower would just be unsafe. It is already the kind of car that shouldn't be driven by the inexperienced. A lot of horsepower, mid engine weight bias, no traction control, no ABS, no airbags, no crush zones, no bumpers. I am glad the seat doesn't move forward enough for my wife to drive it. Even if the seat did move forward enough, I suppose she couldn't handle the clutch effort or lack of power steering. It truly is uncivil.

[chi]

Almost...351 Cleveland. It is a full build by a reputable builder. 550hp. Stroked to 400. Big cam. I bought it with this motor, and it didn't come with a build sheet. I will have it pulled when I get the chance to get a feel what is in there, or possibly go twin turbo. Honestly, going twin turbo would make it look cool, but more horsepower would just be unsafe. It is already the kind of car that shouldn't be driven by the inexperienced. A lot of horsepower, mid engine weight bias, no traction control, no ABS, no airbags, no crush zones, no bumpers. I am glad the seat doesn't move forward enough for my wife to drive it. Even if the seat did move forward enough, I suppose she couldn't handle the clutch effort or lack of power steering. It truly is uncivil.

Yeah it definitely isn't a car for lets say someone who is used to a modena with a bunch of race tech saving your butt from getting killed. Sounds like you must have a lot of fun with that thing at 550 hp. Gorgeous car Johnny enjoy!

[JohnnyVegas]

Yeah it definitely isn't a car for lets say someone who is used to a modena with a bunch of race tech saving your butt from getting killed. Sounds like you must have a lot of fun with that thing at 550 hp. Gorgeous car Johnny enjoy!

Yeah, this car will kill you. My accident (pictured above) happened when I was merging onto the highway on a slightly curved, two lane onramp. A car cut in front of me so I gunned it to go around and still get back over before the outside lane ended. My rear tires (running 345s at the time) broke loose at the top of second gear, and the car went sideways aimed toward a concrete wall. I took my foot off the accelerator (always dangerous in a mid-engine car when lacking traction) which flipped me the other direction out into freeway traffic. I was going sideways and was hit by two cars. No one was hurt, but I felt horrible about being so irresponsible. These old cars that don't have electronic safety features cannot be driven with emotion. It all happened with one snap decision, and a few seconds later my car required tens of thousands of dollars worth of repairs. Stupid.

I didn't mean to hijack your thread Vette...it is just always fun to trade stories with car guys.

[chi]

Yeah, this car will kill you. My accident (pictured above) happened when I was merging onto the highway on a slightly curved, two lane onramp. A car cut in front of me so I gunned it to go around and still get back over before the outside lane ended. My rear tires (running 345s at the time) broke loose at the top of second gear, and the car went sideways aimed toward a concrete wall. I took my foot off the accelerator (always dangerous in a mid-engine car when lacking traction) which flipped me the other direction out into freeway traffic. I was going sideways and was hit by two cars. No one was hurt, but I felt horrible about being so irresponsible. These old cars that don't have electronic safety features cannot be driven with emotion. It all happened with one snap decision, and a few seconds later my car required tens of thousands of dollars worth of repairs. Stupid.

I didn't mean to hijack your thread Vette...it is just always fun to trade stories with car guys.

Wow well thankfully you are alive to tell us this and it got you a badass paint job as a result. I can relate to driving with emotion as I had a Dinan e36 M3, which is nowhere near the power of your beast, that i use to like to drive with the traction control off. I was going around traffic and downshifted which also broke the rears loose and the car grabbed but sideways, which resulted in me veering into oncoming traffic and causing a pretty bad accident which was because of my stupidity. I chalked that one up to being young and dumb. Thank god no one was injured. Sorry Vette but you know us car guys

[jnewton86]

not true. i had one, only put a little into it and I could beat a Z06 . . their was a kit for those cars that for only 600 bucks are so you could add 110hp, and a lot of low end torque. .

those cars had amazing power and qtr mile times with little work. . . The 4G63t engine was great. the gsx all wheel drive car of the series could do amazing things with very little work.

Keep in mind all the vids posted lasted a few seconds, 1/4 mile or 1/2 at most.

To each their own, I don't want to start any arguments as it will go on forever. Imports VS Muscle

Good to see some car guys on here though

[MuscleScience]

Awesome thread,

I love vettes, practically the only reason for me to live life and make money is to have one....LOL

Dream build is a C5 Z06, transplanted LS2/LS3 stroker motor with either a procharger F1R or twins turbo set up basically for street cruising and some strip. Those cars can be made so fast, they are light and are just sick looking when done up properly.

[JohnnyVegas]

...I had a Dinan e36 M3.

Awesome car. My mother-in-law just got a new 335 and it doesn't have the soul. Yeah, I chalk mine up to "young and stupid"...even though I was in my late 30s. Heh.

To each their own, I don't want to start any arguments as it will go on forever. Imports VS Muscle

I hang out with a lot of different car groups, so I hear these arguments all the time. Personally, I don't care where a car comes from. They are all built for a purpose and comparing apples to oranges just gets people frustrated. Sure, you can make a Honda CRX beat a Z06 in a drag race, but it will suck on the street and won't stand a chance if it has to turn. Rather than argue about which is better, I prefer to think that they are both good at what they were built to do.

I am all about people getting together and appreciating cars in general. The toughest time I ever had was getting a few of my Lambo friends and several Nissan folks together for a charity rally. It was dicy at first, but eventually the Lambo guys realized the Nissan guys were just younger versions of themselves.

[Matt Rock]

Some nice cars in this thread! Good work on your second vette, Vette!

And Johnny... Love the Pantera too! I was behind one this past summer on my bike (07 Triumph Daytona 675) and couldn't believe how badass it sounded. I pulled up beside him at the lights to compliment him. When the light turned green he stomped on it and I just stayed with him to experience the pull it had.. chirped through the first 3 gears! Then I waved and wheelied off into the sunset lol.

[JohnnyVegas]

Some nice cars in this thread! Good work on your second vette, Vette!

And Johnny... Love the Pantera too! I was behind one this past summer on my bike (07 Triumph Daytona 675) and couldn't believe how badass it sounded. I pulled up beside him at the lights to compliment him. When the light turned green he stomped on it and I just stayed with him to experience the pull it had.. chirped through the first 3 gears! Then I waved and wheelied off into the sunset lol.

They can be pretty fast when non-stock. Weight is around 3200 pounds. No way to keep up with a bike though. I miss mine, but this town has become so dangerous for riders.

[dec11]

most of the motoring journos over here say big american muscle cars are great until you have to go round a corner, and tht 4cyl turbos like mitsi evo's will eat them around a track all day long

[chi]

most of the motoring journos over here say big american muscle cars are great until you have to go round a corner, and tht 4cyl turbos like mitsi evo's will eat them around a track all day long

tell them lets see that against a z06 vette or a zr1 for that matter.

[calgarian]

most of the motoring journos over here say big american muscle cars are great until you have to go round a corner, and tht 4cyl turbos like mitsi evo's will eat them around a track all day long

watch the link i posted just the last 8 minutes

[vettewreck]

Jonny, have you thought about an LS2/3 swap? Lots of guys are doing that in the Pantera now. Much more street friendly, 23mpg, and still tons of HP and torque. I think theres even a company that offers a kit. Hell, my friend that did all the work on my supercharged vette owns his own high performance shop and he specializes in LS1/2/3 swaps. Hes actually doing my 1990 Nissan 300zx LS2/T56 swap right now. He would be more than happy to drop one of those in your Pantera...

[dec11]

tell them lets see that against a z06 vette or a zr1 for that matter.

just a little snippet from wilkipedia.....


The FQ400, sold through Ralliart UK, produces 411 PS (302 kW; 405 hp) from its 2.0 L 4G63 engine, the result of special modifications by United Kingdom tuning firms Rampage Tuning, Owen Developments, and Flow Race Engines. At 202.9 hp (151.3 kW) per litre, it has one of the highest specific outputs per litre of any roadcar engine. With a curb weight of 1,450 kg (3,197 lb), it achieves 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-100 mph in 9.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 12.1 seconds at 118 mph (190 km/h), and a top speed of 175 mph (282 km/h) while costing £47,000. BBC's television series Top Gear demonstrated that the stock FQ-400 could surprisingly keep up with a Lamborghini Murciélago around a test track. The Stig recorded a Top Gear Power Lap Times of 1 minute and 24.8 seconds, 1.1 seconds slower than the Murciélago's time of 1 minute 23.7 seconds.[9] In a similar test conducted by Evo magazine, the Evolution was able to lap the Bedford Autodrome faster than an Audi RS4 and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

tht evo in particular would be sitting with some litre sports bikes 0-60

[JohnnyVegas]

Jonny, have you thought about an LS2/3 swap? Lots of guys are doing that in the Pantera now. Much more street friendly, 23mpg, and still tons of HP and torque. I think theres even a company that offers a kit. Hell, my friend that did all the work on my supercharged vette owns his own high performance shop and he specializes in LS1/2/3 swaps. Hes actually doing my 1990 Nissan 300zx LS2/T56 swap right now. He would be more than happy to drop one of those in your Pantera...

There is a guy on one of the Pantera forums that dropped a Z06 motor in his Pantera. Very nice. It feels a little strange to put anything other than a Ford in my car, so I have been checking out supercharged modular motors. Probably will keep it with the "correct" motor in it and start working on buying something else (and keeping the Pantera of course).

[vettewreck]

That was probably a LS6 he put in. I know what youre saying but the LS motors are by far one of the best engine platforms of all time. And not over the top expensive. Corvette power pushing that exotic "ford" would be the best of both worlds!

[JohnnyVegas]

BBC's television series Top Gear demonstrated that the stock FQ-400 could surprisingly keep up with a Lamborghini Murciélago around a test track. The Stig recorded a Top Gear Power Lap Times of 1 minute and 24.8 seconds, 1.1 seconds slower than the Murciélago's time of 1 minute 23.7 seconds.[9] In a similar test conducted by Evo magazine, the Evolution was able to lap the Bedford Autodrome faster than an Audi RS4 and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

People try to forget that cars are more than numbers. A Murci isn't just "1 minute 23.7 seconds", and making another car go around the track just as fast doesn't make it equal. Being an exotic is so much more than speed.

I am NOT knocking Evos. I would love to have one, and it would be the coupe of choice for me. Well, actually, the Panamera would be the coupe of choice for me, but the Evo would be the realistically affordable coupe for me. Heh.

[dec11]

People try to forget that cars are more than numbers. A Murci isn't just "1 minute 23.7 seconds", and making another car go around the track just as fast doesn't make it equal. Being an exotic is so much more than speed.

I am NOT knocking Evos. I would love to have one, and it would be the coupe of choice for me. Well, actually, the Panamera would be the coupe of choice for me, but the Evo would be the realistically affordable coupe for me. Heh.

oh i agree with you there, its why i drive a rare italian sports and all the fookin expense tht goes with it lol. was just throwing out the figures for a 'small' 2.0l 4cyl tuning potential. the evo is a complete rally slag and not near pretty enough for me

[JohnnyVegas]

I have always loved imports. My next daily will be something racy and Asian. Yeah 2 liters is small, considering mine is 6.5 liters.

Rare Italians are expensive. It isn't like they make the parts any more. I hope I never break a frickin' tail light or window. Heh.

[dec11]

I have always loved imports. My next daily will be something racy and Asian. Yeah 2 liters is small, considering mine is 6.5 liters.

Rare Italians are expensive. It isn't like they make the parts any more. I hope I never break a frickin' tail light or window. Heh.

parts isnt too much trouble, its getting someone to work on the fookin things thats tough, very small engine bay and loads of cramped engine ancillaries = taking half the car apart for simple jobs!!! its actually cheaper and safer for me to take mine on a ferry from ireland to england to a specialist to get some jobs done!

i'd love a big engined NA motor next, prob something like a 350z (thats big for here)

[JohnnyVegas]

The biggest worry for Pantera owners is the ZF transaxle. We pretty much need to crate it up and ship it to a specialist.

The Z is a fun car. I spend half my time rolling with the local Z and GT-R guys.

[MACHINE5150]

I miss my Vette, but had another Chevy shipped here.. It is faster than my vette was though, and a C6 is fast.. hehe

[JohnnyVegas]

I miss my Vette, but had another Chevy shipped here.. It is faster than my vette was though, and a C6 is fast.. hehe

Wait, are you really the guy that bought that car? I remember watching that vid when it went up for sale.

[MACHINE5150]

Wait, are you really the guy that bought that car? I remember watching that vid when it went up for sale.

yes, bought it sep 2009, had it sent over here to Dublin. Been trying to get a hold of Marty (the guy on the video) as the Torque Convertor blew up on me and he was supposed to tell me where i can find a more beefed up one.

[dec11]

yes, bought it sep 2009, had it sent over here to Dublin. Been trying to get a hold of Marty (the guy on the video) as the Torque Convertor blew up on me and he was supposed to tell me where i can find a more beefed up one.

you jammy sod, tht car is the mutt's nuts, fookin beautiful, i'll be lookin out for it around town lol

[MuscleScience]

That was probably a LS6 he put in. I know what youre saying but the LS motors are by far one of the best engine platforms of all time. And not over the top expensive. Corvette power pushing that exotic "ford" would be the best of both worlds!

I agree completely, in my last LS build I was making 550 on the Dyno, running 10.9x consistently on slicks and skinnies, as well as getting 28 mpg highway (m6) on road trips.

[MACHINE5150]

you jammy sod, tht car is the mutt's nuts, fookin beautiful, i'll be lookin out for it around town lol

haha, sad thing is i have only driven it about 20-30 miles total.. had the distributor come off when i was on the N4, sounded like a hand grenade went off when it backfired.. but the fvcking rush of going from 40mph to 140mph in just a 4-5 seconds is amazing, and thunderingly loud, something i missed from my old vette. I am puting spacers in the springs to lift it up and need to move the fuel line around as it is not placed properly before i start actually mashing around in it... it is not easy driving a car 15.5 feet long and 6'2" wide around the streets of Dublin, but boy is it fun to see people turn theri heads and stair.

[dec11]

haha, sad thing is i have only driven it about 20-30 miles total.. had the distributor come off when i was on the N4, sounded like a hand grenade went off when it backfired.. but the fvcking rush of going from 40mph to 140mph in just a 4-5 seconds is amazing, and thunderingly loud, something i missed from my old vette. I am puting spacers in the springs to lift it up and need to move the fuel line around as it is not placed properly before i start actually mashing around in it... it is not easy driving a car 15.5 feet long and 6'2" wide around the streets of Dublin, but boy is it fun to see people turn theri heads and stair.

i could imagine lol. mine is a real head turner aswell, i debadged it and put abarth badges on and ppl just havent a clue what it is, it has a modena bumper and zender side skirts and lowered and on 17" graphite kahns. ive been asked twice now what sort of ferrari it is lol.

how do you insure that beast, is it down as a classic show car? i'd bet it'd be sore on the juice, the price its at now!!

[MACHINE5150]

insured for only 240 euro for the year, but can not put alot of miles on it.. I think like 2000 a month max or something like that, but it is more for shit's and giggles. Personally i want to sell it and buy something practical, but at the same time i don't want to ever let go of that thing. And no one is in a hurry to hand over 50,000 Euros on a car nowadays.

[dec11]

insured for only 240 euro for the year, but can not put alot of miles on it.. I think like 2000 a month max or something like that, but it is more for shit's and giggles. Personally i want to sell it and buy something practical, but at the same time i don't want to ever let go of that thing. And no one is in a hurry to hand over 50,000 Euros on a car nowadays.

very true. i tried to sell my fireblade, one call in 8mths offering me stupid low money. worth more keeping it me thinks.

you try selling it in the north? seen a good few mustangs etc in and around belfast and things are slightly better up there financially

[MACHINE5150]

I put an add on Classic Cars Global dot com.. just said accepting offers.. Not in any hurry to get rid of it either, just not very practical.