Pantera parts ! (Page 15/75)
opm2000 DEC 10, 12:32 PM
RCR & Visceral,
Thanks for the tip on finding the contour gauges. I ordered a big one this week. So far I've used the grid indexing for initial shaping, and I've been making cardboard profile templates to check the profile similarity. A guage will be much easier to use.

Shawnkfl,
Thanks for the interest, and hang in there. It's encouraging to hear that you guys have an interest in building a Pantera.

Right now, Blackram's donor is recieving it's 4.9 transplant, and when that's finished we go directly to full body installation. With his build I'll assemble the text & pics for the Builder's Manual cd.

I'm fairly limited on space in my shop, so things progress in bits and spurts. I'm all set up to layup both a front & rear clip this weekend. At the same time, the wheel flares are ready for a coat of Duratec, so hopefully a lot more will happen to them the following week.

The first full kit to be sold is now complete, but the builder is waiting on me finishing up the wheel flare molds, understandably.

It seems to me that there is enough flexablility in the layup schedule, and I don't plan on doing a high volume production rate, so I almost think that each kit will be customized to each builder's desires. Anyone with an interest can pm or email me to discuss particulars and time frame. When I acquired this project, I wanted to bring it to the Fiero and Kit Builder Communities as something with classic looks, but open to customizing....and easily built....and affordable. For example, I think I've worked out how to assemble the rear clip mounting and hinge structure into an almost foolproof and super easy installation. And the wheel flares I'm molding will be a good close tolerance fit. These things all add up to make your project something you can assemble in a very short time, and then get out there and enjoy it.

David Breeze

bubbajoexxx DEC 12, 10:21 AM
opm2000
Please dont take this comment the wrong way I would just like to know why you are not making the rear of the car with the proper cam shell deck lid
your kit looks good but would be 100% better with the correct deck lid and the engine compartment easer to access with the camshell as more area is opened and you dont have to slide under the rear clip .

[This message has been edited by bubbajoexxx (edited 12-12-2004).]

blackrams DEC 12, 10:34 AM
Bubbjoe,
I'll let Dave answer that question for himself, but it is still an option. The kit that Dave and I are producing for my 88, will have a rear deck lid hatch, though not exactly like the orginal, I feel it works very well with the Fiero and will use the orginal decklid hinge points. It also needs to be noted that engine access is so much easier with the tilt clip it's almost child's play, the whole rear clip takes about 10 minutes to remove. IMHO, this is not a reproduction, it's a kit car. No offense taken. I hope this answers at least part of your question. Happy Fieroing.

------------------
Ron
aka: Blackrams Fieros

opm2000 DEC 12, 07:01 PM
Hey Bubbajoe, I'm glad you like the Pantera Kit. Maybe you'll tackle one after your Stretch is completed :>

As Blackrams pointed out, the master mold for the rear clip is made in such a way that if you prefer a traditional "clamshell" Pantera deck, then we can make one which exactly reproduces that on a real Pantera.

This is the backside of the rear clip master mold. It's actually four big sections that bolt together. You'll see a flange bolted together running straight down from the "v" notch where the gills or scoops are. To create a traditional deck, we simply insert a long piece of vinyl in between those flanges during mold assembly. The result is a perfectly fitting rear section with a turned down lip for the deck to set on...and a matching deck with a matching lip as well.

This type lid would only require hinges installed along the rear roof section to be totally stock.

So far I've built three rear clips, and they have all been "tilt" configured. With the tilt deck, you lose the body line above the wheel wells from the clamshell deck...but you do pick up a body line from the wheel wells up to the gill/scoop area.

It's mostly a matter of builder preference. I can tell yu that the tilt clip is tons of fun at car shows and at the gas station, whenever you fillup. Flip back the tilt deck to access your fuel tank and you'll have an instant audience :>

For daily mechanicing, the tilt deck gives pretty decent access. For serious, heavy duty mechanicing, just pull the hinge pin, free the restraint chains, and two guys can set the whole rear clip on a set of sawhorses, no sweat.

David Breeze

bubbajoexxx DEC 12, 09:04 PM
opm2000
hopefully in 2 years I will have the nessesary funds to do it as I plan building one for my wife with the camshell look
The Black Widow DEC 12, 09:10 PM
David, you and Ron kick ass, Ill be home in January so I cant wait to check it out! Totally awesome!
-Matt
opm2000 DEC 13, 12:05 PM
Hi Matt,
Be sure and come by my place when you make it back in to town. I'm hosting an open house for the Bluegrass Fiero Folks and any other Fiero/Hotrodder types who might want to attend....sometime between now and Janurary 5th. Any idea what your schedule is?

David Breeze

opm2000 DEC 13, 06:58 PM

As a follow up on the stock, clamshell type decklid, this pic may help. Here you can see a one-piece tilt-clip pantera part. You can see the clay line along the clamshell parting edge, though. And if you look closely (sorry about the pic quality) you can see that it is just above the "fender" line, all stock geometry.

In this pic, the rear clip is setting in it's true position on the chassis. The roofline doesn't match because I've done a 4" choptop on it, and will have to modify the rear clip to fit the lowered roofline. I plan to cut along the clamshell parting line and do the necessary recontouring only to the clamshell portion. From there, I'm still not sure if it will become a tilt-clip or a clamshell deck.

David Breeze

RCR JAN 18, 08:19 AM
It's been a while....Any update?

Bob

opm2000 JAN 19, 06:34 AM
Well, between the Holidays and the cold weather, I got distracted a bit:

Anyhow, the front flares are shaped and ready to have molds made around them. I'm in the middle of shaping the new front air dam, and it flows into the front flares, so thee is a holdup untill the air dam is finished.

The rear flares are almost ready for the bondo phase:

BTW, how do you like the wooden wingstands? I was using this photo for a shaping reference ( http://www.panteraplace.com/Pantera%20Pics/Meredith%201.JPG ), and Blackrams pointed out that the red car had what looked like a Fiero wing. He and Scrabblegod dug around and came up with this wing, and it fits perfectly, matching body lines and angles.

David Breeze