Pantera parts ! (Page 73/75)
2.5 MAR 23, 02:24 PM

quote
Originally posted by Fastfocusguy:

Ok - My home internet is up and running againg, as promised.
So, now I can get busy and post pix showing what has been
accomplished in the last 24 months, more or less ! hehehe
Hope you enjoy !
Regards,
David



I'm ready!
Fastfocusguy APR 05, 10:40 AM
So - where to begin ? Just looked back through my pix and chose two topics to start with.
First I want to show you how my door panels turned out.
The map pouch and carpeting were removed from the lower part of the door panel-
Then that area was reupholstered with black vinyl from JoAnn's fabric store -
Finally the upper portion of the door panel was prepped and sprayed with commercial
automotive grade vinyl dye ( this stuff is NOT cheap ! )
This product was also used to recolor the arm rests and other bits you see in these pix !







I used photo shop to attempt to lighten these up, since black is hard to photograph !!!
Fastfocusguy APR 05, 10:56 AM
The second item I will share today is my shift gate.
I wanted to use a real Pantera shift gate, but the price is high,
and the pattern is not correct for my muncie four speed -
So I copied the Pantera part, but modified it with the correct shift pattern.
You can see in the pix I did a prototype in masonite ( sprayed silver )
to make sure it would not interfere with the movement of my shift lever !
Then paid a shop up in Green Bay to cut the real deal out of stainless steel
I think they used a high pressure water jet machine !!
The bezel it is screwed to is just 3/4 inch pine, which I upholstered using
the same "Pleather" I have been using for all of my manufactured interior parts.
Compare it to photos of real pantera interiors, and you will see it is amazingly convincing !!








ps - yes, my 2nd and 3rdpix are upside down- so the shift pattern looks goofy ! :S

[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 04-05-2015).]

Fastfocusguy APR 05, 10:24 PM
Figured this might be another good one to post -
as a preface to the pix I plan to post next - - -



Here is the "cockpit" of a 1985 Fiero GT with virtually all of the goodies removed !
You can see the new Pantera-Look GT steering wheel, and the foundation of my
new center console - Notice the framing around shifter - this is where the shift
gate shown above will eventually mount.
Fastfocusguy APR 06, 10:53 PM
Now a shameless plug for Mr. Mikes, down in Florida, who made the awesome
install them myself seat re-upholstery kit which you see in the pix below.
He patiently listened to my wants and needs, helped me select all the correct
options, and even had the DeTomaso ISIS logo ebroidered onto to leather for me!
Yes, I could not resist the Lure of real leather ! Not cheap, but worth it !
The aroma alone is enough to make visions of Lamborghini's dance in my head !





Did anyone notice the DeTomaso logo on my HAT ? ? ? :O
Fastfocusguy APR 06, 10:59 PM
What's that ? ?
You want to see pix of the seats IN the Fiero/Pantera ? ?
No problemo ! Your wish is granted !









I will also point out here that the gorgeous new carpet kit you are seeing
is available from Fierostore dot com, and fits amazingly well ,
considering one must locate and cut your own holes for the
seat belt bolts and seat track bolts, and the wiring harness to the seat.
Fastfocusguy APR 06, 11:18 PM
In case you were wondering -
The 'covers' which fit over the seat recline mechanisms
are simply slightly modified Fiero parts -
I removed the "horn" or "hook", and then used PE resin
and a skim coat of bondo, to build back the area where the
"horn" was formerly located.
Primer and semi-gloss black enamel for styrene followed,
yielding a color correct pantero part, which looks 'right',
and still bolts right up to the fiero seat frame / mechanism !



Fastfocusguy OCT 27, 06:12 PM
I also wanted to mention the seat belts you see in the pictures.
The complete seat belt 'sets' were salvaged from a 1982 Lancia Zagato Spyder
So not only are they color correct Black,
they are of Italian manufacture, and therefor suitable for a
Italian De Tomaso replica !
They also bolted up rather conveniently to the pre threaded bolt holes
in the Fiero tub, using the Factory Pontiac Bolts !

[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 10-27-2015).]

wftb OCT 27, 10:33 PM
I have enjoyed this thread for ever .Thanks for keeping it going and love the seats !
Fastfocusguy OCT 29, 08:13 AM
Thank you! I am glad to know you are enjoying and following my slow but methodical build !



So here are those pesky and mysterious "access" holes with the horribly rusted out factory "plugs"
At least the floor pans themselves were not rusted, as you can see. I chose to fiberglass these shut permanently,
and inluded some steel cross braces that tie into the slots in the pan, with glass both above and below !



and this shows the totally cool replica/repro builders plate ( sans VIN number, of course ) which will help lend more
credibility to my "clone" ! I plan to insert the Fiero Vin Number into the appropriate box, of course !
I firmly believe that building a believeable replica is all in the details! don't you agree ?? ??