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
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 !!!
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).]
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.
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
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.
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 !
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).]
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 ?? ??
Ready for the GOOD stuff? I have been working on this part for many months now, and it is time to unveil the nearly complete results ! I have already mentioned getting my hands on an actual Pantera Dashboard, as well as all the Gauges, and switches - I think I even made a comment about grafting the forward 9 inches of the Fiero Dash onto the DeTomaso dash, so I could re-use the Fiero Defroster vents, and the dash mounted speakers, as well as the factory mounting points at the base of the windshield. So, here are a half dozen photos of the dash propped up on the center console I constructed, including DeTomaso ventilation lever pod. The radio-cassette unit is from the early eighties, and suits the theme well. Please feel free to use image search on the net to see some Actual Pantera interior shots to compare against my results !!
Hello? Is this thing on? Can anybody hear me ? LOL
News update for those of you still following my build of the Pantero / Fantera -
I have finally acquired the Holy Grail of Pantera parts : the coveted Carello license plate light fixture.These were used on two models of FERRARI , thereby making spare parts cost 10 times normal prices !! :O I will post pictures of the part soon !
I have been totally busy this summer taking my 1984 Lancia Delta GT to car shows every weekend, so the poor Pantero has been largely neglected these last few months. Hoping that as show season winds down I can get back to building the perfect Pantera Clone !
[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 09-14-2016).]
Love the dash! Great idea to incorporate the front part of the Fiero dash...that'll give a nice finish and as you mentioned, give the defrost vents in the right spot.
and so, as promised, here are four pictures of the un-obtainium License plate light assembly. Prices on flea-bay ranged from 400 all the way up to 999 dollars for this part ! :O
I got very lucky and obtained this one for under 200 dinero !!!
It fits into the moulded in recess, above the license plate, below the keyhole for engine cover latch.
Guess I should fix it in position and snap a photo for ya'll to show you how it fits in so neatly !
The longevity of this thread (and build) gives those of us who have similar projects a BIG shot in the arm.
Congrats on the light assembly....yea, that "Ferrari tax" is even steeper than the "Corvette tax" one usually encounters when rounding up parts for a Vette.
Be rest assured, there are more than a few folks who love to see your progress and appreciate your taking the time to update and let us know you're still determined to "get er' done".
Keep up the great work and let us know what you're up to from time to time.
