[DeTomaso] 72 in StLouis

[Mmcdoug68 at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/13/06 10:43:44, daniel.c.jones2 at gmail.com  writes:

<< This past weekend I came across a local

1972  Pre-L Pantera that had a Pre-L front bumper and an L rear bumper.

The  owner thought was unusual but noted he had it stripped when it  was

repainted and their was no re-work around the rear bumper  holes.  The car

also has an external fuel door but the cut out for  the filler in the engine

compartment.  Mike McDougal and I looked  the car over and it appears a later

rear end was grafted on to the  car.

>>>More likely, it's a Euro import.  You say it has  Pre-L front 
bumpers--does 
it REALLY have Pre-L bumpers, which incorporate  the turn signals, or does it 
have L-model pods under the front fenders to  which the turn signals are 
attached, and then simple chrome bumperettes  mounted above them 
 
>>>>>>The car has the pre L bumpers w/signals. They are  also the "square 
edge type"

The Euro Pantera L was configured thusly, with a one-piece rear bumper  
(sometimes mounted on rams like the US cars,
 
>>>>>>The one piece rear was mounted on absorbers
 
 but often simply bolted to the chassis 
with fixed brackets, and  sometimes the bumper was chromed), and two-piece 
bumperettes in front with  the turn signals attached to the body instead of 
the 
bumperettes.  The  fuel filler in the gill didn't appear until early in 1973,
 
 
>>>>>>The trim panel above the gas tank had the hole for  the traditional 72 
type fuel filler
 so 
based on your description and my presumptions I would guess  the car in 
question 
is a 1973 or later Euro L-model.

Again, the VIN  will reveal all...


>>>>>>The vin was 2722.  The riveted on tag in the  left rear was missing and 
the lap joint next to where the tag should be looked  "fishy" on both sides.  
I would say someone saved this car from the crusher  a long time ago..........

Mike McDougal #3482