Do you have a Pantera project for a tech session?  Call Rod 714 374-8177 to schedule it.  I have two volunteer workshop sites.  Is it time for us to have another fluid change tech session?

 

Phyllis still has a handful of TPOC badges.  Pick yours up at the next meeting.  If you don’t have one, come to the meeting and sign up.  It’s free!
 

www.ocpanteras.com            

 

Please take the time to check your own info printed in the POCA Membership directory and forward any changes to Judy McCartney listed on the back cover.  Check your phone numbers, email address and most importantly your associate’s name.  Oops, it’s not listed but we do want it for our database anyway.

 

Paul Westberg is preparing clean/safe/work garage space for our cars - scheduled late December at about $350/month.

 

Reminders:   Check out our calendar on the ocpanteras.com site too.   rkunishige@hotmail.com

Thank your associate for the support you enjoy each year.

Aug 27             TPOC SWAP Meet 8AM-2PM at Bud William’s garage – free hot dogs, trimmings, chips and soda. Come see his outstanding collection and buy/sell parts you need.  Or, get some stuff you don’t need, just want.  Vendors can set up at 7AM.

Aug 27             TPOC BBQ at Ron & Gayle Huff’s Yorba Linda home.  They are hosting "Hot August Nights" the evening of the swap meet. Cocktails at 5, BB ribs at 6:30 and a Neil Diamond impersonator at 8.  We’ll close with fireworks. Adults only and no pets please.  So RSVP to Dave R 714 969-1301.

Sep 10              Pre 1916 car Museum visit Bill Harris’ Fountain Valley run, meet at Donut Derelicts by 8AM.

Sep 11              Belmont Shore - $25 by 9/4 to show your ride to car nuts young and old.  Meet at the shopping center parking at PCH & 2nd at 6:30AM else we can’t park as a group.  Here’s an opportunity to interest car guys and gals into an old fashion “hybrid”.  It may not be environmentally friendly but they’ll meet a lot of new friends and be introduced to the Italian American mix.  Meet at the market at 6:30AM.

Sep 11              LB Swap meet 6AM Long Beach Veterans Stadium $8 admission.

Sep 14              TPOC Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst & Ellis FV. Bring your Pantera.

Sep 18              Palos VerdesConcours Richard Barkley hosts this upscale show.

Oct 8-9             Coronado Speed Festival

Oct 9                LB Swap meet 6AM Long Beach Veterans Stadium $8 admission.

Oct 12              TPOC Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst & Ellis FV. Bring your pictures.

Oct 15-16         Central Coast Wine run Paul Westberg (949) 721-1091 plans a caravan to some of the same wineries in the popular “Sideways” movie.  We’ll be staying at Santa Maria Inn for $92.00/night w/secured parking.  Dinner will be at Santa Maria BBQ. 

Nov 1-4            SEMA LV Show http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?id=52905  - days of stuff to see.  We get entrance reserved for car vendors and resellers only (no general public).  This is a POCA perk.

Nov 5-6            Willow Springs Open Track featuring Panteras and Ferraris---Jim Saxton 626 285-2024.  The TPOC event is on the fastest track in the West.  It is often seen on Speed TV for car testing.   Why not test your ride where the pros test?  This event is for pro and novice alike classed in 4 groups.

Nov 9               TPOC Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst & Ellis FV. Bring your stories.

Nov 12-13         Vara Finale Big Bore Bash Willow Springs Raceway.  Hear the vintage ROAR.          

Nov 12             TPOC Indoor GoKart Racing - real track time w/ Rick Flores 714 953-5948.  How fast can you pilot one of these quick machines? Are you the best TPOC has to offer? Driving suit & helmet provided.

Nov 13             LB Swap meet 6AM Long Beach Veterans Stadium $8 admission.

Nov 27             LB Swap meet 6AM Long Beach Veterans Stadium $8 admission.

Dec 11             TPOC Christmas Party Meadowlark Golf in Huntington Beach 11-3PM for DeTomaso cars & cheer.  Show your car in the special parking.  Contact Bob Singer 714 960-2323 for tickets at $25 each.

Feb 11-12         Palm Springs Run Judy McCartney offers rides on the Tram or Golfing.

 

If you have an article or picture to publish here, forward me a copy.  Both PI and POCA are looking for articles too.

 

 

Hall Pantera by Esprit Coachwork

 

Did you know that there was a Hall Pantera on the cover of “Dune Buggies and Hot VWs” magazine?  The June 1982 issue by Lane Evans pictured what appeared to be an L version with chrome wire wheels in my favorite color, white.  The same car was featured in “Kit Car Monthly”.

 

Kits were offered in 5 stages ranging from $6,000 to $16,000.  The fiberglass body came in 58 pieces for the most venturesome builder.  Each was mounted to a type III VW pan that was expanded by 4.5 inches to match the Pantera wheelbase.  The pan formed an excellent base for strength and handling, with disc brakes and torsion bar suspension, according to the designers Bruce Anderson and Ken Myers.  Power choices included 1825cc VW or a Turbo Buick V6.

 

A real Pantera was used to form the body molds.  The first plug aged a year to cure completely.  It was then reshaped and became the production mold maker.  Each was hand laid using fire-retardant resin and steel tubing reinforcement depending on options for body stiffness and roll cage.

 

Minor differences were noted including the gills’ lines continuing into the quarter glass panel, a single center mounted wiper, narrow elongated flush mounted side markers, wingless door glass, & rectangular headlights with extended eyebrow (to the bumper) pop-ups.   The rear tail lamps seemed bulky since they contained 4 sections each and were ribbed.  Even the extended rear valance did not hide the familiar VW fan.

 

Gary Hall lent his name to the project.  He was back then recognized and acknowledged as a successful “…Group IV racer who worked for so many years at keeping the Pantera legend alive”.

 

I have found that Esprit went on to produce other cars in fiberglass.  These included a Cobra replica.

 

Thank you Gary for all that you do for us.