Does the Pantera have any lessons for us?
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Does the Pantera have any lessons for us?
Lots of concern on the forum about luggage space.
Looking at one of these recently, there was a fair amount of space above the trans in which a removable "trunk" was fitted.. Certainly enough for the set of golf clubs or other luggage. A modern engine will be less tall without the big intake, carb and air cleaner. So enough space for a Ferrari style folding roof. So, in terms of packaging, is this basically what we are looking at with the ME?
Looking at one of these recently, there was a fair amount of space above the trans in which a removable "trunk" was fitted.. Certainly enough for the set of golf clubs or other luggage. A modern engine will be less tall without the big intake, carb and air cleaner. So enough space for a Ferrari style folding roof. So, in terms of packaging, is this basically what we are looking at with the ME?
The following users liked this post:
JerriVette (05-27-2018)
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2011
Location: Holly Springs NC
Posts: 14,378
Received 1,609 Likes
on
1,037 Posts
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Not to throw cold water on this, but the Pantera was a unibody design. Highly doubtful the Corvette would follow. That would probably have an impact on engine placement and any rear storage capability.
#5
The Pantera was normally aspirated and I don't remember any radiators besides the coolant radiator in the nose. I imagine that the C8 will have some heat exchangers and radiators that the Pantera didn't have and that will eat up a lot of room.
The Lotus Europa had a removable trunk like the Pantera and despite being a really small car had a fair amount of luggage space.
It just depends on the priority that they have placed on luggage/golf bag carrying ability. Personally, I don't golf, so I hope that the emphasis will be on keeping the car small and light and ignore the two golf bag carrying requirement that drove the design of previous generations, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Lotus Europa had a removable trunk like the Pantera and despite being a really small car had a fair amount of luggage space.
It just depends on the priority that they have placed on luggage/golf bag carrying ability. Personally, I don't golf, so I hope that the emphasis will be on keeping the car small and light and ignore the two golf bag carrying requirement that drove the design of previous generations, but I'm not holding my breath.
#6
Team Owner
The Pantera was normally aspirated and I don't remember any radiators besides the coolant radiator in the nose. I imagine that the C8 will have some heat exchangers and radiators that the Pantera didn't have and that will eat up a lot of room.
The Lotus Europa had a removable trunk like the Pantera and despite being a really small car had a fair amount of luggage space.
It just depends on the priority that they have placed on luggage/golf bag carrying ability. Personally, I don't golf, so I hope that the emphasis will be on keeping the car small and light and ignore the two golf bag carrying requirement that drove the design of previous generations, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Lotus Europa had a removable trunk like the Pantera and despite being a really small car had a fair amount of luggage space.
It just depends on the priority that they have placed on luggage/golf bag carrying ability. Personally, I don't golf, so I hope that the emphasis will be on keeping the car small and light and ignore the two golf bag carrying requirement that drove the design of previous generations, but I'm not holding my breath.
#7
We all have a car that we say we should have kept. Mine is the Pantera. In fact, the mid engine feeling (it almost came in between the seats) is what is making me hold off from buying a C7. I never tried, but I don't think I could have gotten a set of clubs in the back with the storage tray.
The following 4 users liked this post by hit&run:
#8
Le Mans Master
Water and A/C radiators are expected to be up front.
#9
Drifting
I have never seen a ME with as much uncluttered space as a Pantera. Having said that I can’t imagine any new ME car having that kind of space what with all the emissions, safety and track related heat exchangers that would be fighting for space. By the way I bet that the Pantera’s storage area is so hot you could probably cook a nice holiday meal.
I still would take one in a heart beat.
I still would take one in a heart beat.
Last edited by Guard Dad; 05-25-2018 at 07:40 PM.
#10
Race Director
The Pantera is a beauty but the cockpit is too small & the door too short which Im
sure the C8 will correct.
heres your solution re golf, choose a better sport of which there are many. Or hire an Uber to take your clubs. Problem solved.
sure the C8 will correct.
heres your solution re golf, choose a better sport of which there are many. Or hire an Uber to take your clubs. Problem solved.
The following users liked this post:
JerriVette (05-27-2018)
#11
Burning Brakes
Simple solution if golfing by yourself, or if you aren’t driving to the course with a passenger: PUT YOUR CLUBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT! Compromise for the greater good!
#12
Racer
We all have a car that we say we should have kept. Mine is the Pantera. In fact, the mid engine feeling (it almost came in between the seats) is what is making me hold off from buying a C7. I never tried, but I don't think I could have gotten a set of clubs in the back with the storage tray.
The following users liked this post:
JerriVette (05-27-2018)
#13
#14
Safety Car
Anyone please try this on a C7?
Last edited by elegant; 05-26-2018 at 10:54 AM.
#15
Le Mans Master
I still have nightmares about missing buying it as I tried but but ran out of time as gathering that money was going to take me about a day or so.
Looks like I had to wait another 30+ years to get a ME.
#16
Team Owner
#17
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,453
Received 4,376 Likes
on
2,067 Posts
It is not a pure unibody. The frame can be driven without the body panels. Well if you could keep enough of the electronics to keep from throwing codes to shut the car down. I have seen more than a few pictures of C4 and above Corvettes driven without body panels.
It is not body on frame either. You can't just lift the body off the frame by undoing a few bolts, hoses, and linkages.
It is more of a perimeter frame. Kind of like a Fiero. but different.
Things just are not as simple as they used to be.
It is not body on frame either. You can't just lift the body off the frame by undoing a few bolts, hoses, and linkages.
It is more of a perimeter frame. Kind of like a Fiero. but different.
Things just are not as simple as they used to be.
#18
Melting Slicks
#19
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,453
Received 4,376 Likes
on
2,067 Posts
While I managed to live several years with only a small two seaters without this being an insurmountable problem, most Corvette owners have more than one car.
#20