Note from editor: Here's is an example of what I think a component car should be - never finished, and an expression of it's owner. Following are a few pictures, along with some of the dialogue with me in Ken's e-mail, which I think is informative. Enjoy!
| Ken: "One of the big differences resulting in using the ZF in place of the Corvair transaxle was that the engine could be moved to the rear about 10 inches or so. This is because the Corvair unit had the 4 speed gearbox section positioned between the clutch and the differential. The ZF on the other hand, places a 5 speed gearbox behind the differential, allowing the engine and clutch to be positioned further back." |
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"This allowed me to remove the standard molded in seat backs, and made it possible to install fiberglass seats in the best position for driving. In addition, it's much easier to service anything on the front of the engine." |
| "I got really lucky with the transaxle when I stopped by a Lincoln-Mercury dealer one day in 1976, and out of curiosity, asked how much a new Pantera ZF gearbox would cost. They said because Ford was no longer selling the Pantera, they decided to dump their inventory of Pantera spares, and as long as I was an owner, I could purchase a new ZF transaxle for only $750. So I convinced them that my father owned a 1974 Pantera (not - my dad has no interest in cars), and I gave them a $50 deposit. I know now it was a great deal, but $750 was a lot of money for me back then (and still is) and I remember having to borrow it from my father, and trying to explain why I needed to have this particular transaxle." | |
| "As far as the T-top conversion, I have no regrets about cutting the roof. I carefully marked where I planned to cut it, and just went at it. I left a 4 inch wide rib down the center to help support the windshield. When I first took the car for a ride after cutting the roof sections out, I realized the rib was flexing drastically each time I hit a bump. So I got a piece of 1/4" thick steel, about 3" wide, and cut a length of it to fit the bottom side of the remaining roof spar. After bending the steel to match the roof profile, and bonding it in with plenty of resin and matt, the body regained most of its previous strength." |
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| "Getting in and out of the car with the roof sections off is so much easier. If I lived in a sunnier climate, I probably would have lost the tops altogether by now. In the future, I may design a single fabric top to use in place of the T-tops during the warmer months. Something that could be easily folded up and stored behind the seats." |
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| The car originally had a 4 bbl carburetor, Kens Tuned Port Injection sure looks bitchin, eh? |
There's something almost erotic about a high tech mill under glass!
You know what, I think this even looks like a hoot to drive around, and I'll be it draws just as much attention. Seriously, it does give you an idea of how these cars are constructed. |
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Let's see, gray gravel, gray skies, gray house -- hmmm -- there seems to be a pattern here! Webmaster retouched photo below - the page needed some color! :)
"There are a couple reasons why I have not yet painted my car. The major factor is available funds. Except for one or two items, this car has been constructed on a shoe-string budget. Over the years, when I did have money that could be allocated to the car, there was usually something I wanted to do on the engine or chassis that was a high priority. Within the next year or so, I do expect to finally paint the car, or have it painted. I am considering a yellow, like the late model Corvette, or simply white with a single, wide red stripe. I want a color that will be kind to my body work, and relatively easy to match or touch-up."
Below: Probably the only view you're likely to see on the road, but you won't get this close!
Ken has put his own touches in on the body work as you can see from all these pictures. I guess Ken wanted something unusual, not your average run of the mill Valkyrie, like you see everyday! Nice job Ken, be sure to send pics when you get her painted, and thanks for your contribution to the website.
| Looking through my hard drive, I found a bunch of pics that Ken had sent me. Since I didn't have the front view of his car, I thought I would add it in, so, here it is |  |
You can contact Ken at 
