This newsletter article is a "No Pantera Content" article.  Jim and I just returned from Thailand a few weeks ago and had some automotive observations while on the trip.

 

First, they drive on the opposite side of the road.  You must be very careful crossing streets, because you will naturally look the wrong way to make sure it's OK to cross.  As you would expect from a city of 12 million, Bangkok traffic is crowded and slow almost 24 hours a day.  Traffic is much more organized here than Beijing.  There are almost no bicycles in Bangkok, but lots of scooters and motorcycles.  In a strange way the city is very quiet, because the Thai seldom use their horns, totally unlike NYC where you would swear the horn was wired to a toggle switch!

 

They don't manufacture their own vehicles.  They are all imports from Asia, Europe,and the USA.  The most exotic car that we saw was a Lamborghini Murcielago, in an exotic car showroom window, along with various Porsche models and a 60's E-type Jaguar.  We did see a billboard that had the Ferrari and Masserati logos on it.  Also, a car dealership is called car gallery.  The freeways are very good and most of them are toll roads.

 

While we were there, the Government of Thailand raised the price of gasoline 20% between Tuesday and Wednesday.  This resulted in very long lines at the gas stations, similar to the 1970's gas lines in the US.  The price of premium gas went from 20 to 24 baht per liter.  That converts to a new price of $2.16 a gallon.  By the way, the premium gas is 95 octane and the regular is 91 octane.  Our Panteras would be very happy on this fuel. The major gas brands are ESSO and Shell, with gas stations more plentiful then in the USA. 

 

The heat and humidity there is brutal, so the Pantera would be a real pain.  They have just two seasons, hot and relatively dry (the 'cool' season) and hot/rainy (really hot & wet).  You would just end up permanently wiring the A/C on and forget about an off/on switch!

 

Another unique experience was a ride in a 'long tail' boat.  These are the canoe type boats powered by auto engines with a prop on a 10 foot drive shaft,  made famous in the James Bond movie 'Tomorrow Never Dies'.  The engines ranged from small Rotax plants to turbo charged V8's.  There was lots of vibration at idle, but was quite smooth when throttled up.  We motored through small cannels, similar to Venice, to a floating market.

 

 

The other 'Bond' vehicles were the Tuk-Tuk 3 wheel taxi's.  They're everywhere, quite maneuverable, and practical.  Unfortunately, the opportunity never presented itself to ride in one.

 

 

If you are able to go to Thailand, we would definitely recommend it, even with the one way 16 1/2 hour flight time (2 legs, SFO to Taipei, then to Bangkok).  Come in January, if possible, to have the least heat/humidity experience.  The Grand Palace in Bangkok and the Bang Pa-In Palace near Ayutthaya, fell into the HOLLY  WOW category of places to see in the world.  It's good to be the king!

 

 

We were up early for a Saturday, because we were off to Concord to make it on time for the first of hopefully many future Donut Derelicts.  The weather was clear and sunny, a great day for a drive in  the Pantera.  We were a loaded up, camera, sun hat, maps.  Jim had prepped the Pantera the day before, detailed, fueled,charged the battery, we were belted in and then it happened, or should I say it didn't happen.  The Lucas Gods of darkness struck!  Jim started the car, then it just went dead.  There was no power to anything, the car just sat there quiet and dark.  Well, Jim checked the battery connections, and at first glance appeared fine.  The following week he found the problem was in the main battery cable,  much cheaper to fix than a new ignition switch. Since we were on a mission to get to Donut Derelicts, there was no time to trouble shoot the several problems that could have caused the system failure.  We quickly changed to plan B.  We transferred everything to the Capri and we were off only a few minutes behind schedule.  The traffic was light, so it was an easily drive to Concord.  We have taken both Bailey Road and Kirker Pass Road over from Highway 24 to the Concord area.  Both have the potential of being a fun drive in the Pantera, if the traffic cooperates.  We arrived at the Renaissance Cafe with time to spare.  While the location was good, the coffee and munchies good, the parking good, the turn out was not.  It was a first time attempt and we did meet Ed who has a 308 Ferrari.  The next DD is set for Saturday, April 16th.  The hope is to combine a short drive if there are enough cars, but the drive will be optional. We have Greg Jacobs to thank for all the effort in getting DD going in Northern California.

 

While in Concord, we picked up a fly wheel from Greg Jacobs to be used at the Tech Session in Stockton to help get Terry Eriksen's recently acquired 1974 Pantera #7075 back on the road. (Terry should be our next Capitol Pantera POCA member.)  We arrived in Stockton to find that Mike Drew, Mark Tumbarello, Curt Hall, Mike Lamm were already there.  It looked like a small car show in the neighborhood, Pantera, Cobra, and E-type Jaguar, all parked in front of the garaged Pantera.  A short time later we were joined by Marcus Smith.

The session began with Krispy Kreme Donuts, so it was a mini-DD session of sorts. The main goal was the replacement of the clutch.  Terry had already gotten the parts from PI, done the prep work that Jim had earlier told him to do, had his floor jack and engine lift ready to go. That turned out to be but one of the procedures that were preformed on the formerly Houston based Pantera.  There were numerous electrical concerns that were partially addressed as well as resurfacing the aluminum flywheel prior to it being reinstalled.  Lunch was very good pizza that provided a much needed break.  Part of the group had to leave mid afternoon, but Jim, Marcus, and Mike  worked later.  At about 7:30 pm, Jim and Mike were off to Greg Jacobs to help finish up his race car conversion.  I went home and was sound asleep when Jim and Mike  rolled in at about 12:30 AM.  They then made a CD of the photos that had been taken.  Mike will no doubt be using them in some sort of article.  He was leaving that Monday for Baghdad.  By the way, Mike did drive his 427 Cobra to the sessions and that was how he and Jim got to Concord.  I'm glad it is only a two setter and that I had to drive back to Rio Vista on my own.  I like my creature comforts too much and the Pantera is roughing it enough for me!  When I saw Jim drive off in the Cobra, all bundled up in multiple layers, hat and ear plugs, I was happy to drive home in the Capri with a heater and radio!  I was in bed by 9:30 pm and never heard the guys enter the house that morning!  Thus ended yet another Pantera Saturday, only to know that Jim will be tending to #1575 to have it back on the road for the next Pantera Saturday.  All in all it was a good day!

 

A nice little car show at Terry's home.

 

Notice the absence of friction material on the old clutch disk on the left!

 

Mike & Greg working on the clutch slave cylinder adjustment

 

 

 

John McNamee was not among the attendee.  He was missed for several reasons: Web page bill is due, we want to order shirts with the new CP Logo, money from the raffle to be deposited, dues money to deposit.  John, we missed our club treasurer.

 

The recently re-instituted monthly club meeting raffle was a money raiser this money.   Rick C. ran the raffle for missing treasurer John. With the good attendance and a $3 minimum, we made money!  John did send de Tomaso badges as raffle prizes.  Since there were several , there were several winners!

 

The Tech Session at Rick Carlile's shop has been set for April 24, Sunday , at 10 AM.  We need to get a head count.  If you plan to attend please e-mail Jim at jes@rickadee.net.  If you need directions, Jim will send them to you. Thank you Rick for hosting the group.

 

John McNamee and Jeff Budelli have worked out a  preliminary plan for the CP May Wine Run and BBQ.  At this point is time the end destination is the Fairplay area.  Jeff has already driven the route and has some fun roads in mind for the outing.  We will end the cruise at John's for a BBQ.   We will be sending out an e-mail survey with dates.  We need your help to respond to the date that works best for you.  The first date was a no go for the majority of those attending.  So please respond when you get the new date options.  Thanks to Jeff and John for working on this outing. 

 

The date for the Thunder Valley Brunch Run will depend on when we end up doing the Wine Run.  John W. is on top of this item!  Thank you John.

 

The meeting ended with members moving out to the parking lot to check out the cars.  As we were ready to leave for home, we were struck by the Lucas Demons of Darkness.  The headlights did not come up.  Jim sent me to get help before everyone left.  In true Pantera fashion, the guys came to our assistance.  They swarmed around the car and were able to get the head lights on and up!  With their assistance we were able to get home to Rio Vista under our own power!  Many thanks to the Pantera Boys for their help!