Pantera Pics from the early days
10-05-2002, 12:35 PM
#111
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This is a pic. of the first canopied race boat ever built.I have another pic.of this 28 on the first page of this thread.
It had sitdown Recaro seats with shock absorbers,air oxygen tanks,and 5 point harness belts.
We began work on this concept in 1984 and showed up at the Miami race in 1985.APBA told us it was to far ahead of its time and needed time to consider it.
A few months later a few Superboats began using the concept.
JO
It had sitdown Recaro seats with shock absorbers,air oxygen tanks,and 5 point harness belts.
We began work on this concept in 1984 and showed up at the Miami race in 1985.APBA told us it was to far ahead of its time and needed time to consider it.
A few months later a few Superboats began using the concept.
JO
10-05-2002, 12:41 PM
#113
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This pic. was taken at a race either in Ft. Myers or Sarasota.
It has my Father in the background in the black boat with another Pantera 28 called boats unlimited and the Seahawk of Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta and a 30 foot Sutphen called Magic Gems.
JO
It has my Father in the background in the black boat with another Pantera 28 called boats unlimited and the Seahawk of Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta and a 30 foot Sutphen called Magic Gems.
JO
10-05-2002, 12:43 PM
#114
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This is a pic. of a 1977 24 Pantera powered with twin 6 cylinders and Alpha 1 drives.This boat is still located here in Miami and seen quite often with original gelcoat colors.
JO
JO
10-06-2002, 08:22 PM
#115
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This pic . was taken at Lake X in 1978.If you look closely you will see my fathers 24 way in the background having R and D work done on the first 2.4 Mercs. built before doing the record run.
Betty Cookes 38 Scarab is also pictured. ( Kaama ).
My Father entered a few races that year before the record run was made and the motors would not last at any race he went to.
Since My father was not to confident the motors would last on a 1300 mile trip to New York they ate all the food they had with them before they arrived in West Palm Beach 2 hours North of Miami.
The motors survived the trip and had a powerhead let go a few miles away from New York City.
JO
Betty Cookes 38 Scarab is also pictured. ( Kaama ).
My Father entered a few races that year before the record run was made and the motors would not last at any race he went to.
Since My father was not to confident the motors would last on a 1300 mile trip to New York they ate all the food they had with them before they arrived in West Palm Beach 2 hours North of Miami.
The motors survived the trip and had a powerhead let go a few miles away from New York City.
JO
10-06-2002, 08:31 PM
#118
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This picture has My Father giving me some input on how to throttle a boat.
I was 6 years old at the time.
Now I give my Father some input on driving the boat sometime when we race together. 
JO
I was 6 years old at the time.Now I give my Father some input on driving the boat sometime when we race together.
JO
10-06-2002, 08:35 PM
#119
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Over the years we have always had a black shop cat with us at all times for good luck.
This was the first one in 1975.
We have one with us now that is 17 years old and still going strong.She loves to roll around in fibeglass.
JO
This was the first one in 1975.
We have one with us now that is 17 years old and still going strong.She loves to roll around in fibeglass.
JO
10-06-2002, 08:44 PM
#120
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And this is Ely.She is 17 years old now and a bit light headed but she loves fiberglass.She walks around the entire factory for a fresh patch of raw glass to roll around in.
You gotta love them Pantera eyes!!! 
JO
You gotta love them Pantera eyes!!!
JO
