Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: My New Sleeper Project (Read 2687 times) previous topic - next topic

My New Sleeper Project

Thought some of you classic Ford guys here would appreciate this. This is our dear Fox's cousin in Ford goodness, The Panther. Specifically, a 1980 LTD 2-Door Slicktop base-model. I wanted something to build into a drag-race Sleeper. Something that no one would ever suspect would be fast. This granny ride should fit the bill nicely, and should help me embarrass quite a few people at the track. A built 460C is in the works for this car as we speak.

It has been an NC car its entire life, and is around 95% rust-free overall. Body is  straight as well, which is what sold me on this one. I replaced the Hood and Decklid with nice junkyard panels awhile back, since the original's where rusted out. Still has the stock 302 with Variable Venturi Carb, which runs like a raped 140hp ape once you get it warmed up.

Enjoy the pics!









































Anyone else here have a thing for 1979-2012 Ford Panthers? I have an '04 Lincoln Town Car as well, which is a pleasure to daily drive.



.

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #1 –
They make cool drag cars

Clean ride

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #2 –
My first car was an 84 coupe. Brings back good memories. These cars are completely indestructable. I used to take it off road, jump it, and ram things with it. It never needed anything.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #3 –
Rofl lmfao

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #4 –
That is the perfect color too, leave the stock interior in there and no one will ever suspect that car can run.
2002 Honda Civic EX

1984 Ford Thunderbird Elan
5.0 CFI, T5, Dual Exhaust

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #5 –
I am so jealous! I love the panther chassis. My first car was an 82 ltd sedan, then I had an 89 crown victoria lx then later I had a 97 grand marquis ls. I alqays wanted a box coupe though! 1979-1991(box) 1992-1997(aero) 1998-2011(whale).

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #6 –
That is a cool box Panther.
 
 
Big B : Anyone else here have a thing for 1979-2012 Ford Panthers? I have an '04 Lincoln Town Car as well, which is a pleasure to daily drive.
 
 
 
The ultimate Panther

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #7 –
Put some dogdish hub caps on it and respray it in that color and leave it alone.

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #8 –
I'd hit it like it was the town slut on prom night. :rollin:
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #9 –
That car is shagY! I am serious, man. Love the green interior. So retro!

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #10 –
That was my first thought as well. SO jealous. The coloring, especially on the inside, makes it look an easy 10 or 15 years older than it actually is. Awesome score. That has to be an incredibly rare color....not to mention a slicktop 2-door. I was shocked the first time I saw a picture of a 2-door Panther. Not until now have I seen a slicktop one. Always seems like they've got the vinyl top!
1987 20th Anniversary Cougar, 302 "5.0" GT-40 heads (F3ZE '93 Cobra) and TMoss Ported H.O. intake, H.O. camshaft
2.5" Duals, no cats, Flowmaster 40s, Richmond 3.73s w/ Trac-Lok, maxed out Baumann shift kit, 3000 RPM Dirty Dog non-lock TC
Aside from the Mustang crinkle headers, still looks like it's only 150 HP...
1988 Black XR7 Trick Flow top end, Tremec 3550
1988 Black XR7 Procharger P600B intercooled, Edelbrock Performer non-RPM heads, GT40 intake AOD, 13 PSI @5000 RPM. 93 octane

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #11 –
There's a guy up the street who always drove one. He might still have it. I think he's had 2 or 3 of them over the years.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
5.0L Speed density
Explorer intake
'92 Mustang GT cam
GT-40 racing heads
Unequal length headers
Custom-made duals
19# injectors
65mm TB
AFPR
T/C header panel
11" brake upgrade
T/C rear sway bar
Electrical mods: too many to list :D

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #12 –
And it even has the 302 instead of the measily 255

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #13 –
Glad you're putting a 460 in it I can barely see the motor hiding in there. Looks great. I've always been a big fan of the square body early 80's town cars. When I have some money and a family starting I'm going to build a stout HO and slam down in one. Talk about haulin ass with class

My New Sleeper Project

Reply #14 –
Thanks for the compliments guys. Great to see so many people here with a love for Panthers. These old Boxes are getting more and more rare, so few people have wanted them over the years, and they are slowly going away now. Which is why when I found this '80 for $800, I knew I had to jump on it.

This is somewhat of a rare car. For the most part only the Police Interceptor and Fleet models came Slicktop. The rest all had Vinyl tops standard.

Found the actual production numbers.

1980 Ford Panther: LTD/LTD-S/Country Squire - Total Production - 141,292

LTD Sedan, 2D - 15,333



Since you guys seem to have a love for these cars, I will share a few pics of my baby. This one only has 58K miles on it, is near mint, 99% rust-free, and stays garaged most of the year. A 1980 Lincoln Continental Mark VI Coupe. Which sits on the same Heavy Duty frame as the Crown Vic Police Interceptor. Was originally a CFI 351w car. I swapped an SEFI 5.0 HO from a '91 T-Bird in it last year. This car was originally from the bronx area of New York, but was garaged for it's entire life, and never driven in the snow. Still has old dried blood stains in the trunk from mob victims. Rides like a dream.

















Yea, I have alot of cars, 4 others in fact...Grundy CC insurance loves me right now....