So did anyone see episode 1? Quick synopsis is that they purchased a Pantera once owned by Carroll Shelby. (Where have I heard that one before??). The claim is that this car was the test mule for what would eventually become the Viper in 1991. Big claim. It was missing it's Chrysler 360 Turbo charged engine when it was purchased, and miracles of miracles, they easily found it sitting in a junkyard after 30 years. What really set the tone for this 'extensive restoration' was how they treated this long lost original (?) engine. They threw it on a stand, hooked it up, and fired it up. Pretty suspicious. Is that the best way to treat an engine that you have no idea of the internals? No.
In the end, they didn't rebuild the engine at all, merely throw a fancy paint job on it, and reinstall it in the car.
It was interesting how they tried to make you think this car was as important to automotive history as CSX2000.
I didn't see the episode. Was that by chance a white or red Pantera? We had one of each at Shelby Automobiles, when I worked there.
IIRC: The white one had a turbo 360, the red car was a Chrysler Turbo four with a Lotus 4-valve head.
The white car was a total POS when I saw it at Shelby Gardena prior to the 2018 auction, and shot this photo.
Others here may know more.
A Pantera was not a prototype for the Viper. Completely different setup, as we all know.