Panther Lima

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The Panther Car Company was the brainchild of Bob Jankel who enthusiastically produced a range of bespoke cars aimed at the smallest of niche markets.

A Jaguar SS100 lookalike in the form of the ‘J72’, a Bugatti Royale-style limousine called the ‘De Ville’ and the Panther ‘6’ which had more than the normal quota of wheels all left the Surrey works based near Brooklands, along with the ferociously expensive ‘Rio’ which was a lavishly equipped version of the Triumph Dolomite.

The most commercially successful product was the Lima, an attractive traditionally styled open two-seater using a bespoke chassis and Vauxhall mechanics. Panther set up a new factory inside the Brooklands circuit to cope with demand, but cash flow problems in the early ‘80s meant that the firm was sold to a Korean businessman, Yung Kim.

Following further investment, the Lima emerged as the Kallista, this time with an aluminium body tub and Ford running gear. These sold with some success, the company expanding to new facilities in Harlow. Alas, the costs associated in developing their next car, the advanced and very attractive Panther ‘Solo’, finally proved too much, bringing about the demise of a firm which had offered a notable array of charmingly ‘off-beat’ cars to the market over the years, assuring their place in motoring history.

The Lima on offer is of particular interest to Panther enthusiasts as it is one of the very first prototypes and was commissioned especially for Bob Jankel himself. Known to be the only Lima existing with a factory made aluminum body rather than the usual glass-fibre, it is also believed to have been used on Panther's Motorshow stand that year and sent to Classic Cars Magazine for their road-test in 1976.

The car has been in the same family since 1990, the vendor confirming that the indicated 23,000 miles is correct. It was originally painted in striking yellow and black and at some time has been fitted with a 5-speed gearbox from a Sierra. It is reported to run and drive as it should and is complete with a hood and tonneau and retains its original leather upholstery. Its MOT expires in April 2015.

It’s not very often that an opportunity comes along to get your hands on a slice of motoring history. If Panthers are your thing, you have no alternative but to come along and buy this one. This is a unique opportunity to get your hands on the great man’s own, unique, prototype, the ex-Motorshow road-test Lima. Bid vigorously now or kick yourself for your hesitancy hereafter!