| The Panther West Winds Car
Company was started in 1972 by Bob Jankel and built unusual cars, often
pastiches of older models. The factory was near the Brooklands racetrack in
Surrey. The main models built were:
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| J72: Styled on the Jaguar
SS100, with engines from 3.8, 4.2 or 5.3 V12 engine. Convertible 2 seater,
aluminium body. Approximately 376 built from 1972 to 1986.
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Rio: Based on a Triumph
Dolomite floorpan, 4 door luxury saloon. Only about 18 built
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| Lima Series 1: Small
Bugatti type 2 seater, based on a Vauxhall Magnum floorpan with the 2.3 litre
magnum engine and running gear. GRP body Approx 600 built from 1976 to 1978
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| Lima Series 2: Similar to
the series 1, with 2.3 litre engine, but with stronger box section chassis,
walnut dash. Approx 300 built from 1978 to 1980. Some later registrations due
to stock in Vauxhall garages
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De Ville: Styled on the
Bugatti Royale, 4.2 or 5.3 litre engine. Hard top and convertible versions.
46 saloons and 11 convertibles built, 1976 to 1982
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| Panther Westwinds original factory in Canada Road, Byfleet was set up for production of all models being produced at that time including the Lima. After getting into cash flow problems it was bought from the receivers in late 1980 by Jindo Industries, the company revamp was headed by Young C. Kim and became the Panther Car Company. The new aluminium bodied Kallista was introduced in late 1982. In late 1983, with the ramp up of Kallista production, the company moved its production facilities to a new location inside the Brooklands circuit and retained the Canada Road site for its service department. Production continued there until 1988. The company then moved to a new site at Harlow and continued making the Kallista and then the Solo.
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| Kallista: available with
1.6 or 2.8 Ford engines (subsequently 2.8i or 2.9i engines as Ford changed
designs) Approx 1437 built 1982- 1990
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In 1989/ 90, Panther
stopped production of the Kallista to concentrate on the Solo, carbon fibre
body, 4 wheel drive, 2litre Cosworth engine. Debatably 14-21 made in all,
after which Panther stopped manufacture in the UK.
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