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| Panther Westwinds | |
|---|---|
| Name | Panther Westwinds |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Robert Jankel |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Surrey, England |
| Key people | Robert Jankel, Barry Megson |
| Products | Sports cars, luxury cars |
| Production | Low-volume coachbuilt vehicles |
Panther Westwinds was a British specialty automobile manufacturer and coachbuilder active from 1972 to 1990. Founded by Robert Jankel, the company produced retro-styled grand tourers, bespoke coupés and limited-run convertibles that blended classic Jaguar and Rolls-Royce aesthetics with modern drivetrains. Panther vehicles were sold to private clients, celebrities and niche dealers across United Kingdom, United States, Europe and the Middle East.
Panther Westwinds originated when Robert Jankel left Jowett and other early automotive ventures to establish a coachbuilding firm in Surrey, England. Drawing on connections with suppliers serving Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley, the firm carved a niche producing bespoke bodies on established mechanicals. During the 1970s and 1980s Panther collaborated with dealers and distributors such as Seymour Powell and engaged engineers with experience from Lotus, BRM, BRM Engineering, and Cosworth to adapt BMW, Ford, Rover, and Triumph components. Economic pressures including the 1973 oil crisis, changes in United Kingdom taxation and competition from low-volume manufacturers such as TVR and Morgan Motor Company influenced Panther’s fortunes. Panther underwent restructuring, asset transfers and briefly ceased operations in the late 1980s before final closure in 1990.
Panther produced several named models, often with coachbuilt variants. The Panther J72 was a retro two-seater inspired by SS Cars Limited designs, using Jaguar mechanicals and attracting clientele including Elvis Presley–era collectors and British aristocracy. The Panther Rio was a bespoke luxury four-door coupé built on Triumph and later Ford platform components, aimed at Rolls-Royce buyers wanting individuality. The Panther Lima used Vauxhall and Ford drivetrains in a fixed-head coupé package. The Panther Kallista was an open two-seater roadster based on Ford mechanicals; it competed in the small-displacement niche occupied by MG and Triumph models. Later special projects included the Panther conversion of Humber and Rover derivatives, coachbuilt commissions for private clients and one-off prototypes shown at British International Motor Show events and regional exhibitions in Geneva Motor Show and Essen Motor Show.
Panther styling married retro motifs with contemporary construction: long hoods, flowing wings and upright grilles echoing Bentley 4¼ Litre and pre-war Bentley coachwork while incorporating modern lighting and interior amenities sourced from Vauxhall, Ford, and Rover. The engineering approach used donor components from mass-market manufacturers to ensure parts availability: Ford Pinto engines, Rover V8 powerplants, and Jaguar XK straight-six units were integrated into bespoke tubular frames and reinforced monocoques. Suspension setups often borrowed from Triumph or tuned variants from Lotus engineers; braking systems utilized components from Lucas Industries suppliers. Interiors featured materials sourced through suppliers servicing Rolls-Royce and Bentley, including leather from Connolly (leather), wood veneers linked to traditional coachwork houses, and instrumentation influenced by Smiths Group designs.
Production occurred in small batches from workshops in Surrey and outsourced coachbuilding facilities in Chertsey and nearby industrial towns. Panther employed traditional hand-formed aluminium and steel coachwork techniques alongside more modern fiberglass panels for some models, reflecting practices used by Caterham Cars and TVR contemporaries. Supply-chain relationships with Ford of Europe, Vauxhall Motors, Jaguar Cars, and specialist sub-contractors supported low-volume manufacture. Quality control followed bespoke coachbuilding standards rather than mass-production assembly-line protocols, and vehicles often required extended build times for one-off interior trims and client-specific options.
Although not primarily a racing firm, Panther vehicles appeared in historic racing and club-level events, often campaigned by privateers in Historic Sports Car Club and British Automobile Racing Club meetings. The J72 and Kallista, with tuned Jaguar and Ford engines respectively, were adapted for hill climbs and vintage racing circuits such as Goodwood Circuit and Brands Hatch. Panther also collaborated with tuners and engine builders with pedigrees at Cosworth and Lotus to offer performance upgrades, and some export models were modified to meet regulations for SCCA competition in the United States.
Robert Jankel led Panther Westwinds from its founding; ownership changes and management shifts occurred as the company sought investment and expansion. Financial pressures led to restructuring and engagement with investors from Middle East and Europe. Attempts to broaden the product line and enter new markets involved partnerships with distributors in United States, Germany, and Japan, and negotiations with coachbuilders and supply partners linked to Rolls-Royce Motors and Jaguar Cars. Despite niche demand, limited economies of scale and competition from specialist manufacturers constrained long-term profitability.
Panther Westwinds left a legacy as part of the British low-volume coachbuilding tradition alongside Morgan Motor Company, Carrozzeria Touring influences, and contemporary boutique manufacturers. Panther models are represented in private collections, National Motor Museum, and historic vehicle registries, attracting enthusiasts from Vintage Sports-Car Club and preservation societies. The brand influenced later revivalist projects and bespoke coachbuilders, and its vehicles appear in film, television and celebrity collections, contributing to the narrative of bespoke British automotive craftsmanship in the late 20th century.
Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England Category:Coachbuilders of the United Kingdom