Panther Rio

The Panther Rio was a British luxury sedan based on the Triumph Dolomite, which was manufactured by Panther Westwinds 1975-1976.

The concept: a boutique -Car

Panther Westwinds had become known since the early 1970s with replica models, in particular the Panther J72, the 100 represented a relatively accurate copy of a Jaguar SS, had been received by the market and by the press. Buoyed by these successes, diversified its production Panther mid-1970s, both - with the Panther Lima - in cheaper market segments as well as in the superclass; latter area should be presented in 1974 that Panther De Ville operate an extra-judicial reinterpretation of the Bugatti T 41 " Royale ".

At the time of the oil crisis in 1973/74 was trying to find an answer to the collapse of the market for large, strong consumption of luxury vehicles Panther founder Robert Jankel. To this end, he developed the idea of a compact luxury vehicle, in which the price was not justified by the size but by the high quality features.

It was clear early on that for cost reasons a vehicle new development should be largely dispensed with. So Robert Jankel decided ultimately to the concept of so-called boutique Cars, in which a mass-produced car while retaining the essential design features and structures was alienated profound modifications to the body by more or less, and enhanced by an exclusive interior. This concept was ultimately an adaptation of the traditional coach building to the circumstances of modernity, in the self-supporting bodies and strict safety regulations much more difficult for individual structures luxury vehicles, if not impossible.

Had a boutique Cars originated in the U.S., where since the 1950s vehicles from El Morocco ( a Chevrolet with body extensions in Cadillac style) on the Corvorado of Les Dunham ( a Chevrolet Corvette with Cadillac Eldorado trains ) up to 1971 resurrected Stutz had established a corresponding tradition. In Europe, Panther Westwinds was one of the first companies to pursue this approach; with only a slight delay produced Monteverdi with the Sierra (1976 ) or Felber with various designs boutique vehicles.

The car in detail

With the Panther Rio Robert Jankel pursued his own words, the desire to provide a car for customers on the legs, which examined the style of a Rolls- Royce in a more economical environment and not in a vulgar Jankels view from Mercedes -Benz to ( wanted or descend ).

For its small luxury sedan Robert Jankel fell back on the Triumph Dolomite, a mass-produced compact four-door notchback sedan with rear-wheel drive from the British Leyland group. The vehicle had offered because it had more or less sporty engines and beyond - not least because it is still based in the base on a construction from the early 1960s - the driver allowed a comfortable, upright riding position.

Panther was the technique of Dolomite completely untouched; the passenger compartment including glass surfaces remained unchanged. The body below the waistline, however, was completely redesigned; she was hand-crafted from aluminum and had angular lines that should give a classy impression. This purpose is pursued also a temple-like grille, which rested between two rectangular headlights ( the Ford Granada). At the rear, the taillights installed Panther of the Triumph TR6, the place at the same time also some models of Monteverdi use. The roof was upholstered in black vinyl. The newly built ( not covered by Triumph) seats were upholstered in Connolly leather, there was next to thick wool carpets and a walnut wood trim of the dashboard.

The Panther Rio was offered in two versions: as a "base" model with a 1.85 -liter four- cylinder and as Rio Especial with the 2.0 -liter 16 -valve Triumph Dolomite Sprint of.

The Panther Rio was introduced to the public in September 1975. The sale price was 9445 pounds sterling for a Rio Especial. It was thus slightly below the price that was required for a Bristol 411. By comparison, the Triumph Dolomite Sprint, on the Rio -based, cost 3283 pounds, and a Jaguar XJ V12 was to have for 7496 pounds.

The distribution

At the presentation of the Panther Rio, there were negotiations with the automobile dealer HR Owen, who was considering to order about 100 copies of the Rio. It was ultimately nothing; major reason for this was the very high price, which made ​​it seem the sales of 100 cars to be illusory.

A total of not more than 38 Panther Rio were made during the year 1976. One of the vehicles is currently in Germany.