1979model Panther Lima

“It might be how wonderful to be able to ride and enjoy a classic car full of nostalgia, dynamically and at great speed, without worrying about the motor and the transmission…!”

“The timeless allure of nostalgia-filled classic cars… Imagine the joy of driving one dynamically, full of speed and thrill, without worrying about the engine or transmission…”

This was the dream that Robert Jankel, founder of Panther Westwinds, envisioned with youthful exuberance during his early years as an entrepreneur. His passionate pursuit of this dream—realized with originality and fervor that astonished the British automotive world—crafted a success story that now stands alongside the likes of Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus, and Sir Alec Issigonis, creator of the Mini, in the history of British automobiles.

Robert Jankel was born in London in 1938, a time when classic roadsters such as the Jaguar SS100 roared through city streets. After studying aeronautical engineering in college, he became captivated by the allure of speed. Much like Colin Chapman, he began modifying Austin 7 cars for racing, immersing himself in the world of backyard engineering. The young Jankel, with oil-stained hair and a notebook brimming with ideas, was so dedicated to his craft that by 1954, at the age of just 16, he built his first car. However, he was unable to sustain himself financially through car development at the time, and reluctantly joined his family’s fashion business, Goldenfeld Ltd.

Even while working in the family business, Jankel spent countless nights restoring and customizing classic cars, including 1930s Rolls-Royce models, in his garage. Though he eventually rose to a managerial position in the company, he could never abandon his dream of building cars.

One pivotal moment came when Jankel, while traveling in Spain with his family in a customized Rolls-Royce, encountered a bullfighter who offered to buy the car for £10,000. Astonished by the unexpected value placed on his work, this experience reignited Jankel’s determination to pursue his long-buried dream of establishing an automobile manufacturing company.

At just 33 years old, with a wealth of experience under his belt, Jankel shifted gears toward becoming a creator of luxury cars. In 1971, he founded Panther Westwinds, named after his hometown, and began building cars based on his imagination in a small warehouse on the southern bank of the River Thames in Elmbridge, Surrey. With a singular focus on creating “nostalgic, classic masterpieces” that could be driven dynamically at thrilling speeds without regard for costs or market positioning, he embarked on a journey of automotive innovation.

Inspired by the iconic cars of his youth, Jankel set out to design super-classic roadsters powered by state-of-the-art engines from manufacturers like Jaguar and Vauxhall. In 1972, he officially launched Panther Westwinds, with the company’s first prototype, the Panther J72, drawing inspiration from the Jaguar SS100. Although the J72 was priced at nearly double that of contemporary Jaguar models, it quickly gained interest from Britain’s affluent class, spurred by magazine advertisements. Jankel began producing the J72 at a pace of one car per week.

To fund the construction of a proper factory, Jankel sold his stakes in the family fashion business and acquired several small subcontractors for body panel production and interior trimming. Panther Westwinds then shifted to full-scale operations, initially taking on subcontract work for Rolls-Royce and other manufacturers while growing to produce three Panthers per week.

The Panther J72, a handcrafted luxury roadster, marked Panther Westwinds’ debut. It embodied Jankel’s unbridled creativity and passion, capturing the hearts of celebrities and affluent clients alike. The car made a sensational debut at the 1973 London Motor Show, where the media hailed it as “unlike anything seen before.” Its coachwork was even rated superior to Rolls-Royce, establishing Panther as a force in the automotive world.

In 1974, Panther introduced the De Ville, a grand luxury car inspired by the Bugatti Royale. In 1976, the company launched the Panther Lima, which would go on to become Panther Westwinds’ most successful model. Despite producing cars in small batches, the company continually created unique vehicles tailored to the desires of its customers.

However, the second oil crisis dealt a heavy blow to Panther Westwinds. The company was reorganized as Jankel Ltd., diversifying into custom luxury cars for brands like Rolls-Royce and Ferrari, as well as armored and escort vehicles. In 1979, Panther was sold to a South Korean businessman. Although the company continued producing models like the aluminum-bodied Panther Kallista, it was sold again in 1989 to South Korea’s KG Mobility.

In summary, the 1979 models, such as the one introduced here, represent the final chapter of what can truly be called “pure British Panthers.”