Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
1974 Panther J. 72
1 owner from new
Estimate
£15, 000 - £20, 000
Registration No: PAM 303
Chassis No: W096R
MOT: Exempt
Very rare Panther J. 72 model, being one of only 368 produced
1 owner example having been specified by and supplied new to the vendor
Fitted with a 4. 2-litre Jaguar engine
Offered from a private collection
Founded by engineer Bob Jankel in 1971, Panther West Winds Limited rose to public prominence by hand-building expensive, high-quality, retro-styled luxury sports cars using modern components. The firm's first volume-selling car - the Vauxhall Magnum-based Lima, which was sold through the Vauxhall dealer network - appeared in 1976, but before then the formula combining modern engineering and performance with bygone era styling had been established by the J72. Built between 1972 and 1980, the latter was Panther's first production model and owed its inspiration to the SS100 Jaguar of the late 1930s. Such was the superb quality of its construction that the J72 won the Silver Medal for coachwork at the 1973 London Motor Show, beating the likes of Rolls-Royce. Running gear was mainly Jaguar, there being a choice of XK six-cylinder or V12 engines, with automatic transmission the norm on later models. By the time production ceased just 368 J72s were thought to have been made.
This example was built to the vendor’s specifications in 1974 and has therefore enjoyed just one owner from new. Indeed, his name is recorded on the chassis plate fixed to the car’s engine bay. Finished in white with white upholstery, wooden dashboard, white rimmed steering wheel and white hood, it is powered by Jaguar’s 4. 2-litre engine breathing through twin SU carburettors allied to a manual gearbox. A rack is fitted on the rear allowing more luggage to be carried for touring. Showing just 7, 361 miles and offered with an original sales brochure plus current V5c 'PAM 303' is a reluctant sale due to the ill health of the vendor.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
