HIGHLIGHTS
- Genuine low mileage
- Characterful 1930’s styling
- Excellent build quality and finish
- MOT until May 2023
- Has been garaged
THE APPEAL
The Panther Car Company Limited was founded in 1972 and designed and built around 10 retro-styled models until 1990.
Sold directly from their Brooklands factory (or later, Harlow site), the 1930’s-inspired Panther Kallista was hand-built and assembled to a very high standard. Following the fibreglass-bodied Lima, this lightweight aluminium-bodied 2-door roadster has been expertly constructed and is a cut-above some of it’s independent contemporaries.
This rare pouncing Panther looks fantastic in it’s coat of desirable red paint and was certainly a popular attraction at our photoshoot location. With a comfortable cabin, good power to weight ratio, modern mechanicals and safety features, this 1930’s-styled recreation is without doubt a fun and yet practical car.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Constructed in the Panther factory at Brooklands
- Accompanying sales brochures
- Detailed service history
Built at the Brooklands factory, in Surrey, this stylish Panther was first registered on the 1st of January 1986. Early history has been lost now but in more recent times it resided in the Bournemouth and Southampton areas and was enjoyed for 12 years by the previous custodian.
The current owner recently acquired this Kallista and highlights how sparingly it has been driven. An impressive file of past servicing invoices from local garages happily supports the regular mechanical attention this car has had. Looking online, the current MOT was carried out just 77 miles ago.
Accompanying paperwork includes:
- V5 (in previous owners name)
- Current MOT valid until 5th May 2023
- Previous MOT’s back to 1995
- Currently untaxed
- A comprehensive selection of servicing invoices
- Panther sales brochures and ‘road test’ article
- A workshop manual
THE INTERIOR
- Stylish and comfortable
- Good condition
- Practical features
The original and classy interior is well appointed, surprisingly spacious, and is in great condition.
Burr-walnut surrounds the cabin and the original and stylish black on white VDO gauges offer a vintage sporty-feel. Beyond the wood rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel, the long bonnet and pod-lights certainly add to the exhilarating driving experience.
The comprehensive set of instrumentation is said to function as it should and the central warning lights readily illuminate when the ignition key is turned. Modern safety equipment such as hazard warning lights and rear fog lamps also make this Panther a practical car.
The short-shift gear lever should be pleasure to use and interestingly features a 1935 George V Silver Jubilee coin.
Comfortable leather-grain seats provide good support, and aside from some minor wear to the drivers seat, are in good condition. The black fitted-carpeting is a little worn in the drivers foot-well, but otherwise is unmarked, and the door trims, handles, fixtures and fittings are also very presentable.
Luggage is simply stowed behind the seats and entertainment can be enjoyed via a Kenwood sound system.
THE EXTERIOR
- Wonderful vintage-style presence
- Great condition throughout
- Chrome wire wheels
As mentioned, the aluminium-bodied Kallista was crafted exceptionally well at the Panther factory, and in this case, the gleaming red coachwork really suits this vintage-style 2-seater convertible.
This body is very straight and true and the shut lines are good too. Whilst not 100% perfect (see photos), the paintwork looks original, scratch-free, and is sure to turn heads.
From the original distinctive mesh grille to the luggage rack, the brightwork, badges, lighting, glass, mirrors, door handles, etc., are all intact and in nice condition. The well-fitting hood is excellent and is easy to raise and lower.
The running boards and steel MG Midget-derived doors don’t appear to have any visible signs of corrosion, and looking underneath, the steel chassis and floor look very clean, solid and well painted. The suspension, brake components and stainless steel exhaust also appear in good health.
14” chrome wire wheels finish of the vintage appeal, and whilst not mint, are perfectly fine and have a nice set of Nexen 195/60 R14 tyres attached.
THE MECHANICS
- Very low mileage Ford engine
- Starts and drives really well
- Regularly serviced
Opening the bonnet reveals a tidy bay and the Ford 1.6 4-cylinder CVH engine and single overhead-cam, which should produce around 92bhp and whisk you to 60mph in about 10 seconds. Featuring a single Weber carburettor and electronic ignition, the published overall fuel return of 28-30mpg is pretty good.
A reliable and light Ford 5-speed gearbox (probably a Type-9), heads up the Ford running gear and back axle, and despite the lack of power steering, the owner points out that the rack and pinion steering is light and responsive and the suspension and servo-assisted brakes operate effectively.
Indeed looking at invoices, the suspension has been partially replaced in the past and a new clutch was installed in 2016 at 28,481 miles. Reassuringly, all the mechanicals appear to have been serviced every year regardless of cost.
The current owner has recently fitted two new rear wheel bearings and tells us that this engine starts with ease every time, and on the road, “feels solid and doesn’t rattle” and has a wonderful “fruity” exhaust note.
SUMMARY
This low mileage example is one of a handful still registered on the UK roads today.
If vintage styling is appealing to you but vintage reliability (and cost!) isn’t, then the superb build quality and modern mechanicals of the exclusive and fun Panther Kallista surely represents a great proposition.
