In 1972 Robert Jankel founded Panther Westwinds who manufactured a variety of eclectic niche luxury cars sold under the Panther Brand which were notable for their retro styling and use of parts from mass produced vehicles particularly Jaguar in the early days.

From 1974 to 1985 the company, which was sold on to the South Korean Jindo Corporation in 1980 manufactured the Panther De Ville the most expensive production car manufactured in the UK.

Styled on the 1927 Bugatti Type 41 ‘Royale’ the De Ville could be ordered with either a Jaguar straight 6 or V12 motors which gave it plenty of performance until the aerodynamics kicked in.

It is believed 57 neo classic De Villes were manufactured including 11 convertibles and one six door stretch De Ville Las Vegas Limousine. A two door De Ville was aptly chosen for the Cruella de Ville character in the live action 101 Dalmations film.

This particular left hand drive example, seen at last years Classic Motor Show, is powered by a Jaguar V12 motor and built in 1976. It appears not to have been registered in the UK until 1988.

Thanks for joining me on this “Neo-Classic Luxury” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !