1975 Panther Rio

Panther Rio (Saloon), 1975-1977

The Panther Rio was in production from 1975 until 1977. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating four adults.

The Rio was a response to the energy crisis of 1973 - Panther thought that there was a market for a car which encapsulated the grace and pace of something like a Jaguar, on a more compact and affordable scale. But with limited resources, Panther boss Robert Jankel sought to base his new car on an existing frame. Under the skin, a Panther Rio is little more than a Triumph Dolomite 1850 - or a Sprint, in the form of the Especial. Aluminium panelwork and the finest trimmings couldn't completely disguise the Triumph origins, but early indications were positive, with Panther talking of pre-orders of 100 cars from H R Owen.

However, just 38 numbers separate the first and final chassis numbers, and more surprisingly still it's since been revealed that Panther only used every second chassis number in order to make the production run seem larger. It's therefore clear that just 19 were built - and as far as anyone can tell this number was split almost equally between 1850 and Especial models. Part of this would be down to the price - £8397 for a Rio and £9446 for an Especial meant that Panther was taking aim at the Mercedes-Benz S-class and Daimler Vanden Plas in terms of price, while a standard Dolomite 1850 could be had for under £3000 and a Sprint for £3283. People who could afford the car could afford the bills it was designed to avoid.

The closest rival to the Panther Rio would have been the Vanden Plas 1500 - based on the Allegro and hand trimmed, it was neither as expensive nor as exclusive as the Panther but it catered to a similar demographic of well-to-do types embarrassed by the consumption of their luxury barges. We're not sure how many Rapport Ritzes were built in the 1980s but the concept was similar, as is that of the Aston Martin Cygnet. If it's how the Rio drives that you find appealing, why not consider a Triumph Dolomite 1850 or Sprint instead for a fraction of the price? The styling would be largely recycled for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, if you can afford the fuel bills.