THE HISTORY OF THE PANTHER KALLISTA 1982-1990

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

First produced as prototypes in 1982 by The Panther Car Company, the Kallista was a direct descendant from the Lima, built by The Panther Westwinds Company in the late ‘70’s. Therefore any history of the Kallista must firstly acknowledge and appreciate its roots in the Lima.

 

 

PANTHER LIMA

 

Founded in 1972 by Robert Jankel, The Panther Westwinds Company’s specialization was based upon the low-volume production of hand crafted expensive ‘replicars’ which were ‘exotic cars for even more exotic customers. By the mid ‘70’s It was clear this was no recipe for the growth that this extraordinary specialist company needed if it was to retain its independence. This could only happen with a relatively cheap, relatively high-volume model - a sort of bread-and-butter Panther - that retained the marques familiar virtues. So came about the fibre-glass bodied Lima, created by the entrepreneurial Robert Jankel.

 

A great precedent was achieved with the launch of Lima as specialist Panther linked closely with mass producer Vauxhall, who agreed to provide components for the Lima - and appointment of key Vauxhall Dealers to sell the car.

 

The design of Lima was started by Jankel in mid-’76, and offended by the label ‘replicar’, put on the J72 and De Ville models went to great lengths to base Lima’s design on nothing in particular - although in essence it was a distillation of the best of 1930’s classic sports car design. In striking manner, it had to reek of nostalgia and the times when motoring was fun. Two important additional selling features of Lima were the modern saloon ride comfort and the ease of maintenance from the utilisation of readily-available Vauxhall parts.

 

Development of Lima took place at a rapid pace and after just a few months the prototype was shown at the October 1976 Earls Court London Motorshow, to a very positive reception. (87 firm orders each with a £500 deposit).

 

 

Technically the first Lima (S1) incorporated many Vauxhall parts including a much-modified pressed steel Magnum floorpan which was strengthened with a new steel bulkhead, some interior stress-bearing steel panelling, and tubular structures under the door sills. Suspension was standard Vauxhall and the engine was the Magnum’s 2279cc 4-cylinder unit, producing 108 bhp at 5000rpm. With steel doors (from the MG Midget), a tubular steel superstructure was mounted to the floor and formed a frame for the unstressed fiberglass body. The high quality body was moulded in two main sections only, forward and rear, divided behind the doors.

 

It was Lima’s detailing that made it a true Panther including a stylish two-tone colour scheme and colour-matched Connolly leather seat facings. Options included an integral front full spoiler, tonneau cover, auto transmission, ZF 5-speed gearbox and Dealer Team Vauxhall sports parts. Production of Lima grew rapidly from 190 in 1977 to 250 in 1978 and 350 in 1979. At its launch, Lima sold for just under £5000 for the standard car.

 

A significant re-engineering of Lima took place with the introduction of the superior Lima S2 model in 1979 which featured a stronger purpose-built chassis and other detailed changes including a full veneer fascia.

Various financial difficulties including a drop in sales of the more expensive Lima S2 model led to the calling in of the Receiver to Panther Westwinds just before Christmas in December 1979. One immediate consequence was that in January half the workforce were made redundant but limited production of cars continued whilst the Receiver sought a buyer for the Company as a going concern. This process took some time and by September the last car was built and in October the remaining workforce were laid off. Finally the Company assets - including a stock of unfinished Limas - were transferred to the new owner the Korean Y C Kim in November with the re-named ‘Panther Car Company Limited’ launched in early 1981.

 

Subsequently during 1981 and the first part of 1982 the definitive ‘Mark IV’ Limas were built in a limited volume of around 23 units. A ‘Mark IV’ was exhibited for the last time at the October 1981 Earl’s Court Motorfair -alongside the re-engineered J72 called ‘Brooklands’ and a De Ville - all 3 in a striking black and white two-tone livery.

 

 

THE BIRTH OF KALLISTA

 

It was during 1981 that the future model line-up of Y C Kim’s newly acquired Panther Car Company was closely evaluated. First consideration was given to the assets which in model terms were J72, De Ville, and Lima for which various cars and parts had been transferred to the new Company - plus of course the rights to continue manufacture.

 

A market opportunity was clearly evident following British Leyland’s decision to stop production of both its MG and TR7 ‘British’ sportscars at this time due to sales falling below its high target volumes required for mass production. Although sports saloons and a few convertibles also were taking up many of this sports category sales - there was considered to be a future steady 2000 per annum market in Europe for an open sports car (Lima style) provided that the following criteria could be met:

 

1               A UK tax inclusive price of £7,300 could be achieved.

2               Body-work of ‘non-plastic’ material.

3                              Engine variations should permit a powerful engine option for

those countries where no penal taxes based on engine capacity       exist.

4               Easy maintenance.

5               Low volume.

 

 

Robert Jankel had been employed by Y C Kim and the new Panther Car Company, and one of his briefs was to re-engineer Lima to accept new engine and mechanicals. This was necessary because even at the time of Lima launch, the Vauxhall Magnum on which it relied for many parts was going out of production and an alternative source of supply had to be found. The solution to this problem came from an alliance with The Ford Motor Company who through their Power Products Division were willing and able to supply engines, drivetrains and other parts as required to be incorporated in the new model. Therefore the car being developed during 1981 was effectively a ‘Ford Lima’.

 

In November 1981, following customer feedback at the Earl’s Court Motorfair (where Lima MkIV, J72 ‘Brooklands’ and De Ville were on show) It was decided to stop De Ville and J72 ‘Brooklands’ production in order to concentrate on re-designing a replacement for Lima to satisfy the above perceived market opportunity. It was accepted that the basic style and concept of Lima was right and that a re-design and re-engineering of an existing model would be quicker and less costly than developing a completely new car - but it would still prove to be a major undertaking.

Build costs were an early important consideration in order to retain profit from a keen selling price. However at a very late stage it was decided that the new car should have mainly aluminium bodywork in keeping with the Panther tradition of hand-built coachwork. Utilising facilities at a container manufacturing plant available at Jindo Industries in Korea, (the Y C Kim family business) the steel chassis and aluminium body were quickly developed, with a first prototype reaching the UK in January 1982. Compared to Lima, the new car was wider and longer with stretched doors, larger windows and a bigger, more accessible luggage compartment. Unfortunately a real opportunity to have increased the narrow interior cabin width was missed in the transformation.

 

For the motive power, Ford could offer a choice of a 1.6 litre 94 bhp 4-cylinder CVH engine from the Escort XR3 plus the exciting 2.8 litre 133 bhp V6 unit from Granada. The 1.6 litre could be offered with a 4-speed standard or 5-speed optional transmission whereas the 2.8 came with the 5-speed manual as standard and a 3-speed optional automatic.

 

Other detailed changes were made including a curved windscreen and fully folding soft-top and importantly It was decided to launch the new car in a basic form at as low a price as possible - with a long list of extra cost options. Such items as wood veneer fascias, leather covered seats and sun visors were all options at this stage and it would be possible in principle for the new car to be also personalised to suit individual customer taste.

 

 

LAUNCH OF KALLISTA

 

The significantly different car from Lima demanded a new name. A competition held failed to generate a suitable new name - and it was finally Y C Kim himself who christened the new car KALLISTA, being derived from the meaning of the Greek work for ‘small and beautiful’.

 

With crash testing for type approval completed just in time, the new model Panther Kallista was launched to the press on October 11th and then just one week after, to the public at the 1982 International Motorshow, NEC at which time 6 pre-production cars had been completed. Having previously decided to market the car directly from the factory for the UK rather than through dealers, the price was announced at a very competitive £5,850 including taxes for the 1.6 litre and £6,800 for the 2.8 model. At the close of the Show over 100 orders accompanied by £500 deposits were taken for the first production cars.

 

 

 

KALLISTA INTO PRODUCTION

 

A flow-line system to hand-build Kallistas was installed at the Canada Road, Byfleet factory with production starting In March at 2-3 cars per week following initial teething problems. An early pre-production car went to France starting the export business for Kallista which over the years would take a large proportion of the total Kallistas manufactured.

 

As the rate of production increased (to 8 cars per week by the end of 1983) it was clear that the existing factory, with 30,000 square feet, could not accommodate the new production and office facilities required; so in April 1983 additional warehousing space of 4,700 square feet was leased for stores. But this was a short term solution only. By December 21st 1983 a creditable 201 Kallistas had been delivered to customers (124 UK market, 60 export and 17 others).

 

The longer term solution was to lease (for 5 years) new premises of 40,000 square feet on the Brooklands Industrial Park just a minute away from Canada Road. Following a £100,000 investment on the facility, the first Kallistas commenced production on January 6th 1984. By this time prices of Kallistas had increased by 27% for the 1.6 to £7,425 (although the 5-speed gearbox was now a standard fitment there having been actually only 2 cars built with the 4-speed unit) and by 17% for the 2.8 to £7995.

 

During 1983 a new model Kallista was planned with the injected 2.8 litre V6 instead of the carburreted 2.8 and this car was launched at the October Motorfair London Show. The injection engine could better meet emission regulations important for export markets. For the UK it was decided to offer the injection engine only with an up-specced Kallista which would offer as standard duo-tone paint, centre console, 14” alloys etc. When this model finally reached production in May 1984 its list price at £9,245 was some £1,250 more than the more basic 2.8 carburreted car.

 

1984

In volume terms at least, 1984 was to prove the most successful year ever for Kallista with 401 cars built and UK registration of 238 cars (SMMT figures). Underlying this positive situation however, major problems had arisen. Clearly the costs to build Kallista had been underestimated and it was necessary to move the price significantly upwards and in October 1984 a major price increase of 26% was made - although certain previous options such as wood veneer fascia, radio cassette and head restraints were included as standard fitment. In a difficult marketplace Kallista sales slumped, RHD cars were built for stock and redundancies occurred late in the year - the developing export business unable to quickly absorb the spare production capacity.

 

An interesting interlude occurred during the year as the Panther Car Company gave their backing to a return to the UK Motorsports scene. (Panther Westwinds enjoyed some success in production sports circuit racing with a Lima raced by driver Chris Meek in the late ‘70’s). With the new sports Solo announced for launch at the ‘84 International Motorshow, Panther were interested to gain Motorsport credibility. Prompted by contact with Tony Bostock, Editor of ‘Sportscar Mechanics' magazine it was decided to enter a 2.8 injection Kallista in the June Willhire 24-hour Race at Snetterton for production sports and saloon cars. Experienced driver Tony Stubbs headed a new competition department which prepared the first Kallista 001 for the Willhire with event testing at Brands Hatch and Castle Combe in April. In the June 2nd and 3rd race the Kallista was qualified in 16th (out of 39 cars) driven by Tony Stubbs/Carolynn Grant-Sale/Tony Bostock/Gerhard Bauer but failed to finish the race. A tie-up with Ingersol-Rand Professional Tools Group as main sponsor allowed the same car to be entered in the BRSCC Production Sports Car Series and other events in the second half of 1984 and into 1985

 

Earlier in March - and partly to assist test and development of the racing Kallista - The Goodwood Circuit in Sussex was hired for the day of the 23rd as a Kallista Test Day to which were invited existing and prospective owners. Fully supported by factory personnel, the event proved to be a great success.

 

Prompted by an original concept idea from Auto Becker Company, Germany (the Panther Concessionaire), the most radical of special version Kallistas was built in time for display ,at the 1984 NEC International Motor Show. Called the ‘Roadster 2.8’ it was most notable for a complete lack of weather protection. In place of the regular windscreen were a pair of semi-circular folding aero screens and the car had no side screens, hood or even tonneau cover. Other detailing included silver body/black wings, chequered aluminium running boards and rear wing protectors, black bumpers, series 1 Lima bucket seats, brushed aluminium dashboard panel, wire stoneguards on the headlamps and a wire mesh grille (This latter item being a prototype for a future Kallista option~ An interesting concept and show car perhaps, but orders for production cars were not forthcoming and the car was stripped and re-built as a conventional model.  

 

 

1985  

The statistics show that production of Kallista dropped dramatically in 1985 to just 121 cars although 167 units were delivered to customers including stock built the previous year. SMMT figures show that just 54 Kallistas were registered by UK customers with the bulk of the cars going for export. New orders slumped to just 38 from UK customers during the year.

 

Whilst some UK customers opted for the 1.6 Kallista model, most export markets such as Germany, Holland and Malaysia preferred the more powerful 2.8 mostly with carburetors rather than fuel injection.

 

A small 5% price increase in July 1985 moved the list prices including taxes for the UK market to £10,747 (1.6), £11,497 (2.8) and £11,968 (2.81). The basic specification was now the same for all 3 models, except the 2.81 had larger diameter (14”) alloy wheels with low profile tyres.

 

The most important development of 1985 was the move to export of Kallista to the USA which involved the setting up of a new distributorship and the development of a substantially revised Kallista known as the ‘Federal’ car. Independently of the Panther Car Company UK, Y C Kim set up a company and facility in Jacksonville Florida call ‘The Panther Car Company of North America’ abbreviated to ‘PCCNA’ - especially to import, market and distribute the federal Kallista.

 

Many revisions were required to the existing Kallista in order to meet the tough US regulations especially regarding lighting, crash protection and engine emissions. A modified chassis featured a new floorpan, solid suspension pick-up points, anti-intrusion plate on the door sills and shortened chassis ends to incorporate ~ (Energy Absorption Units) - mated to dual stainless steel bumpers front and rear (a distinctive styling feature). Other changes to meet legislations included a crash proof fuel tank, collapsable spare wheel bracket and special lighting, indicators and reflectors. Certain features developed for this ‘Federal’ car notably the full width veneer fascia and semi-spoiler later became standard fitment on all Kallistas.

 

The heart of a car is its engine and unfortunately the unit selected for the car in order to get certification for the US was a poor performer. A 2.3 4-cylinder engine from the Ford Mustang was purchased from Ford Canada and running on carburetors with catalyst could muster only 88 bhp at 4000 rpm -even less power than the UK spec 1.6 litre. Of course it did offer ease of servicing for the US market.

 

 

With air con as standard the Federal Kallista was launched in late ‘85 at a base price of 23,500 Us $ and offered ‘a truly distinctive and exclusive British Sports Car. A beautiful aluminium bodied British roadster with award winning coachwork using the finest materials throughout, including burr walnut dashboard and door cappings’.

 

A first car was airfreighted to the States in September with 26 cars shipped from the UK by the end of 1985 - as PCCNA opened up a small dealer network sell the cars.

 

 

1986  

In terms of production and delivery of Kallistas, the year of 1986 had three distinct phases - with cars for the USA (January-April), other export (May-July) and then UK Domestic market (July-December).

 

The confident and positive launch (in fact a re-entry) of Panther Cars to the USA led by Sales & Marketing Director, Ralph Wilson continued. Good press publicity in influential publications such as ‘Car & Driver’ helped establishment of a small dealer network with first cars reaching their showrooms in January. The advertising headline proclaimed ‘The tradition is back’ and stressed the Kallista’s British tradition, classical style and craftsmanship mated to the practicality of modern technology and ease of service. Kallista was perceived as reaching an exclusive sector of ‘Personal Pleasure Cars’ which with its comprehensive standard equipment and limited availability would justify its 23,500 US $ ticket price. Strictly as a cost comparison, for this same price cars such as Porsche 944 or Chevrolet Corvettes could be purchased at the time. A total of 79 Federal 2.3 litre Kallistas were despatched to the USA during the year (to add to the 26 cars shipped in 1985) mainly with 4-speed manual initially and then a number of 3-speed automatics.

 

Unfortunately production and deliveries stopped in April as suddenly as they had started. A combination of factors including slow sales, poor performance for a sportscar from the 88 bhp engine and difficulties to meet emission regulations meant Kallista did not achieve certification for the 1987 model year and this bold project came to a premature halt (although to be revived briefly at a later date).

 

Production during the summer concentrated on European export markets, mainly 2.8’s for Auto Becker, Germany and 1.6’s for Lamberti in Italy with a few cars for Savoye, France and Checker Motors in Japan.

 

In order to stimulate new sales from a dormant UK market, a radical new marketing Initiative launched in April saw a heavyweight advertising campaign initiated to promote a special edition 2.8 Kallista at under £10,000. Its list price of £9,850 was over 14% less than the 1985 price - and this model in a choice of Red or Ivory coachwork with matching soft top was sold In preference to 1.6’s or 2.8i’s. Over £100,000 was spent on TV initially, then national weekly and Sunday press and a few car magazines from April to September to generate 58 firm orders during the year with the persuasive messages ‘your own Panther at £9,975 on the road’ and ‘the most affordable ne~ 2.8 available in the UK’. By the end of the year, UK registrations reached 67 cars from a total of 200 Kallistas delivered

 

The similarity in style of the ‘cat’ logos led Panther and Slazenger (manufacturer of tennis rackets and balls) to embark on a major joint sales promotion. Central to this were incentive competitions targetted at both Slazenger’s trade and retail customers with a Kallista as first prize in each category. Retail customers had to guess how many tennis balls filled an open-top Kallista.

 

A final ‘year end’ bonus for Kallista came at October’s NEC International

Motor Show when for the second time (previously in 1984) the car won an IBCAM

First Prize Award in the International Coachwork Competition.

 

1987

An important Press Release gave the news of a major change in the ownership of the Panther Car Company which took place in February 1987:-

 

“The Ssangyong Group of Companies from South Korea has become the major shareholder in the Panther Car Company Ltd, the Weybridge, Surrey, sportscar manufacturer, by acquiring 80 per cent of the equity from Jindo Industries, another large South Korean industrial corporation.

 

Mr Young C Kim continues as Chairman of the Panther Car Company and retains his personal 20 per cent shareholding.

 

Ssangyong is the sixth largest conglomerate in Korea, with major interests in automobile manufacturing, diesel engine manufacturing, oil refining, cement manufacturing, construction, paper mills, insurance and securities. It was ranked as the 15 1st largest corporation outside the USA by Fortune magazine in August 1987, with a turnover of US $ 3.7 billion in 1986.

 

Ssangyong entered the automobile industry in 1986 when it acquired Dong-A Motor Company, one of Korea’s four major automobile manufacturers. Dong-A specialises in the production of a jeep-type vehicle, four-wheel-drive vehicles, buses, heavy-duty trucks and other utility vehicles.

 

Ssangyong’s involvement in the Panther Car Company will enhance and expedite the future growth and development of the Company.”

 

For the Panther Car Company, the year was dominated by the development of the first Solo II prototype which was launched at September’s Frankfurt Show and then at London Motorfair one month later. Consequently a high proportion of company resources were dedicated to this project.

 

Kallista entered 1987 with a modest forward order book and the year’s demand stabilized into a healthy balance between the requirements of UK versus overseas markets. In fact this situation would continue right through the remaining years of Kallista build in the UK.

 

Of 211 Kallistas delivered by Sales Department during the year, the UK

(including personal export) took 113 cars and direct export took 98 (including

13 for PCCNA). The SMMT actually recorded UK registrations of 86 cars for the year.

.

 

Apart from the 13 2.3 litre Federal cars (newly re-certified for the US 1988 model year), the 2.8 and 2.81 accounted for 163 units with only 35 1.6’s built mainly for Italy and Jordan (which had taxation advantages for the lower capacity model).

 

Two price rises in. the UK of 5.4% (in June) and then 6.4% (in October) brought the re-introduced 1.6 to £10,450 and the 2.8 to £11,250. UK sales were generated gradually throughout the year by a more modest advertising campaign (compared to 1986) in a wide selection of mainly automotive publications.

 

According to the published October 1987 price list the 2.8i model had been or would shortly be superseded by the 2.9i. This was however not to be the case, and although only a few 2.8i’s were delivered in 1988 it was not until 1989 that the 2.9i Kallista variant was produced.

 

An interesting Special Edition of Kallista was premiered at the London Business Design Centre in February. The model was called ‘Brooklands’ to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the opening of the Brooklands Motor

Racing Circuit. At an Inclusive price the ‘Brooklands’ featured leather seats and steering wheel rim, stainless steel mesh grille, and a ‘Brooklands’ motif

handpainted on the doors. Available for UK and personal export customers approximately 25 were built during the year.

 

1988

 

With the effective ownership of The Panther Car Company Ltd having been transferred to the Ssangyong Motor Company in early 1987, another major change occurred one year later with the relocation of the car production to a new facility in Harlow, Essex some 30 miles north of London. The reason for the mve from Brooklands Industrial Park was mainly because the site was required for redevelopment and PCC required a larger factory for the manufacture of both Kallista and later the new Solo.

 

There was a transitional period in the early months of 1988 with production

 

Due to yet further delays of engine availability and homologation with the new 2.91 mdel, the ‘big—engined’ 2.8 Kallistas sold were mostly the

carburetted version (total 118) plus the final 30 ‘Federal’ 2.3’s and 91 4—cylinder 1.6’s.

 

 

The export business dominated with 196 of the 243 recorded deliveries going directly overseas with just 47 cars supplied to UK or personal export customers despite only a modest price rise of 4.8% in June moving the 1.6 to a list of £10,975 and the 2.8 to £11,825.

 

The major export market were Germany where AutoBecker took 51 2.8’s and Italy where Lamberti received 56 1.6’s. Other existing concessionaires in France, Netherlands and Japan were joined by ‘newcomers’ Aurora (Taiwan), Reliable Sports cars (Cyprus), Abdul—Hadi (Jordan) and Louis Harry (Greece) which underlined the breadth of world interest in this unique British Sportscar.