The Panther Lima was a retro-styled roadster of the 1970s built by Panther Westwinds. It used Vauxhall Viva and Magnum mechanicals, including that car's 2.3 L (2279 cc) engine. The later Mark II model used a purpose-built chassis. The body was built of fibreglass in a roadster style reminiscent of an Allard or Morgan. By the standards of small scale manufacturers, the Lima was produced in volume, with over 500 built by the time of the introduction of the Lima Turbo in February 1979.[2]

Panther Lima
Overview
Manufacturer	Panther Westwinds[1]
Model years	1976–1982
Designer	Bob Jankel[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Sports cabriolet
Related	Vauxhall Magnum[1]
Powertrain
Engine	2279 cc Vauxhall I4[1] 2279 cc Vauxhall turbo I4
Transmission	4-speed manual (Vauxhall) 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97 in (2,464 mm)[1]
Length	142 in (3,607 mm)[1]
Width	63.4 in (1,610 mm)[1]
Height	48.3 in (1,227 mm)[1]
Curb weight	1,803 lb (818 kg)[2]
Chronology
Successor	Panther Kallista

A four-speed manual was standard fitment, with an automatic transmission available as an option.[1] The Turbo Lima was fitted with 14-inch alloy wheels, and had a TURBO graphic on the bonnet. The turbocharged version, with an engine developed in Southern California, had 178 hp (133 kW) rather than the 108 hp (81 kW) of the original and claimed a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of less than six seconds.[2]

Production lasted from 1976 to 1982, with 897 cars produced. It was replaced by the similar Panther Kallista for the 1980s.

Sources and further reading

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