The niche manufacturers’ niche manufacturer, Panther Westwinds was started by Robert Jankel in 1972 to build retro cars with styling inspired by 1930s greats. It even had its factory at Brooklands. Panther then branched out into such diversities as the Rio – a Triumph Dolomite repanelled and trimmed to look like a small Rolls – and the six-wheeled two-seater Panther Six sportscar.

Young C. Kim took over in 1980 and switched body manufacture to Korea. Much money was spent developing the ill-fated mid-engined Solo sports coupe, and SsanYong stepped in 1988. But it was all too late and it folded the Panther company in 1990.