Panther Solo 2: the British Supercar That Dared to dream Big
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despite ultimately being a “heroic failure,” the Panther Solo 2 possessed the potential to rival the most celebrated supercars of its era.
The story of the Panther Solo 2 is a compelling tale of British ambition, innovative engineering, and the harsh realities of the automotive industry. Debuting in 1989, the vehicle initially garnered significant praise, with Car magazine boldly declaring it “the most significant British sports car since the E-type Jaguar.” However, the path from promising concept to production reality proved fraught with challenges, ultimately resulting in a limited run of just 13 vehicles.
From Retro Roots to future Focus
The Panther car Company had previously built a reputation for producing the retro-styled Kallista, often described as a more affordable alternative to the Morgan. However, a change in ownership signaled a desire for a radical departure. In the early 1980s, Korean businessman Young Chull Kim acquired the struggling company and envisioned a future focused on cutting-edge performance.He wanted a new Panther that looked firmly toward the future, not the past.
The initial Solo project, conceived as an affordable, lightweight, mid-engined, rear-drive sports car, showed early promise. Early designs, reminiscent of the Pontiac Fiero, were penned by Ken Greenley, a tutor of automotive design at the Royal College of Art. The chassis development was entrusted to Len Bailey, a veteran engineer with experience on iconic vehicles like the Ford GT40 and GT70.Unveiled at the 1984 British Motor Show, the Solo’s progress appeared promising – until Kim drove Toyota’s new MR2.
A Bold New Ambition: Taking on Porsche
The experience with the MR2 prompted a significant shift in strategy. Recognizing the Solo couldn’t compete with Toyota’s offering, Kim set his sights higher – much higher. He now wanted a car that could challenge the likes of porsche, a true supercar. This ambition led to the development of the Solo 2, a dramatically different vehicle than its predecessor.
“It rode Combe’s notorious bumps with imperious aplomb and its steering was as good as any car’s I’d driven.”
Power and Performance: A Mixed Bag
To deliver the performance befitting its handling prowess, Panther turned to the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower. Recognizing the need for enhanced traction, the company opted for an all-wheel-drive system – a feature not offered by Ford in the Cossie until three years later. This required a custom-designed central transfer system and a Ferguson center differential, with a rear-biased torque split of 66% to the rear wheels and 34% to the front.
However,the Solo 2’s powertrain proved to be its Achilles’ heel. While the all-wheel-drive system showed promise, the engine was criticized for its lackluster performance and unrefined character. Frankel described the engine’s sound as “a bag of bolts being poured into a blender,” and acknowledged its overall lack of power. Car magazine’s Gavin Green concurred, noting the engine “lacks pedigree and power.” He described the Solo 2 as “brilliant in patches, mediocre in other areas,” and lamented that it needed “another year, probably two” of development to become a true contender.
A Dream Deferred: cancellation and Legacy
Initial orders for the Solo 2 reached 125, but as development delays mounted and critical reviews became more lukewarm, customers began to cancel their orders. Ultimately, onyl 13 examples of the Solo 2 were delivered.
In 1990,Autocar magazine offered a poignant assessment of the Solo 2’s fate: “[Panther] must be one of the smallest manufacturers in the world yet it has produced a car with more flair,innovation and design integrity than most massive corporations ever show. It’s rivals, all technically better cars, will be around long after the Solo has died. And that’s the shame as,of them all,it is indeed the Solo that shows the way forward.” The Panther Solo 2 remains a engaging example of British automotive ingenuity – a bold, ambitious project that, despite its shortcomings, dared to challenge the established order and foreshadowed future innovations.
