The Panther J72 is a rare classic, with only 368 cars leaving the factory during a ten-year production run. It was the first offering from the company based in Surrey, England, setting its theme of providing handbuilt vehicles to the highest standard. This 1976 J72 is a survivor with a claimed 11,000 miles on its odometer. It needs some TLC but is a turnkey proposition that could be refreshed at the new owner’s leisure. The seller has listed the Panther here on eBay in Independence, Oregon. Bidding sits below the reserve at $5,001 following some strong market interest.

Robert Jankel formed Panther Westwinds in 1972 with the goal of producing exclusive handbuilt sports cars with a firm focus on quality. The J72 was his first model, which hit the market that year. It remained on sale until the company’s financial collapse, with 368 buyers spending the money to take one home. The J72 featured an elegant retro-style all-aluminum body bolted to a bespoke steel chassis. Jankel relied almost exclusively on Jaguar mechanical components for the J72 and, with a low curb weight, the car offered excellent performance. The first owner ordered this J72 in a distinctive shade of Green with a contrasting Black soft-top. The car presents quite well for its age, with no significant paint or panel imperfections beyond a few small scratches. The top fits tight, and the side curtains are in good condition. There is no mention of frame rust or other problems, and the trim still sparkles nicely. Jankel was keen to capture the feel of traditional British sports cars, equipping the J72 with wire wheels as the perfect finishing touch.

Panther Westwinds focused on “the best of British,” choosing Jaguar mechanical components for the J72. While some cars featured the 3.8-liter DOHC six, our feature car is powered by the larger and more powerful 4.2-liter version. It sends its power to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. Confirming power and torque figures for the J72 is challenging, with some sources quoting figures as low as 160hp and 220 ft/lbs, while others suggest a power output as high as 190hp. One thing is certain, and that is with the J72 tipping the scales at 2,500 lbs, the performance was quite impressive. Interestingly, Panther produced one J72 equipped with a Jaguar V12 that delivered muscle car performance. Several owners have performed similar transplants, which would certainly grab the driver’s attention when they floored the gas. The seller indicates that this classic is mechanically original, and is in excellent mechanical health. They state that it runs and drives extremely well, with a claimed but unsubstantiated 11,000 genuine miles on its odometer. It would be interesting to learn whether they hold verifying evidence because it doesn’t rate a mention in their listing.

The retro theme continues inside the J72, with items like the large leather-wrapped wheel and timber dash fascia recalling the glory days of British sports car production. Panther exclusively utilized Connolly leather on the upholstered surfaces that were hand-stitched to achieve a perfect finish. This car’s interior is original, but is also the aspect requiring the most attention. The stitching is parting on the seats, and the leather looks tired. A specialist might be able to bring them back from the brink without resorting to a retrim. The dash fascia also exhibits deterioration and may require refinishing. Add the tired carpet to the equation and returning this interior to its former glory may cost the winning bidder a few dollars.

Some people consider Robert Kankel as a visionary and, vehicles like the stillborn “6” proved that he was willing to think outside the square. His company succumbed to financial woes in 1980, passing into the hands of a new Korean owner. Jankel purchased the brand again in 2001 and was well advanced with a new sports car for North American production when he passed away in 2005. That spelled the end for the Panther marque, but Robert Jankel’s legacy lives on in cars like this 1976 Panther J72. Placing a value on it is extremely difficult because they so rarely hit the market. NADA quotes a low retail of $26,700, with Hagerty suggesting that $18,600 is a fair figure for a #4 example. The lowest recent successful sale that I could locate was for $15,600, but do you think this one will reach that level?