UPDATE 03/23/2026: We’re no strangers to returning classics at Barn Finds, and such is the case with this 1979 Panther Lima Turbo Roadster. The seller had no success finding a new home for this classic when they offered it on Craigslist. They have since decided to have a second bite of the cherry by listing it here on eBay in Plano, Texas. With a BIN of $19,995 and the option to make an offer, it could provide an excellent summer cruising experience. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finders Rocco B. for the original lead, and T.J. for spotting that the Lima has hit the market once again.
12/23/2025: The idea of driving a neoclassical roadster on a fair-weather day is one that requires a unique mindset. You have to appreciate the era in which the design was in its prime, at least enough to commit to buying a car that is clearly a modern homage to a bygone time. There have been countless vehicles produced by small-scale manufacturers to tap into this nostalgia, and some were better than others. I can’t say for sure that the Panther Lima was any better than any other offering, but it was available in turbocharged form, which made it far more compelling.
If my kids were to see one of these, they’d call it the Cruella de Vil car, from the Disney film, 101 Dalmatians. Of course, they’d say that for anything that has swooping fenders and the two-tone paint scheme between the doors and fenders and the running boards and trunk. The Panther actually looks quite benign compared to the movie car, if not downright cheerful. Unlike other kit cars, the Lima interior actually looks like it’s finished to a decent standard, with full carpeting, proper bucket seats, and a dash with full instrumentation. There’s even a heater and defroster, a proper three-spoke steering wheel, and a cigarette lighter.
In turbocharged form, the Panther was good for an impressive 178 horsepower, a significant jump over the standard 108 b.h.p. that came from the transplanted Vauxhall-sourced 2.3L four-cylinder engine. Performance-wise, the manufacturer claimed the retro-inspired classic could rip to 60 in under seven seconds! It’s sorely tempting to picture this roadster on a more aggressive wheel-and-tire setup with the suspension lowered a touch, but don’t you dare touch that “Turbo Lima” decal on the hood. What a wild ride! Have you ever driven one?
“Another one bites the dust”, MG Midget that is. You have to wonder how many were used to make cars like this one. The side view shows kind of a “jerky”design front and rear like it was done by two different people. I will admit that it’s probably a blast to drive.
If I were a Steelers fan I’d snap it up in an instant. Now if it was green and yellow…..
This was not based on the midget, it was based on the Vauxhall Firenza which was also where the engine came from, I personally had a Firenza which was fun to drive even without the turbo. I test drove one without a turbo but found the seating position uncomfortable.
Thank you for the correction. I find this car to be an absolute gas. Aesthetically it is right down my alley, wow, I just love it. My problem is my geographic location and most of all my age. Well, we can´t have everything we want; but were things different I would jump at it.
The passenger cell was clearly taken from a donor Midget, as with many other neoclassical models of the era for some reason; note the characteristic door shape. But yes, the Lima’s powertrain, running gear, and gauge cluster came from the Vauxhall Viva/Firenza/Magnum.
I know the chassis is not MG Midget but the passenger section sure is.
It worked for Alain Clenet, too.
They did use MG midget doors and windshield, as did the Scepter 6.6… just sayin’
I always wonder why a car like this doesn’t catch but the Morgan survives to this day with a meat $100k sticker price.
Roughly, these are prebuilt kit cars while Morgan has a history of upscale sporty vehicles going back nearly a century. The Panther looks like a lot more fun, though.
If you count the trikes, Morgan guess back to 1910. You could say that Morgan is that a lot of these cars wanted to be when they grew up. I like the Panther a lot better than some of the junk that fell into this category, but I made the choice years ago to do my sorry riding on two wheels.
I have to wonder why ANYBODY buys a Morgan? Apart from the colour scheme, which is too far over the top for my liking, this is a much more desirable sports car.
Did I miss the trans type? Or is this another auto shift, too expected to bother mentioning American sports car?
Interior photo shows a stick shift, and these had a powertrain from the Vauxhall Viva/Firenza/Magnum, so this would be the 4-speed Vauxhall manual trans.
I would be very surprised if it is anything other than a stick shift can’t remember if my Firenza was 4 or 5 speed, I suspect it was a 4 speed.
This color combo is eye-catching. Make a good Grand Marshall parade car!
Ditch the whitewalls and fake spokes put some agressivive meats and maybe mini lites on it and you have something does it have a top and side windows?