The Panther Rio was an car that used Triumph Dolomite mechanicals but was appointed, according to the company, to Rolls-Royce standards. A rarer Rio Especial used the high-performance Dolomite Sprint as its basis. Only 38 were built between 1975 and 1977.
Panther Westwinds had been set-up by fashion designer Bob Jankel to produce expensive and bespoke cars for the customer that wanted something entirely different. Such vehicles held a lucrative market at the time. Jankel began working on a car that would appeal to the Rolls-Royce owner looking to trade down to something more economic, yet still considered higher class by losing nothing in terms of luxury or build quality. Following the 1973 energy crisis, demand for such profligate cars began to diminish.
The Triumph Dolomite was selected for improvement, due in part to the vehicle's combination of advanced engines and upright driving position, which offered a unique blend of modern and traditional luxuries. The Panther Rio was the result, and was launched in September 1975.
The Rio was advertised as "Combining characteristics combined in no other single car - the very highest level of luxury, appointments and smooth quietness with superb handling, a 115mph maximum speed, 0-60mph acceleration in 8.7 seconds, the opulence of Connolly leather, deep pile carpeting and burr walnut in the finest limousine traditions with the fuel economy and maneuverability of a compact family saloon; Panther coachbuilt quality and safety engineering with total functionalism; hand-crafted exclusivity without ostentation." The compact family saloon was offered in two forms, the 1850 version was the "base" model and the 2-Litre 16-valve version (Dolomite Sprint) called the Rio Especial.
Panther was optimistic over the car's chances and prematurely announced a pre-order of 100 cars from the H.R.Owen luxury line of dealerships. This would have meant a financial boom, clearing the way for the Rio to be offered for sale amongst some of the highest quality vehicles of the time. However, the 100 car deal never materialized and the Rio sold at extremely slow rates, largely in part to consumer concerns that the Rio was little more than a restyled Triumph Dolomite, which it was.
The MSRP of the vehicle also aided in detering consumer interest: In February 1976, £9445 was the price for the Rio Especial. In comparison, competitor's vehicles, especially the Dolomite Sprint which sold for £3283 and the Jaguar XJ5.3 which cost £7496 advertised equal luxury at a reduced price.
An ex-H.R.Owen demonstrator, no less - in 1980 and remarked that the craftsmanship was very evident when you looked at the interior of the car. The only downside was that the new thicker, fatter seats resulted in a more cramped interior than the car it was based on.
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