10 replies to this topic

[muppet]

There's been a number of threads recently on other Atlas forums about the various 6-wheel F1 cars, which set me thinking about a particular Brit 6-wheel roadcar developed about the same time. I remember it being a truly MASSIVE saloon car with 4 steerable wheels at the front.

I've spent a hours web-searching and drawn complete blanks. This could be because the car never got beyond the prototype stage, although I think maybe a handful were made and sold. My first thought was that it was a Lagonda, but I've now checked a number of Lagonda sites and there's no reference to it. Also I've checked sites for all the other usual suspects: Jensen, AC, Aston Martin, Panther and Tickford, and again no luck. Perhaps it was another small specialist company? Anyone know?

chris

And yes, I know this is a bit OT as it doesn't concern GP cars, but I still think there is a Lagonda/Aston Martin connection somewhere.

[Roger Clark]

Panther did produce a 6-wheeled road car, but I doubt whether they sold any.

[italia]

You probably mean the Panther Six.




Introduced in '78 or '79 with the same configuration as the Tyrrell F1 six-wheeler of that time: 4 wheels in front.
In the back it had a 8.2l Cadillac V8 engine with twin-turbo's producing 600hp. Claimed top speed 310 km/h. 0-160 km/h in 8 sec.

italia

[Felix Muelas]

Muppet : Is this the car ?
Roger : Thanks for the tip...
Italia : Today I was the one that needed a faster scanner

Felix

[Rainer Nyberg]

The image didn´t show on your post, italia.

I linked it correctly here :

[italia]

It appears on mine!
Great picture Felix!

italia

[Vitesse2]

Where to, m'Lady?

[Rainer Nyberg]

That car reminded me of the Ford Capri based car someone built in the 1970s, with a 27-litre Rolls-Royce Merlin V12!

[Roger Clark]

I believe it was shortly after they presented the 6 tha Bob Jallinek's Panther company failed.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Rainer Nyberg
That car reminded me of the Ford Capri based car someone built in the 1970s, with a 27-litre Rolls-Royce Merlin V12!

Can't remember who built it, but it was called "The Beast" and was a road legal dragster - IIRC it was clocked at nearly 200mph on a German Autobahn and was safely in Belgium before they could catch it!

The owner got into trouble with R-R because he put Rolls grille on the front - I think he changed it eventually. I think I have a photo of it somewhere - it was at a radio control meet I went to in 1973.

[dmj]

There are some interesting rumors about Panther Six. Some believe that two of these magnificent machines are produced but just one show car is more likely. This car is now probably in Cyprus, disassembled, and owner is a Bulgarian businessman or mobster (depending on to whom you believe).
Anyway, there were several 6-wheel road and race cars, with three or two axles - remember the hillclimb cars of 30's?