Panthermobile (show car)

The Panthermobile is a show car built for the cartoon TV series The Pink Panther Show.[1]

Panthermobile
Model kit of the Panthermobile
Overview
DesignerEd “Newt” Newton, Dan Woods, Joe Bailon, Bill “The Leadslinger” Hines, and Bill Honda
Body and chassis
Body styleFictional
LayoutLongitudinally front-engine, front-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine7 liter Oldsmobile V8
Transmission3-speed TH-425 automatic (Oldsmobile front wheel drive)

Description

Called “the world’s most flamboyant vehicle”, the bright pink custom car was designed by Jay Ohrberg and built in 1969 at Bob Reisner California Show Cars by Ed "Newt" Newton, TV personality Dan Woods, and customizers Joe Bailon, Bill "The Leadslinger" Hines, and Bill Honda.[2] It was used in the title and credit sequences of the original cartoon.[3]

It was one of several famous television show cars of the era in the US, including the original Batmobile (also designed by Jay Ohrberg), the Monkeemobile, and the Munster Koach,[4] and one of many radical contemporary custom cars, such as Red Baron.

The Panthermobile cost $100,000 to build in 1976, which equates to around $450,000 in 2017.[5]

Specifications

Built on an Oldsmobile Toronado chassis, [6] it measured 23 ft (700 cm) long and 6 ft (180 cm) wide, with an exposed driving compartment requiring the driver to wear a helmet.[7] In the cartoon's title sequence, the driver was a boy. Instead of rearview mirrors, the driver had a camera and black-and-white television monitor.[8] The body is sheet metal.[9]

Behind the open cockpit was a compartment, accessed by a large clamshell door opening to the curb side, which contained pink shag-covered reclining seats, square-tufted upholstery, half a dozen faux-fur pillows, a mobile phone, and a bar.[10] The upholstery was done by Joe Perez.[11]

The seven liter Oldsmobile V8 engine, longitudinally-mounted right behind the driver’s head,[12] drove the front wheels.[13]

The car was a challenge to drive due to the long snout.[14]

Ownership

For many years the car was owned by its designer Jay Ohrberg before being put up for auction in 2007.[15] It was again put up for auction in 2011 where it was purchased and restored by Galpin Auto Sports in Los Angeles, California, under the supervision of Dave Shuten.[16] A complete restoration of the car's drivetrain, suspension, interior, and paint was required.[17]

Notes
  1. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  2. Carbodydesign (retrieved 15 January 2017); Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017); News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  3. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  4. Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  5. Carbodydesign (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  6. Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  7. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  8. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  9. Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  10. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  11. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  12. Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  13. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  14. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  15. https://www.andoniscars.com/2011/09/panthermobile-goes-to-auction.html
  16. News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017); Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)
  17. Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)

Sources
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