Rebirth of a Panther Lightweight: 1. Introduction

     I bought my first Panther Motorcycle in 1965 when I found that my Lambretta could not carry my luggage up to university. A look around the motorcycle combinations in the cheap-combination back- yard at Pride and Clarke on Stockwell Road, South London, produced a 1954 Panther M100 Springer with a Watsonian Maxstroke sidecar for £19 12s 8d. It served me well but had all the problems we know and love. The big-end was replaced at George Clarke’s in Brixton, a main agent for P&M although the factory in Cleckheaton was by then in its death throes. After eighteen months I sold it to a lad who would pay in instalments but who naturally stopped paying when he wrecked it.

1954 M100

      Ten years later after marriage and the arrival of two young children I got another one purely by happenstance. Visiting my cousin he would continually brag about how easy to find and how cheap bikes were where he lived in Northumberland. So I challenged him to find me a Panther! It took him three weeks and I duly collected it and brought it back to Southampton where I was in the process of moving house. This was a 1965 M120 with a spare engine and it was duly restored in the lounge among the plaster and paint pots. I had a beard so joined the POC and discovered a local section, formed by Rob Keenan, and never looked back. 

Panther in the lounge

1965 M120

      This is all very well but nothing to do with  Panther Lightweights - read on. 

     When I needed tyres for the M120 I went to a local stockist of traditional Avons in Southampton. The chap was interested enough to ask what they were for and when I told him he said he had the bones of a Panther 350 and would I like it. Well who could say no? I gave him a tenner so I could feel it was mine and duly took it home. Well Panthers do tend to group together like bees coming back to the hive. This bike had a lot missing, notably a gearbox and wheels, and the frame had been cut about but with the help of the POC, particularly the then Lightweight spares secretary the late Bill A’Lee, it all came together. There was a number plate in the box and I got that approved by two policeman who came to inspect the dry assembly of the machine whilst devouring tea and cakes. It was all so much easier back in the day. 

Dry assembly inspected by two Plods.

1957 M75 overlooking Omaha Beach, Normandy

     This little bike was a gem; it started easily and ran happily at 50 mph all day long. It went to Monschau behind the outfit of Brian and Margaret Jay, up to the International at Hebden Bridge, wandered about Wiltshire on the Five Valleys Run and inspected the beaches of Normandy. I once received a parking ticket for the M75 from Lancaster. As I have never been to Lancaster I suggested it wasn't me Guv. It turned out someone had misread the ticket as S14 NEV, instead of 514 NEV, actually a black Nissan.

     The bike never gave any trouble but more Panthers came along and it began to be used less and less. Eventually I was pestered to sell it so I did. The buyer soon had problems and sold it on to Pembroke Motorcycles. I’ve never seen it since and the number is not on the DVLA database so I don’t know what has happened to it. If anyone reading this knows I should be pleased to hear about it. Panther M75 350cc reg no 514 NEV, frame no. F11402  Engine no. 57K5009A

      Another lightweight Panther came into the hive, this one a 1936 250cc Red Panther, totally in pieces of course. Again it was rebuilt although it does not get a lot of use, even less now that we are in lockdown. This lockdown has its advantages in that there is a bit more cash available for hobbies such as Panther building, as the pubs are shut, and it is essential to stave off boredom, as the pubs are shut, so the garage beckons.

Red Panther kit.

1936 250cc Red Panther

       I had begun to think of passing on some of my Panther junk so while looking at the shelves in the garage I spotted the engine and gearbox of a 1948 Model 70 and wondered what it was worth. I then thought who needs cash, after all, the pubs are shut. 

1948 Model 70 engine & gearbox on the shelf.

Could I find the bits to resurrect another Panther?  Only time will tell.