Panthermobile (show car)

Called “the world’s most flamboyant vehicle”, the bright pink custom car was 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, 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]

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]

The Panthermobile was purchased at auction in 2011 and restored by Galpin Auto Sports in Los Angeles, California, under the supervision of Dave Shuten.[15] A complete restoration of the car's drivetrain, suspension, interior, and paint was required.[16]

• News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
• News.com.au (retrieved 15 January 2017)
• Jalopnik (retrieved 15 January 2017)