Jaguar Enthusiast -August 2008 - Vol. 24
"Six of One (and half a dozen of the other)"
Nigel Thorley revisits Club member John Hogan and his collection of cars to compare the Suffolk SS100 and the Panther J72.
If you are looking for a classic with vintage appeal and looks, powered by Jaguar but offering a little more practicality than the real thing, there have been numerous examples of replicas, kits and specials built over the years to choose from. Two interesting and quality examples you might consider, both to a more or lesser degree based on the SS100 are the Suffolk SS100 and the Panther J72. At the time of writing John Hogan owned both so an ideal opportunity to compare them and get his opinions on their virtues presented itself.
Lets start by trying to understand a little of the background to the two cars.
Suffolk SS100
The origins of this car lie in another replica SS100 by a company called TRAC, the first of which was produced in 1990 based on a bespoke chassis designed to take Jaguar XJ6 mechanicals and a quality glass fibre body produced from moulds taken from a genuine SS100. Around 20 TRAC cars were produced until 1996 when Roger Williams purchased all the tooling parts and know-how to establish a new business under the name Suffolk.
Roger made various changes to the design to improve safety and driveability but retained the excellent style and of course the Jaguar component train. The Suffolk body is an exact to the millimetre representation of the original SS100 and apparently some of the remanufactured parts are used in the restoration of these cars today.
Now manufactured on a much more production basis, they are still available as a self-build project or as a complete car and there is even now a left hand version.
Panther J72
The Panther name surfaced in 1972 and was the brainchild of Robert Jankel who was a qualified aeronautical and automotive engineer. He built his own car (for cheapness) and later bought parts in from the defunct Connaught Racing Car Company to build more. He eventually set up his own business RJB Ltd to build performance exhaust systems. One of his most prestigious ‘builds’ was a replica of a Rolls-Royce with a Brewster body, based around a RR hearse chassis.
He much admired the 1930’s SS100 and decided to build a car based on the same principles but NOT as a direct copy. Called the J72 (after Jankel and the year it all started), the first cars were built in his home garage.
The principle of the car was a ladder type chassis with front chromed beam axle and Mark 2 based rear beam axle. Designed to accept the Jaguar XK power unit with XJ6 gearbox, the bodywork was hand-crafted in aluminium with leather upholstery and wool carpeting.
After three prototypes were built and by October of 1973 the car was exhibited at the British Motor Show where the car was awarded a silver medal for coachwork. With this the business took off and a proper company, Panther Westwinds Ltd was formed to produce the cars.
The car in one form of another was built into the 1980’s and a total of 422 cars were produced.
John Hogan’s Cars
John had always admired the Panther J72 and fancied one, he first saw this particular car, an early 1972 example with 3.8 litre engine (car No.21) at a local specialist dealership some years ago but at that time couldn’t afford it. Some years later he saw the same car advertised again in Scotland, for about £9,000 less! Negotiating a ‘deal’ he then took delivery of it around 8 years ago at which time the car had had about 9 owners (not unusual apparently for this type of car).
Regarding the SS100, this is also a car that John had much admired for years and still feels Sir William Lyons got right the first time. As a young man in the late 50’s John actually drove a genuine SS100 that sowed the seed for the future. At the time the owner offered John a swap for his 1936 Morris 8 which was infinitely more reliable than the SS so he turned it down!
A few years ago John Hogan visited Suffolk to see the cars being built and tried one. Liking them he pondered for a few years and the idea of buying one went away until he saw this garage owner who had taken months building it (it is a 1990 model).
Like the J72 it has an XK engine, this time 4.2 litres with the same four speed/overdrive XJ gearbox. At the rear there is a conventional Jaguar independent rear suspension with inboard disc brakes.
Chalk and Cheese or Peas in a Pod?
Starting with the visual impact of the two cars, there is no doubt that Suffolk did an excellent job in replicating the dimensions and style of the SS100. The car looks right from any angle and in this case, John’s car even has original style headlights (not repros). It is beautifully proportioned, the build quality is excellent and the colour scheme compliments the package.
In contrast the J72 is a much bigger car and it looks it. Although the non-car buffs might mistake it for a period sporting machine, most car enthusiasts would either instantly recognise it for what it is or even consider it an average home-built kit unfortunately. It is a much wider vehicle with modern tyres (from an XJ12), bolt on wire wheels and even modern Cibie headlights.
The J72 doesn’t seek to be pretentious – it is what it is – a modern day interpretation of a vintage machine.
A big plus in favour of the J72 is the build quality. Using high quality aluminium throughout, the gaps, shaping, etc are superb, even after 36 years (although we understand the car was restored some years ago).
Aesthetically however the car misses out. The flat bonnet, the totally out-of-context square auxiliary lighting and even the bumper bars just don’t look right.
Internally the Suffolk is very much an SS100. The seats are comfortable but there isn’t a lot of space, particularly for six-footers like me.
Once on board the Suffolk has as typical thirties feel about it and is all the better for it. Just as with the visual appearance, you would be hard pushed to know you were not in a period car, that is, until you use the performance and handling capabilities which are superior to the original, for obvious reasons.
Internally the Panther is a bit of a let down but then again you have to put it into context as a modern interpretation. The dashboard incorporates a direct swap of items from an XJ but the whole effect is a little overpowering. Being a wider body there is a lot more room inside than the Suffolk and as the doors are hinged from the front (rear on the Suffolk) entry and exit is a little more dignified perhaps.
The biggest disappointment with the Panther is the forward view from the seat. Unlike the Suffolk which has the over-prominent headlights, the bold radiator grille top and the beautifully curved bonnet, the Panther’s lights disappear, the grille isn’t so prominent and the bonnet is completely flat and uninteresting.
On the road the cars also have differing appeals. The 3.8 litre engine of the J72 is naturally very torquey and it shows. The original road tests figures show a 0 to 60mph time of about 6 seconds yet John maintains that the engine is his car has been tweaked so is even faster and it feels it. The downside is that it doesn’t provide that ‘feel’ of a period car. The steering lock is abysmal, the dashboard is a little over-powering and the seating position is much lower, but it is a good all-rounder and could be driven with ease. It also has an excellent hood and side screens that can be erected and folded down much easier and quicker than the Suffolk.
Finally there is the value for money aspect. Not many J72’s come onto the market these days but based on a 4.2 litre at around £20,000 and a 3.8 litre like John’s at around £25,000, they represent exceptional value for money for a hand crafted car.
The Suffolk is out on its own. It not only looks period but feels it too. A much more aggressive exhaust note and a greater feeling of being a driver’s car make it rather special. Drive down any road and heads turn because everyone thinks you are in a motor vehicle from the 1930s and best of all they all admire it.
It is tight on space, I imagine it can be a bit of a pig to drive with the top up and you feel a little more vulnerable so low down but it is a great experience and if you fancy the vintage era but can’t afford a genuine SS100, this has to be the best car to buy.
Price for price, Suffolk SS100’s don’t come cheap, even if you build one yourself. This one has been exceptionally well put together with a really nice paint job and the contrasting black wire wheels compliment the car. At prices around twice that of the J72, the Suffolk represents a different style of motoring and ownership.
Which one would I go for?
If I had the cash. the Suffolk – it is right. The Panther is good but you can’t get away from the fact that it doesn’t look right, whatever the price.
