The Panther De Ville was equipped with Jaguar suspension, power steering and automatic transmission, so it was an easy car to drive and quite quick, although poor aerodynamics tended to keep the top speed low. Interiors were lavish and often featured TV sets and drinks bars. The doors of the De Ville were from the BMC 1800 family car.[1]
A Panther De Ville was used in Disney's live-action movies 101 Dalmatians (1996), 102 Dalmatians (2000) and two De Ville's for the film Cruella (2021) as Cruella de Vil's car. The Jaguar engine in the car was replaced with a small-block Chevrolet V8 to better withstand the rigours of stunt driving.[1] The Panther de Ville was hand painted by Alexander Mitchell.
Sources and further reading
^ abcdBuckley, Martin (30 April 2004), Cars of the Super Rich, Motorbooks, p. 194, ISBN9780760319536
^Costa, André & Georges-Michel Fraichard, ed. (September 1979). "Salon 1979: Toutes les Voitures du Monde". l'Auto Journal (in French). No. 14 & 15. Paris: Homme N°1. p. 157.