PANTHER REDWING

Phelon & Moore rarely trod the straight and narrow, and even eschewed the annual Olympia motorcycle exhibition in the 1930s. They chose instead to display their wares in a separate showroom across the road, where Panthers could take pride of place without all those lesser marques cluttering up the place. These days the POC are content to mix with us mere mortals at classic shows like Bristol, where I was mildly confounded by the sheer quantity of intriguing machines on the club stand. Eventually I plumped for this one, a Model 100 which dates from 1937. That was the last year that the topof-the-range 598cc long-stroke single would bear the Redwing name.

Three years after its launch in 1932, the 87mm by 100mm sloper engine was updated, introducing the substantially finned sump and smooth timing chest cover that would become so familiar. It ran 6.5:1 compression, producing 26bhp at 5000rpm to give a top speed of 78mph – although outright velocity was never the true purpose of a Panther. Indomitable pulling power and robust reliability were the Panther’s strongest points. ‘These engines have an established reputation for high efficiency and long life,’ said P&M, and formed part of the frame which was ‘of immense strength combined with lightness and perfect rigidity.’

Indeed, every aspect of the Panther was built to last and for entirely practical purposes. Footrest brackets, for instance, were ‘enormously strong’

and the machine rested on its ‘perfect stand’ at the rear. ‘If the lifting handle is pulled with one hand the machine literally lifts itself onto the stand – of great width to ensure stability on any surface.’ Rapid access for regular maintenance or roadside repairs came as standard: the clutch hid behind a quick-removable plate while the pushrod tubes would simply slide upwards for tappet adjustment. In ACU tests, back when punctures were commonplace, both wheels could be removed in less than three minutes and the rear wheel was liberated in just one minute and 22 seconds!

P&M continued doing things their own way with the Redwing’s interconnected brakes; a 7” half-width front hub and an 8” Enfield rear hub, operated by the foot pedal and adjusted so that the front would take effect slightly before the rear.

Linked brakes were used by a few other marques during the interwar period, but the Panther’s twin adjustable headlamps were ‘obtainable on no other motorcycle.’

That’s hardly surprising as the heavyduty Webb forks – especially specified for P&M to withstand the rigours of sidecar life – had to be further adapted, and a 50W Miller dynamo was required to generate sufficient electrical energy. Those Panther pilots so endowed could then employ P&M’S patented dip-andswivel device which ‘enables the lamp to be turned round so that it will pick out the edge of the road, and enable the machine to be driven safely during the thickest fog.’ Sounds exciting: has anyone out there actually used P&M’S swivelling set-up?

Owner John bought this Model 100 in 2012. It had been taken off the road in 1958 and ‘was in a bit of a state’… a considerable understatement. A horrible dual seat was balanced precariously on the frame and, during its years stood in the back of a garage, some important parts had apparently evaporated. Items like silencers were obvious by their absence, and the Model 100 definitely didn’t sport the handsome toolboxes seen here.

John gradually revitalised the Panther, finding many missing or incorrect components to give the old cat a new lease of life. Happily, he opted to retain the machine’s original ivory paintwork; the first purchaser would’ve paid an extra £1.5s on top of the £59.10s cost for that colour scheme! He (perhaps wisely) opted to keep the Panther’s single 8” Miller headlamp and 30W dynamo, too.

John finds the Model 100’s compact dimensions easy to handle. It might be a heavyweight at 350lb but the 26” saddle is a cinch to straddle, and it’s a wellbalanced machine which carries its mass low in the chassis. Liberated from sidecar duties, in solo guise the Model 100 can comfortably keep up with its classic