When the first Solo was nearing production, the UK magazine
Car had it on the front cover and proclaimed it would be as great as the E-Type Jaguar was in its time!
The first one was rwd, but was beaten onto the market by the first MR2. Panther had to rethink and went hi-tech/upmarket away from the Toyota. The Solo 2 was AWD – it never really happened though – don't think Panther ever really sorted the chassis/handling...
See
>here<