Panther Motorcycles was founded in 1971 by Clifford (Cliff) Coleman in Fountain Valley, California (USA). The company was incorporated as Panther Motors Inc. The goal was to manufacture lightweight off-road and dual-purpose motorcycles for the US market, combining California chassis design with high-performance European engines (primarily from Sachs).

The company Panther Motors Inc.no longer exists. The business ceased operations in the mid-1970s (approx. 1975). There was no takeover by another motorcycle manufacturer; the brand vanished due to market pressure from Japanese manufacturers. The production of motorcycles was permanently discontinued at that time.