Classic Cars and Coffee - NYE Saturday 31 December 2022

The end of the year Classic Cars and Coffee is always a big event - and indeed it was for 2022. This year has seen the event expand to cover two of UWAs major carparks, with one smaller carpark between them. To accommodate demand, start time was moved to 8am and the end time to 11am. It was still very busy at 8am.

Immaculately restored BMW 900

Honda something and Fiat 500

The little Fiat Nuovo Cinquecento is a classic of budget motoring and despite its dimunitive size it attracts high proces.

BMW

Porsche 356

Mercedes-Benz 250SL

Another immaculately restored early postwar BMW motorcycle with a new Honda Gullwing behind.

A very tidy Cadillac squeezed onto the grass.

There was a very large crowd. Many exhibitors had to be turned away at various times when capacity was reached.

Lotus racecar

The ever popular Landrover Mk2

This is something you don't see often - Rover

The KBG reserved an area for display. We had 20 odd vehicles in attendance.

Captain Jim fills the lolly jar

Ford Mustang Mach 2 - recently registered

Another rarity - two Czech Skodas together. In the front the late 1960s Skoda 100R and in the rear 1962 Skoda Octavia, the last of the front engined Skodas for a considerable period.

Ford Galaxy

British TVR sportscar. There are quite a few of these fibreglass bodied cars in Perth

My 1954 DKW RT250 drew a lot of comment. Flanked by Paul's Ducati.

Renault Dauphine - back on the road after a recent accident and better than ever.

Back to the KBG - Mini Moke Californian

Reliant Scimitar

Cadillac

1953 Cadillac

Pontiac Cruiser

1953 Ford

1956 replica Jaguar D Type

ISO Panterra

Alfa Romeo Guiletta coupe. Very nice

Another pair of BMWs

EH Holden - bargain at 1,664 Australian pounds.

Renault 4CV

Lancia Fulvia rally car

Some custom kit car

Mercedes-Benz

VW Type 2 utility and Durkopp Diana scooter.

Citroen GX

1959 Panhard PL17

The predecessor - Panhard Dyna Z: https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2022/12/1954-panhard-dyna.html

And part of my wishlist: https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2021/02/classic-car-wish-list-in-2021.html

1954 Panhard Dyna

Panhard History

Although virtually unknown outside of France, Panhard and Levassor (aka Panhard) is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world. Starting with steam powered motor carriages in the 1880s, Panhard became on of the pioneering automobiles. They were the first manufacturer to place the engine at the front of the car, driving the rear wheels by a transmission; the standard format for automobile design today. The 'Panhard rod' suspension arm is their invention. In the 1920s and 30s, they built large, expensive but generally conventional cars, culminating in the exceptional art-deco styled Dynamic model of 1936.

Like other French luxury brands, such as Delage and Hotchkiss Gregoire, they found themselves at a loose end after the Second World War. No one could afford their large luxury cars and so they needed to design a completely new range of economy vehicles. Jean Gregoire (no relation to the other French car-marker, Gregoire) had designed a lightweight budget car powered by a two-cylinder air-cooled motor during the war years but no one showed any interest in it. Gregoire's car was a rough and ready vehicle, marginally above the Citroen 2CV. Panhard purchased the design from Gregoire and developed the car into something more appealing. This would become the Dyna X, which went on sale in 1948. The car had stylish aluminum bodywork and powered by an air-cooled flat twin engine of 684cc. The car's lightweight body allowed the car nimble performance, but over time the engine was increased in size up to 850cc. The aluminum body was also replaced by more durable steel.

In 1953 the Dyna X was completely restyled and released as the Dyna Z. The Dyna Z was powered by the 850cc twin but was now a full sized six-seater family sedan. Its lightweight construction and aerodynamic styling allowed it impressive performance despite its small engine and the car performed well on the rally circuit. The Dyna Z was in production until 1959 when it was replaced by the PL17 with a more modern body but the same running gear. Indeed, Panhard would struggle to find a suitable power-plant to replace the 850cc twin. The company was eventually subsumed into Citroen into 1965 and its automotive division was retired two years later. The company now specializes in military vehicles. https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2022/12/1959-panhard-pl17.html