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