This 1960 Panhard PL17 may look like a French pastry, with its expressive aluminum trim, but it has also received an engine upgrade to Tigre specifications, which means another 8 hp on top of the 42 available in the base model. So perhaps it’s a pastry that … roars? Find it here on facebook Marketplace for $24,995, in nearly completely restored condition. The new owner can retrieve it from Midland, Michigan, though given the proclivity of Panhards to dish up trouble, a trailer is advised. JDC, you must have a French thing going on with this one and the Matra (stay tuned) – thanks for hunting up the tip!
Panhard barely survived WWII. Really, it didn’t. From a once-proud manufacturer founded in 1890, it was on the wrong side of France’s recovery from the war, which flattened the aristocracy in favor of bureaucrats who could kickstart the country. The last model Panhard made before the advent of the war was the Dynamic, a spectacularly modern creation given its 1937 vintage. Of course, it was a luxury car through and through. The new imperative – overseen by Paul-Marie Pons, a naval officer in charge of redirecting French automotive efforts post-WWII – called for modest transportation available to everyone. An aggregation of efforts by disparate parties gave rise to Panhard’s aluminum-bodied sedan called the Dyna. Reasonable sales provoked a largely cosmetic upgrade to the PL17 in 1960, but Panhard had already required a financial investment by Citroën in 1955 just to stay alive. By 1964, Panhard was completely enfolded into the larger maker, and its nameplate was extinguished.
Before we talk about the engine specs – holy cow, this underhood real estate is a vision! Exterior quality paint, lovely soft rubber seals (originals NLA, these are probably the closest thing the restorer could find), polished aluminum shroud, new hoses … only the faint hazing on the bumper is a letdown, and that can be polished out. A+ for effort here. Meanwhile, that lump in the center is an air-cooled, 848 cc flat twin, and the Tigre spec means a hotter cam bringing on the extra power. The engine itself is designed with a roller-bearing (“everlasting”) crank, hydraulic lifters, and all-alloy construction. Thanks to the clever racing community, PL17s could achieve 70 hp and nearly 100 mph. Such ingenuity helped the marque sweep the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally. This engine was rebuilt by a specialist and is said to run well. The four-speed gearbox driving the front wheels has been replaced, and the car has a new clutch.
For funky, look no further than that instrument-laden binacle surrounding the steering wheel. That’s where you’ll find everything you need to run the car! Those switches are precious – these look to be in great condition. I’ll reserve judgment on the lavender upholstery…. Meanwhile, in the way-back, the trunk is in fine shape, with even the spare present.
Panhard – along with many of its peers – had responded to the war-time shortage of steel by using aluminum to construct cars. However, as supply chains normalized, these companies found that the price of the lighter metal skyrocketed, while steel became ever more available. Consequently, over time, more panels were made of steel, imposing a drag on performance. This car has a good foundation with its upgraded, rebuilt engine and gearbox, but I would take a magnet to your pre-purchase. The more aluminum, the better!
Hoping to start on a happy note,hope your week goes well,,what a neat car. What is with the French and their affliction to fish? I’ve heard of the name, but never saw’r one in person. I realize, as a stout promoter of Rambler/AMC, I could never be the “pot calling the kettle black”, but their designs were always so UNconventional, even too far out there for most Americans. In the Beer City, a Renault was about the extent of it,,until June 18, 1982, when we were introduced to the Alliance,,,with lack luster results. I think out of denial, many refused to accept it was mostly French.
It, in true French fashion, is different in practically every way. It’s as if they intentionally made it that way. These weren’t cheap. I read, this car cost almost 7,000 francs! Not sure the exchange rate, ($1800US at the time), but I’m sure they earned Francs like our dollars, and was out of reach for most. I read most of these were LHD, and I sure wonder how it got here in the 1st place. Naturally I’d love to have it, but maybe a set of dentures 1st,,what a cool find.
More great work from Michelle!
I remember my father taking me to a showroom (I think in Hollywood) when I was a Wee Lad, where we looked at a PL17. I thought it was a neat little car then, and still do.
A combination of good aerodynamics, light weight (IIRC, early examples had aluminum bodies) and the push from that flat-twin gave Panhards a higher than expected top speed, and indeed the engines were used in D-B Panhard racers, which got in the way of all the big machines at Le Mans, but almost always won the weirdly French Index of Efficiency prize.
The PL17 may look odd to American eyes, but it’s downright conservative when compared to the Panhard Dynavia which, alas never made it to production.
Am I the only one who looks at this and wonders…. what is the coefficient of drag…. for this vehicle? It has to be fairly low to achieve 100 mph on 70 HP.
For $24,995, here’s an idea. Park it in front of the French Embassy in DC with a for sale sign on it. Maybe the ambassador will buy it with French government cash and send it back home.
Otherwise, there aren’t many active buyers out in the US hinterlands for this, especially at that price. But as they say, you only need one.
Panhard was never short on innovation; we can still to this day read “Panhard rod” in suspension components, among others. The 850cc air cooled engine delivers enough power to move this roomy 5 seater at a good rate of speed, handling is above average for the era, thanks to FWD , independent suspension; rack & pinion steering does not require assist, the car being light enough. Also worth mentioning is the good size trunk.
I have driven several models of post-war Panhard, they are a delight, even in modern traffic.
If the car is as good as described , price is reasonable…..imo
GLWTS