Automotive history has produced many an ugly car. While styling and design are subjective, sometimes we must look beneath the surface to notice an engineering solution that may outshine what turned us off. Our Pick of the Day is one of those kinds of vehicles: a 1955 Panhard Dyna Z. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing.)
A book I had as a kid was called “Cars of the 50s and 60s,” written by Michael Sedgwick. What fascinated me most was not the finned flyers I so wanted to look at, but the odd cars from Europe. Many of these cars have been mainstreamed into the American auction world, such as the Amphicar and Messerschmitt, but the Panhard Dyna remains a curiosity.
Panhard may resonate best with American enthusiasts due to the Panhard rod, but the cars the company made have spanned several different classes. It’s quite possible that the 1930s iteration of the luxurious Panhard Dynamic, with its excessive Art Deco accoutrements, integrated headlights (quite unusual in 1936), monocoque construction, and Streamline Moderne style, may ring a bell with some, but the company’s postwar output tends not to be on Americans’ radar. Of course, in 1940, France found itself in a difficult position, and the Dynamic waved the white flag.
After the war, as part of a restructuring of the automotive industry, Panhard produced a more commercial vehicle called the Dyna X, which was notable for front-wheel drive, use of aluminum, and an air-cooled, flat-twin engine. However, it was the 1954 Dyna Z that took that to another level with a streamlined design and unusual center-mounted fog light. Weight was 1,500-1,800 pounds, depending on the aluminum content (earlier cars featured more aluminum until its cost advantage fell to the point of impracticality). Transverse leaf springs up front and rear torsion bars allowed the Dyna Z to carry six in comfort. Is it any wonder that Citroen bought a 25 percent interest in 1955?
The Dyna Z was succeeded in 1959 by the facelifted PL 17, which was discontinued in 1965 when Citroen completely absorbed the company, though the more contemporary-looking Panhard 24 was introduced the previous year and lasted through 1967, upon which Panhard only produced military vehicles.
This 1955 Panhard Dyna Z is what is known as a Z1, one of the early high aluminum-content sedans produced until the cost of aluminum became an issue. It was imported from Europe after a restoration in 2017-18. Having had only two owners previous to the current seller, this car has Jaune Vanille paint complemented by a gray interior. Power comes from a “LeMans” 950cc two-cylinder boxer with two plugs per cylinder and dual ignition. Horsepower is 70, which is a big step up from the 40 horses coming from the stock 851cc. Shifting is by a four-speed manual on the column.
Panhard had a presence in the United States, but it was one of the less successful imports, perhaps selling under 1,000 over several years. With interesting engineering on its side, plus quirky styling and Citroen club support, this $31,000 car makes for a unique collectible.
