haute bourgeoisie to more economical saloons. The Dyna X of 1946 combined front-wheel drive with a lightweight aluminium body, and seven years later it was superseded by the remarkable Dyna Z.The latest model from the Avenue d’Ivry factory in Paris was longer than a Ford Zephyr-Zodiac, yet the sales publicity boasted the 851cc horizontally-opposed, twin-cylinder air-cooled engine (similar to that of the Citroen 2CV) was capable of 81mph.
Furthermore, the Z weighed a mere 1,560lb, while Panhard claimed the body created by Louis Bionierhada drag coefficient of only 0.28.
Unfortunately, the Z’s aluminium bodywork meant it was also vastly more expensive than models from French rivals Peugeot or Simca.In 1955 Panhard’s financial issues resulted in Citroën taking a 25 per cent stake in the business.
Two years later, the Dyna was being produced with a much cheaper steel body, then by June 1959 it was facelifted as the PL17 with extra chrome fittings.
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