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Panhard (PL) 17 - Downsizing pioneer

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Created on November 8, 2025

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

45

Archiv

35

Daniel Reinhard

45

Archiv

35

Panhard 17b (1965) - the aerodynamics are written all over its face

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Vive la France

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Panhard 17b (1965) - still keeps up well with traffic today

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Panhard 17b (1965) - not so narrow at 162 cm wide

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the two-cylinder rattle doesn't really suit this full-size sedan

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Panhard 17b (1965) - maximum speed of around 128 km/h according to the factory

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the factory stated a standard consumption of six liters per 100 km

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Panhard 17b (1965) - was more expensive than a VW 1500 back then

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Panhard 17b (1965) - stately limousine with very good aerodynamics

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Panhard 17b (1965) - still 4.58 meters long

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Panhard 17b (1965) - full-size sedan with six seats

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the hood is hinged at the rear and also includes parts of the fenders

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Panhard 17b (1965) - generously glazed

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Unladen weight according to DIN standard 805 kg

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Panhard 17b (1965) - everything open

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Panhard 17b (1965) - 1.46 meters high

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Panhard 17b (1965) - view inside, the flat vehicle floor is striking thanks to the lack of a cardan shaft

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Tape speedometer, integrated displays for tank level and charge level

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Additional switch on the steering column

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Luxury attributes - clock and interior temperature display

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the car is started with the key under the steering column

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the pedals of the air-cooled sedan

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Panhard 17b (1965) - front door panel

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Panhard 17b (1965) - two-cylinder boxer engine with central camshaft

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Panhard 17b (1965) - A look under the hood

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Panhard 17b (1965) - air-cooled two-cylinder

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Panhard 17b (1965) - light alloy construction - block and cylinder heads

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Panhard 17b (1965) - overhead valves and light alloy cylinder heads

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Protection on the engine oil filler cap

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Instructions for the lubrication service

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Nameplate

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the letters "PL" still go back to the designation of origin Panhard et Levassor

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Panhard 17b (1965) - round headlights

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Rims with brake drums exposed to the cooling airflow

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the rear wheel rim with integrated and visible drum brake

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Panhard 17b (1965) - door handle integrated into the trim strip with front-mounted lock

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Panhard 17b (1965) - rear door handle

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Sticker to celebrate 130 years of Panhard, in 2021

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Panhard 17b (1965) - well-traveled car

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Panhard 17b (1965) - Panhard lettering on the flank

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Panhard 17b (1965) - the rear lights lead around the corners

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Panhard 17b (1965) - type designation on the rear, the number "17" stands for 6 seats, 6 liters consumption and 5 (tax) hp

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Panhard 17b (1965) - former license plates that were once mounted on the car

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Amilcar Compound (1937) - Illustration from the 1937 sales brochure

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Amilcar Compound (1938) - Presentation at the 1938 Geneva Motor Show

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Amilcar Compound (1938) - A 1938 Compound with roadster bodywork

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Amilcar Compound (1938) - the interior of the exhibition vehicle at the 1938 Geneva Motor Show

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Amilcar Compound (1938) - Drive unit and front axle

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Amilcar Compound (1938) - View of the cast chassis and rear suspension

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Amilcar Compound (1938) - Chassis and front engine

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Panhard Dyna (1948) - built like an airplane - from a contemporary sales brochure

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Panhard Dyna (1952) - three versions of the front-wheel drive car

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Panhard Dyna (1952) - neat convertible sedan

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Panhard Dyna (1952) - was preferably presented with ladies

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Panhard Dyna (1947) - Sedan with spare wheel mounted on the outside

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Panhard Dyna (1946) - View of the two-cylinder boxer engine

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Panhard Dyna (1946) - the engine from the side

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Panhard Dyna (1954) - Presentation of the '54' model

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Panhard Dyna (1957) - ready for test drives

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Panhard Dyna (1957) - in good hands on the beach

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Panhard Dyna (1957) - rear view of the test car

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Panhard Dyna (1955) - the 'Luxe Special' model

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Panhard Dyna (1957) - the hood opens backwards to reveal the power unit

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Panhard Dyna (1957) - test car with steering wheel gearshift

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Panhard Dyna (1958) - Ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel

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Panhard Dyna (1958) - rounded and timeless design

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Panhard Dyna (1959) - from the last vintage

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Panhard PL 17 (1960) - with two-tone paintwork on the beach

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Panhard PL 17 Tigre (1960) - two-tone painted four-door car

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Panhard PL 17 Tigre (1960) - on test drive

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Panhard PL 17 Tigre (1960) - front view

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Panhard PL 17 (1960) - View of the interior

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Panhard 17 (1963) - model maintained

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Panhard 17 (1963) - without the "PL" in front of the "17"

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Panhard 17 (1963) - View of the interior

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Panhard 17 (1963) - in the middle of the 1964 model range

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Panhard 17 (1964) - Joy in the rain

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Panhard 17 Break (1965) - Station wagon for the whole family

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Panhard 17b (1965) - four-door sedan with very good Cd value

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Panhard 17b (1965) - wider than high

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Summary

The Panhard (PL) 17 transported six people, reached top speeds of up to 145 km/h depending on the version and all this with an air-cooled two-cylinder engine and a displacement of less than 900 cm3. It even excelled in rallying. It is worth taking a look back at this car from a long-forgotten brand.

This article contains the following chapters

Nomen est Omen
In its third generation
Quite economical
For six people
60 years later

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the mid-sixties, people did not necessarily expect a car with an air-cooled two-cylinder engine for over 8,000 francs; after all, Opel offered the Rekord with a water-cooled four-cylinder engine from 8,900 francs and Ford the 17M from 8,970 francs. And these were impressive cars, although the Panhard PL 17 was not small either. But they were equipped with unusual technology. In 1955, Citroën acquired a majority shareholding in Panhard. Although nothing changed in terms of the products for the time being, the type designation of the successor to the Panhard Dyna Z was aligned with Citroën's nomenclature. "PL" was reminiscent of the original Panhard Levassor brand designation, while the "17" obviously kept a certain distance from the Citroën "DS19".

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