Panhard

Year of foundation 1985-1967

Panhard's history is one of the most fascinating and longstanding in the automotive world. Founded as a woodworking machinery company, it evolved into an automotive pioneer, distinguished by its technical innovations.

The Origins (1845-1891)
It all began in 1845 in Paris, when Jean-Louis Périn founded a company producing woodworking machinery. In 1867, René Panhard, a brilliant engineer, joined the company, which became Périn & Panhard. The company expanded, and after Périn's death, Émile Levassor, Panhard's friend and business partner, joined the business. It was Levassor who saw the potential of internal combustion engines and signed an agreement to license Gottlieb Daimler's engines, thus paving the way for the company's transformation into an automobile manufacturer.

Early Automobiles and Innovations (1891-1930)
In 1891, Panhard & Levassor (the name it took after Levassor joined) produced its first car, the "Type A." Although it wasn't the first motor vehicle ever, Panhard was the first company to mass-produce automobiles and to introduce a key innovation: the Panhard System. This layout, which placed the engine at the front of the vehicle, the gearbox in the middle, and the rear wheels driven, became the standard for the automotive industry for decades.

Panhard also quickly became famous in the world of racing, participating in and winning numerous races, including the 1895 Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race.

The Interwar Period and the Crisis
In the following years, the company continued to produce luxury and high-tech cars. However, the two world wars marked a period of significant disruption. During the conflicts, production was converted to military purposes. After the war, the company found itself in financial difficulty.

Postwar revival and the end of civilian production
To recover from the post-World War II crisis, Panhard decided to focus on more accessible and innovative cars. In 1948, it launched the Dyna X, a small economy car with an aluminum body and front-wheel drive, highly advanced features for the time. The success of the Dyna X led to the development of the Dyna Z in 1953, a car distinguished by its futuristic design and innovative, lightweight, yet powerful, twin-cylinder boxer engine.

Despite its technical qualities, the car was very expensive to produce due to the extensive use of aluminum and, later, the switch to steel. The company's financial situation remained precarious, leading to its complete acquisition in 1965 by Citroën, which already held shares.

In 1967, Panhard automobile production ceased permanently.

The Legacy
Although the Panhard name disappeared from the civilian market, the company never completely died out. Its military division, known as Panhard Defense (now Arquus Defense), continued to produce armored and military vehicles.

Panhard remains an iconic brand for classic car enthusiasts, remembered for its bold technical innovations, unique designs, and its pivotal role in the history of the automobile.