Panhard et Levassor : 1891 - 1967

24 and Citroën-Panhard

In 1963, the stunning 24 series was launched. Its design was very modern and even now looks timelessly elegant.

The headlamps, mounted behind a transparent housing, anticipated the restyled DS of 1967; the front and rear pillars were symmetrically styled, the body, unlike earlier models, was free from adornments apart from a Corvair style strip of brightwork that emphasised the belt line.

In 1967, it all came to an end. Citroën needed the factory space for its own models.

Citroën-Panhard

Panhard-powered ID

Above In an effort to plug the gap between the 2CV and the ID, in 1959 it was suggested by the French motoring magazine 'l'Automobile' that Citroën should fit the Dyna two cylinder engine into the ID body.

Only two body styles were ever offered - a 2 + 2 and a slightly lengthened (by 25cm) 4 seater.

A variety of trim options were available and the standard engine produced 50 bhp while the Tigre models had an extra 10 bhp.

Right up to the end, Panhard were working on a new radially opposed four cylinder air cooled engine. The 24 body, suitably lengthened had been employed for the proposed new Citroën-Panhard - a DS chassis with a 145 bhp 2 litre engine based on the new short stroke D engine.

Citroën decided instead to go ahead with the project that would lead to the SM.

Another lengthened 24 was used by Citroën as a test bed for the forthcoming SM - this car (above) was effectively an SM under the skin.