« La fabrication des Panhard 24 cesse ». With this simple six word phrase, on 20 September 1967 Citroën announced the end of 75 years of automobile manufacture by Panhard.

This long overdue book recounts the history of Panhard et Levassor who were the first in France to manufacture an internal combustion engine in 1876. René Panhard and Émile Levassor built their first motor car in 1890 - a mid-engined dos-à-dos horseless carriage powered by a V2 powerplant built under licence from Gottlieb Daimler and subsequently established the front engine-gearbox-powered rear axle architecture that for so long was the standard (notwithstanding that after the war, they adopted front wheel drive).

This book deals its beginnings as one of the automotive pioneers through the inter-war years when it built large luxurious cars and its post war lightweight sporty cars.

In 1955 Panhard entered the Citroën stable and for the next twelve years produced a range of idiosyncratic cars which in many markets, were sold alongside Citroën, complimenting as they did the Citroën range by filling the gap – or chasm – between the Ami 6 and ID19.

When it all ended in 1967, the Panhard know-how and personnel continued to live on at Citroën.

Topics covered include the reasons why the Panhard-Citroën agreements were needed; the Dyna Z in the Citroën era and 2 CVs from Panhard; the PL 17; Deutsch et Bonnet’s souped up Panhards; the Panhard 24; rallying successes; Panhards around the world and the Panhard influence on the Dyane and much more.

As is normal with Citrovisie, the book is copiously illustrated with many hitherto unseen photos, the text is detailed and the layout is superb.

Authors and Panhard connoisseurs Yann Le Lay and Bernard Vermeylen recount the fascinating history of the Panhard and Citroën ‘marriage’. The normal caveat about the book being in French applies but if your French is up to it, this book is essential for anyone who is interested in Panhard and Citroën history.