"Jonee" (Jonee)
07/09/2015 at 15:06 • Filed to: Panhard, Cuba
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"Jonee" (Jonee)
07/09/2015 at 15:06 • Filed to: Panhard, Cuba | 4
| 21 |
A couple weeks ago, on one of the random weird car Facebook groups I apparently liked at some point, someone posted a photo of a Panhard PL17 they took in Cuba. I was fascinated. We all know about the classic American cars that still trundle along Havana streets powered by incredible assortments of car parts, but I had no idea there were also French weirdos. A Google image search brings up a whole bunch of pictures of these cars and they’re glorious.
Panhard et Levassor was the first French auto manufacturer formed by two friends who got a license to build Daimler motors in 1890. The company lasted until 1967 when Citroën, who had taken over Panhard in ‘64, finally retired the name. Panhard actually revolutionized the motorcar and not just for the rod that still bears its name. It was Panhard and Levassor who first arranged a drivetrain with the engine in front followed by a clutch and transmission powering the rear wheels. It was a system that worked that everyone copied.
After WWII, they started building aluminum bodied cars like these PL17’s. I can’t find much info on how many cars they exported to Cuba, but the PL17 was built from 1960-65, which means they got there right as the Communist revolution was happening. These were light, agile cars powered by a 50HP, 850cc air cooled twin. They were cheap, but roomy and handsome and performed well. One even won the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally. The cheapness was probably what appealed them to the Cuban market, but they were also notoriously unreliable. I can imagine few of these are running with their original engines. But, who cares because they look great.
This blue one is even a Tigre which was the fancy shmancy version that featured tiger print upholstery.
So, kudos to the intrepid Cubans keeping these oddballs in service. I hope someone remembers them when the inevitable happens and they’re no longer needed as transportation.
duurtlang
> Jonee
07/09/2015 at 15:24 |
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That’s a rather clean early Peugeot 205 as well. Not a rare car at all, even after 2.5-3 decades as they’re cockroaches, but I’m surprised to see one in Cuba. The same can be said about the much newer 307 wagon in the same picture.
The Panhard connection interesting. I like how people with very basic tools can keep cars on the road this long. Sustainability done right. The climate which prevents rust does help.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Jonee
07/09/2015 at 15:27 |
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Wait, the PL17s are substantially aluminum? I knew the early Dynas were, but by the later Zs they had gone to mostly steel construction, and that was before the PL17.
I think the red one with the open hood may have had a powertrain swap, as I don’t see the engine-supporting exhaust pipes. I’ve heard one failure mode is transmission case cracks...
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Jonee
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/09/2015 at 15:33 |
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I thought the early PL17’s were still aluminum, but maybe I’m wrong. I know they started replacing some body panels with steel as things went along.
Only the French would mount the engine to the exhaust. I imagine the large holes cut in the hoods for cooling mean an engine swap as well. Probably a radiator in there now.
MultiplaOrgasms
> Jonee
07/09/2015 at 15:41 |
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Given that a lot of cars in Cuba are running either Lada engines or some japanese engine, it wouldn’t surprise me if some of those Panhards have old Subaru boxer engines as Subarus have a very similar drivetrain layout to the Panhard.
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Jonee
> MultiplaOrgasms
07/09/2015 at 15:47 |
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Interesting, I didn’t think of that. You may be right. I’d love a Subaru powered Panhard. Plenty of old Renaults down there, too, if they wanted to keep it French, which is probably not much of a concern for them.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> MultiplaOrgasms
07/09/2015 at 16:07 |
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The tricky thing would be reworking the suspension from a system bolted onto the transmission.
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MultiplaOrgasms
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/09/2015 at 16:37 |
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Some communist ingenuity will do that.
desertdog5051
> Jonee
07/09/2015 at 20:46 |
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An interesting history. Beautiful car in its own way. Great post.
Berang
> Jonee
07/10/2015 at 14:15 |
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It would be interesting to see what they have going on in the engine department. I know a lot of cars have Lada engines, but that wouldn’t fit under a Panhard hood.
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Jonee
> Berang
07/10/2015 at 14:40 |
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Yeah, I’m really curious. Obviously something with a radiator based on the big holes cut in the front of some of them. Someone else mentioned a Subaru pancake 4 would work, but I’m not sure they got Subarus down there.
Jobjoris
> Jonee
07/13/2015 at 03:17 |
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Awesome, I was waiting for a piece on the Panhard, that way I can come up with an easy French Friday piece on LaLD!
I can imagine few of these are running with their original engines.
Most of the Cuban cars have VAZ/Lada engines mounted but it would be truly awesome if someone mounted a Wartburg engine or something.
The front of a Panhard PL17 always reminds me of a giant scared/startled fish but the back always appealed to me a lot.
Great post!
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Jonee
> Jobjoris
07/13/2015 at 15:42 |
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I’d like to do a longer piece on Panhard one day. Incredible history in that marque. It’s too bad it doesn’t exist any more. Citroën should bring it back. It could become their Dacia. Didn’t you do a Panhard once before for French Friday? A 24 C or BT?
I imagine they are Lada powered now. There’s no way these people have access to Panhard parts unless they’re cannibalizing other cars. Although, the two white ones I found pictures of don’t have the big radiator holes cut into their hoods, so who knows.
The earlier Dynas look even more like a fish to me.
I had a chance to buy a really cheap one of these, but it was 3,000 miles away. I’d love to find one, but they don’t hold up all that well when they sit and all the ones I find are junk. Although, the aluminum bodies don’t disintegrate.
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Jobjoris
> Jonee
07/13/2015 at 17:10 |
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Citroën really should use it, not sure if the cheapest cars should be Panhard though. These were not exactly that cheap right? Haven’t done a Panhard yet on LaLD. Still looking for a 24CT or a CD. I’ve got a PL17 L9 Brèak laying somewhere.
The Dyna even looked more fishy indeed. My brother once was tempted to buy a PL17 Berline. But he got a Fiat 500D instead...
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Jonee
> Jobjoris
07/14/2015 at 18:13 |
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They were more expensive than a 2CV, but cheaper than a DS or a Peugeot. With a 2 cylinder, they were economy car, just not the cheapest one. I don’t know what niche they’d fill today.
I imagine it was much much easier to find parts for the Fiat. And it was probably more fun to drive. But, it’s definitely not as unique.
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Jobjoris
> Jonee
07/15/2015 at 02:34 |
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The Fiat was his last attempt to get and enjoy a classic car. Well, not exactly. He did a Piaggio Apecar after that, that was awesome. But now it’s all... Beige. He got a Scooter. Some Yamaha 250cc.
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Jonee
> Jobjoris
07/16/2015 at 03:18 |
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An Ape is way cool. Too bad he downgraded to the Yamaha.
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Jobjoris
> Jonee
07/16/2015 at 03:50 |
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BEIGE! BEIGE! We need to cut down in our “threads”, this is getting out of control.
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Jonee
> Jobjoris
07/16/2015 at 14:16 |
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I’m having trouble keeping track of all our conversations.
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Jobjoris
> Jonee
07/17/2015 at 03:58 |
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Hahaha... Okay. This one ends HERE.
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Jonee
> Jobjoris
07/17/2015 at 10:20 |
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It’s funny that that micro truck article is now on the front page, so one of our conversations from a couple months ago is being visited by everyone.
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Jobjoris
> Jonee
07/17/2015 at 11:55 |
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Haha, I was wondering where all those recommendations on my replies came from! FP again. Better apply quick!