August 10, 2009

Panhard Dyna X

A little history

Panhard used to build luxury cars, but smartly converted itself into a popular car manufacturer right at the end of World War Two. The Panhards produced after the conflict would be characterized by their small flat-twin, air-cooled engine which offered not only good economy but also good performances thanks to well-studied aerodynamics and light weight due to the extensive use of alloys. First of them was the Dyna X, based on a project by Jean-Albert Grégoire. Introduced in 1948, it was produced until shortly after the launch of the larger Dyna Z, which was itself unveiled at the end of 1953.

Light and tuneable, Panhard engines also became invincible in the lower classes of international motor racing. The venerable manufacturer capitalized on this developing sporty image and launched in 1951 a small convertible based on the Dyna, the low-cost Dyna Junior (also simply called the Junior).

(This car’s history will be expanded in due time, please be patient.)

About the models

No comments about these models?! Well, it's late and I'm tired (that's my excuse not to confess "lazy" here). I'll certainly add some sometime in the future...

Model: Panhard Dyna X 110
Year: 1948
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.50 of its Nos Chères Voitures d'Antan press series
Acquired: brand new, in May 2006, in Souillac, France

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Model: Panhard Dyna X
Year: c.1950
Maker: Eligor
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Atlas as no.31 of its Les petits utilitaires des années 50-60 series
Acquired: second hand with neither stand nor box, in October 2007, in Brive, France

Photobucket

Photobucket

Model: Panhard Dyna X
Year: c.1950
Maker: Eligor
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Atlas as no.22 of its Les petits utilitaires des années 50-60 series
Acquired: second hand with neither stand nor box, in October 2007, in Brive, France

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Model: Panhard Dyna Junior
Year: 1954
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.30 of its Nos Chères Voitures d'Antan press series
Acquired: brand new, in September 2005, in Souillac, France

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

4 comments:

JDMike's Diecast Site said...

i am biased with any type of convertibles! this dyna junior is a cute little car! :-)

lorenzo721 said...

Thanks JD. It can appear a little boxy today, but during these times it was different. I remember hearing my father telling me years ago that he dreamt of owning such a car when he was young, and I know he wasn't the only one. For a relatively low price the Junior offered the sporty line of a roadster and performances to match. Even the Dyna saloon could reach 130 kph then - perhaps ridiculous today, but during the early Fifties many family cars with twice the displacement didn't even do that, while cars able to reach 150 were still very few.

JDMike's Diecast Site said...

Back in my college days, any convertible 2 seater was my dream car, but wasn't able to have one, hope when I do retire, i could build or restore me one nice roadster. :-)

lorenzo721 said...

I can understand that... Nevertheless, not so easy to find a convertible in Manila, as it seems. Building your own could indeed be an option.