Panhard Dyna Junior 1953: a little-known French roadster, assembled in a modest edition (16 photos)
The French car brand Panhard has long sunk into oblivion, but left its mark on history. Some models of this brand are good known, for example, the avant-garde Panhard et Levassor Dynamic, and about others only enthusiasts will remember. 
In front of you is one of them. Car, I mean, not enthusiast, of course. This is Panhard Dyna Junior, which was produced in early fifties, a very small total circulation of 4708 copies. 
Initially, the car was created for the American market, because roadsters were popular there, but the post-war American auto industry had not yet had time fill the market with their products. So they decided at the factory to translate into life offer of an American dealer. 
Panhards were famous for their aluminum bodies, but the body The junior is made from ordinary steel sheet. Came out too expensive aluminum body for a small-scale car, so we decided to simplify it. Despite the lack of a roof and more modest dimensions, the body has become 100 kilograms heavier than the full-fledged Dina, made of aluminum. 
Under the hood there was a two-cylinder air-cooled boxer, but slightly upgraded. 47 horsepower was removed from 850 cm3 of volume, thanks to the mechanical compressor, which is clearly visible in the photo. By in those days, and even with such a motor, the power was more than decent. 
Gearbox four-speed, with synchronizers on all gears except first, front-wheel drive. Front suspension on two transverse springs was also a curious solution, and the steering rack allowed to turn the steering wheel literally with two fingers. Very easy to driving a car. 
The dealer's hopes were not justified, the Americans were not imbued with this car, everything was unusual for them. Air motor, dimensions are small, in in general, little Panhard did not go to them. Therefore, despite the overseas order, most of the circulation was sold in Europe, primarily inside France itself, and part was sold to Italy. 
