View source for Engineering:Panhard PL 17

{{Infobox automobile
| image = Panhard PL17 1964 front.jpg
| name = Panhard PL 17
| aka = Panhard 17
| production = 1959 - 1965
| assembly = 
| predecessor = [[Engineering:Panhard Dyna Z|Panhard Dyna Z]]
| successor = [[Engineering:Panhard 24|Panhard 24]]
| class = 
| body_style = 4-door [[Engineering:Sedan (automobile)|saloon]]<br/>2-door cabriolet<br/>4-door [[Engineering:Station wagon|station wagon]]
| layout = [[Engineering:Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]]
| platform = 
| engine = 848 cc air-cooled flat-2<ref name="PL17">{{Cite web|url=http://www.citroenet.org.uk/panhard-et-levassor/panhard-08.html|title=Post war Panhard cars|access-date=2012-09-14|work=citroenet.org.uk}}</ref><br/> 851 cc air-cooled flat-2<ref name="PL17"/>
| transmission = 
| wheelbase = {{ubl | {{convert|2570|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|2800|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (Break) }}
| length = {{convert|4580|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{ubl | {{convert|1660|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|1620|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (Break) }}
| height = {{convert|1550|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|805|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}-{{convert|830|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| related = 
| designer = 
| caption = 1964 Panhard PL 17
}}

The '''Panhard PL 17''' is an automobile made by the {{wipe|France}} manufacturer [[Company:Panhard|Panhard]] from 1959 until 1965. Presented on 29 June 1959, as successor to the [[Engineering:Panhard Dyna Z|Panhard Dyna Z]], the PL 17 was essentially a facelifted version of its predecessor. The initial four-door saloon (and pickup and van) was joined by the Cabriolet in 1961,<ref name="PL17"/> and by the Break,<ref name="PL17"/> a five-door [[Engineering:Station wagon|estate]] version, in April 1963. The Break, developed by Italian company Pan Auto, sat on a longer wheelbase but was of the same overall length.

==Model history==
[[File:1960 Panhard PL17 fl.jpg|left|thumb|1960 Panhard PL 17]]
[[File:1960 Panhard PL17 rl.jpg|left|thumb|1960 Panhard 17 rear view]]
The model's name was derived from "PL" for "Panhard et Levassor" (the original full name of the company), with the "17" coming from the sum of 5+6+6, being 5 CV (fiscal horses, in the French power rating system) plus 6 for the car's six seats, plus 6 for the car's economy of {{convert|6|L/100km|abbr=on}}. As the car was developed under close supervision by Citroën, it was also no coincidence that 17 is a lower number than that of the [[Engineering:Citroën DS|DS&nbsp;19]].<ref name=om20>{{cite web | url = https://oldmotors.net/panhard-pl-17-the-two-cylinder-tiger/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221130074638/https://oldmotors.net/panhard-pl-17-the-two-cylinder-tiger/ | archive-date = 2022-11-30 | title = Panhard PL 17: The Two-Cylinder Tiger | date = 2020-02-23 | editor-first = Alex | editor-last = Kwanten | work = Old Motors }}</ref>

The two-door Cabriolet was first introduced in March 1960 and only available to customers in the United States. Not a runaway success, only 47 examples of this export-only model (internal code L2) were built.<ref name=anciennes>{{cite web | url = https://newsdanciennes.com/au-volant-dune-panhard-pl-17-laddition-gagnante/ | title = Au volant d'une Panhard PL 17, l'addition gagnante! | trans-title = At the wheel of a Panhard PL 17, the winning addition! | language = fr | first = Vincent | last = Decours | date = 2021-03-01 | work = News d'Anciennes }}</ref> A regularly available version for European customers was shown at the 1960 Paris Salon, becoming available in 1961 (L5). The trim level was equivalent to the top-of-the-line sedan, the Grand Standing model.<ref name=carmodel38946>{{cite web | url = https://www.carmodel.com/de/edicola/-/1-18/panhard/pl17-cabriolet-1963/38946 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230705010131/https://www.carmodel.com/de/edicola/-/1-18/panhard/pl17-cabriolet-1963/38946 | archive-date = 2023-07-05 | title = Edicola - Panhard - PL17 Cabriolet 1963 | first = David | last = Tarallo | work = Car Model }}</ref> For the 1963 model year, the Cabriolet was updated with the new engine, becoming the L8 - 125 examples were built of this version. Never a strong seller, the convertible was discontinued later in 1963 and the production line used to build the new PL&nbsp;17 Break instead.

In 1961 the entire line received a minor facelift: the front doors were now hung from the front, rather than the original's "suicide doors", while the turn signals were moved from near the base of the A-pillar to new positions flanking the headlamps.

From the 1964 model year, the letters PL were dropped; this approximately coincided with the completed takeover the company by [[Company:Citroën|Citroën]]. {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} Other names were lightly changed as well, with the addition of a "B" (for ''Berline'') and "BT" for the Tigre model. The luxurious Grand Standing version was replaced by the "Relmax". The car also underwent a slight facelift, losing the chrome unibrow at the front.

===Utilitaires===
In October 1958, a pickup and van version of the Dyna Z called the "Dyna Z Commerciale D65" had been presented. "D65" reflects the {{cvt|650|kg|lb|0}} payload, initially a pickup or canvas-covered pickup were available. In April 1959 a panel van and a chassis cab were added. 1,735 examples were built in the model's ten-month career,<ref name=PanCprod>{{cite web | url = https://www.club-panhard-france.net/Site/index.php/la-gamme-panhard/11-la-gamme-en-detail?showall=1&limitstart= | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211207075536/https://www.club-panhard-france.net/Site/index.php/la-gamme-panhard/11-la-gamme-en-detail?showall=1&limitstart= | archive-date = 2021-12-07 | date = 2008-05-26 | language = fr | title = La gamme Panhard: La gamme en détail | trans-title = The Panhard lineup: The lineup in detail | work = Club Panhard & Levassor France }}</ref> kept short since the Dyna Z was updated to the PL&nbsp;17 model within less than a year. Since the PL&nbsp;17 was essentially just a facelift, the D65 was updated with the new front treatment and went on sale simultaneously with the saloon. The bodystyles were the same as for the new '''Panhard F65''' (model code WL1), with a glazed van model added to pricelists in July 1959.<ref name=ALutil>{{cite web | first = André | last = Le Roux | title = Utilitaires français: Panhard Dyna Z, PL 17, 17 | url = http://leroux.andre.free.fr/utilitairedynaz.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030406/http://leroux.andre.free.fr/utilitairedynaz.htm | archive-date = 2023-07-05 | language = fr }}</ref>

In November 1959, a lighter-duty model with a {{cvt|500|kg|lb|0}} payload was added. Called the '''F50''', this model was created to avoid parking time restrictions in the newly introduced ''Zones Bleues'' ("Blue Zones") surrounding several major French cities. Priced nearly the same, the only discernible difference was slightly smaller tires for the F50 (model code WL2).<ref name=ALutil/> For 1961, the Utilitaires received the same cosmetic changes as did the rest of the range; the model codes were accordingly changed to WL3/WL4. The codes changed again for 1963 (WL6/WL7), when the modified, 848&nbsp;cc engine was introduced. For 1964 the range was again facelifted (less chrome and new, trapezoidal turn signals), but the model names were not altered.<ref name=PanCprod/>

==Technical specifications==
[[File:Panhard 17B Relmax & PL17 (16517288821).jpg|thumb|1964 Panhard 17B Relmax in front of an earlier (1961–1963) PL&nbsp;17]]
Initially, the car continued to use the engines of the Dyna Z, both of 851&nbsp;cc. The standard one gave {{convert|42|hp|abbr=on}} (DIN), the "Tigre" gave {{convert|50|hp|abbr=on}} (DIN). The engines are twin-cylinder air-cooled "boxer" types, mounted with the gearbox at the rear and the two exhausts at the front. Beginning in July 1960, the engines decreased in capacity to 848&nbsp;cc (to suit tax limits at 850&nbsp;cc in many markets), with power remaining as before. SAE horsepower claims were {{convert|50|hp|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|60|hp|abbr=on}}, respectively.

The front wheels are driven through a four-speed gearbox with column shift, with synchromesh on the upper three gears. Suspension at the front is provided by two transverse leaf springs, and at the back by three torsion bars each side.

The standard car weighs approximately {{convert|805|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, and the Tigre {{convert|830|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. This light weight combined with the car's streamlining (with a [[Physics:Automobile drag coefficient|coefficient of drag]] said to be Cd&nbsp;0.26) {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} allows for top speeds of {{convert|130|km/h|mi/h}} for standard sedans and {{convert|145|km/h|mi/h}} for the Tigre.

It is possible to remove the back bench to enlarge the already considerable luggage space to {{convert|527|L|cuft}}. This space was available from model year 1964, when the spare wheel was moved from beneath the luggage space to under the bonnet, where it fits around the air filter. This is possible because the wheels have no centre &mdash; that is formed by the finned aluminum brake drums.

==Sales==
The Panhard saloons produced after the Citroën take-over were not priced aggressively. In 1962, there were five different versions of the PL 17 offering {{cvt|42|hp-metric|kW|0}} or {{cvt|50|hp-metric|kW|0}} of maximum power and priced in France at between 6,990 and 8,240 francs for the standard sedan bodied versions.<ref name=Automobilia1962/> The similarly sized Simca Aronde came with power outputs ranging between {{cvt|42|hp-metric|kW|0}} and {{cvt|70|hp-metric|kW|0}}, priced between 6,340 and 7,450 francs.<ref name=Automobilia1962/> The Panhard was a little longer and a little wider, leaving dealers trying to explain why an 850&nbsp;cc Panhard should cost more than a 1300&nbsp;cc Simca.   Panhard connoisseurs, including many taxi owners, appreciated the PL 17's superior road holding and fuel economy, as well as the extra space afforded by the Panhard's greater cabin width.<ref name=Automobilia1962>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1962 (Salon Paris oct 1961)| volume = Nr. 19| pages = 37|year = 2001|publisher=Histoire & collections|location=Paris }}</ref> Less pleasing were the awkward gear box, still without synchromesh on the bottom ratio, and the steering which was heavy at low speeds.<ref name=Automobilia1962/> Performance, especially for the top of the range {{cvt|50|hp-metric|kW|0}} "PL 17 Tigre" was helped by the Panhard's lighter body, although the extent of Panhard's weight advantage had been reduced over the previous decade as aluminium had become more expensive and light metal panels had been substituted for some of the steel ones. Pricing issues may explain why PL 17 sales levels were too low to enable the model to reach the volumes of the Aronde.

The Break model (L9) was developed by Pan Auto in Trento, Italy, with the idea of assembling it locally.<ref name=QRFS466>{{citation | title = Le straniere montate in Italia | trans-title = The Italian-assembled foreigners | language = it | volume = 4: 1962-1963 | page = 66 | date = December 1962 | publication-date = May 2013 | journal = Galleria Ruoteclassiche | series = Le fuoriserie 1956-1970. Il meglio di Quattroruote | number = 57 | isbn = 9788872127704 | publisher = Editoriale Domus S.p.A. }}</ref> It sat on a longer wheelbase but was of the same overall length.<ref name=om20/> The original prototype received different front treatment of a more conventional design, with two large headlamps flanking a planar grille with horizontal ribbons.<ref name=QRFS466/> The taillights were borrowed from the contemporary [[Engineering:Fiat 1800 and 2100|Fiat 1800]].<ref name=ALutil/> Production ended up taking place in France, where it replaced the Cabriolet on the lines beginning in May 1963. The PL&nbsp;17 Break was built in small numbers, with 2,998 examples being produced overall.

Overall, around 166,000 PL 17s were built. Of these, 136,000 were regular-engined sedans, with an additional 23,500 sedans with the ''Tigre'' engine. 398 convertibles (it is unknown if this includes the 47 L3 cabriolets built for the US in 1960), 2,998 Breaks, and 3,191 ''Utilitaires'' (commercial models) were also built.<ref name=anciennes/>

A sporting two-door coupé with a fibreglass body on Dyna Z basis was built from 1956 by Arista as the Passy and later also Sport, with the Tigre engine. For 1963, a new design based on the PL 17, called the Arista JD (after its designer, Jacques Durand; it was also called the Arista Sport and Sport Spécial), appeared. While lighter and faster than a regular PL17, the rather expensive Arista did not find many buyers and only six examples were built.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.panhardclub.nl/wp-content/uploads/Club/Koerier/Koerier201.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220808214849/https://www.panhardclub.nl/wp-content/uploads/Club/Koerier/Koerier201.pdf | archive-date = 2022-08-08 | publisher = Panhard Automobiel Club NL | number = 201 | volume = 51 | magazine = Panhard Koerier | title = Aan boord van een… Arista Le Mans type A 130 van 1953 | trans-title = On board an... Arista Le Mans type A 130 from 1953 | page = 9 | first = Alain | last = Patrice | language = nl | date = 2019-01-12 }}</ref>

==Motor sport==
In 1961, a Panhard PL 17 won the Monte Carlo Rally.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport209104>{{cite journal| title =Rückblick: Französische Revolution vor 40 Jahren....| series = Heft| journal = Auto Motor u. Sport| volume = 4 2001| pages = Seite 170|date = 7 February 2001}}</ref> Evidence that this was no mere fluke came from the PL 17s that took second and third places, showing that a lightweight car with an 850&nbsp;cc engine could be more than a match for heavier cars with more muscular power units.

===Rally Victories===

:{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; "
! No.
! Event
! Year
! Driver
! Co-driver
|-
| 1
| {{Flagicon|Monaco}} 30ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo
| 1961
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} Maurice Martin
| {{Flagicon|FRA}} Roger Bateau
|-
|}

==Demise==
In 1955, Citroën had acquired a minority 25% interest in Panhard, and ten years later, in 1965, Panhard's automobile division was finally absorbed by Citroën:  the company ceased production of the PL 17 in the same year. The [[Engineering:Panhard 24|24 model]] carried the manufacturer's name for two years more, and from then only military transport was badged with the Panhard name, the military division being the part of the business still not owned by Citroën.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Panhard PL17 001.jpg|Panhard PL 17 Cabriolet
File:Panhard PL 17 Kombi 1963-1965.JPG|Panhard PL 17 Break
File:Lohéac Manoir de l'Automobile 019.jpg|Panhard F65 glazed van
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Panhard Pl 17}}
[[Category:Cars powered by boxer engines]]

{{Sourceattribution|Panhard PL 17}}