7 replies to this topic

[William Hunt]

I stumbled upon these pictures of a strange looking DB Panhard 500 cm3 (F3) car that was raced by Elie Bayol:

http://panhard-racin...ads/BAYOL-4.jpg

http://panhard-racin...ads/BAYOL-3.jpg

http://panhard-racin...ads/BAYOL-7.jpg

http://panhard-racin...loads/BAYOL.jpg

 

http://panhard-racin...fr/?page_id=617

 

What's peculiar about it is the front of the car, why was it constructed this way?

[Tim Murray]

The DB used a flat-twin Dyna Panhard engine mounted ahead of (and driving) the front wheels. For more details, including a cutaway drawing, have a look at the DB page on the 500 Owners site (click on 'Marques', then 'Deutch Bonnet' (sic)).

http://www.500race.org

[Michael Ferner]

Why? Because, believe it or not, racing cars positively need motive power...

[f1steveuk]

Everytime I see one of those I think Citroen 2CV or Lomax kit car (more ore less the same thing!)

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

Nifty!  I was contemplating a thread on the wee French cars that participated at LeMans.  Being introduced to motorsport in 1961 and soon becoming a devote reader of Road & Track magazine, I enjoyed the articles from correspondent, Henry Manney III, where, in covering the endurance test, he would refer to the 'French tiddlers'.  I was far too young to pick up on the humorous inference.  ;)

[Ray Bell]

Check out pics of the 2-stroke triples which raced in FJr in the early sixties, they are even more desperately out of balance...

DKW and, I think, SAAB engines.

[Charlieman]

I'd like to see the DB next to an FWD Emeryson F3 car. How did they solve the same problem in different ways?

[Cavalier53]

This was simply the Panhard Dyna with the unnecessary bodywork/parts for F Junior removed, and cylinder capacity reduced to suit. To comply with Formula 1 regulations, a 750 cc version with compressor was built in 1955, with a lackluster career as a result.
 
You can find some info here http://www.doubledec...tag=rene-bonnet
 
Basically the PL17 my father owned from 1963 (rusted to a worthless condition just a few years later),

 

Jan.