Panhard Dyna Junior
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Defunct | 1956 |
| Headquarters | Orléans , France |
| Products | Small sports automobile |
The Panhard Dyna Junior is a small sports automobile manufactured by Panhard between 1952 and 1956. Initially launched as a roadster and later introduced as a cabriolet, the total production exceeded 4,700 vehicles.
Development
In early 1951, Joseph Bell Ferguson, who operated Fergus Motors in New York—a company specializing in importing European vehicles including Panhards—proposed creating a compact sports car tailored for the American market. With Ferguson providing financial support, Panhard utilized the chassis and front-wheel-drive powertrain from the Panhard Dyna X to minimize both development expenses and time.
Panhard tasked carrosserie Di Rosa along with designer Albert Lemaitre to develop the bodywork. Primarily recognized for manufacturing trucks and buses, Di Rosa completed an aluminum-bodied prototype within months, featuring a single door on the driver's side and a foldable windshield. Following extensive modification requests from Jean Panhard and Ferguson’s subsequent withdrawal, a second prototype received approval, resulting in an initial order of ten pre-production cars.
Although the initial production goal was set at 500 units, rising demand prompted Panhard to increase output and switch from aluminum to steel bodies to reduce manufacturing costs—adding over in weight. The vehicle made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 1951, with sales commencing in early 1952. While initial assembly took place at Di Rosa’s workshop, production shifted to Panhard’s Orléans factory as demand outpaced capacity; Di Rosa eventually ceased operations.
The Dyna Junior showcased restrained styling featuring clean lines, minimal exterior embellishments, and suicide doors lacking external handles—accessed internally via latches reachable through sliding plastic windows. Rear cargo space was only accessible by folding down the two-seat bench backrest. Inside, instrumentation was simple, with a single centrally located speedometer dial and a dashboard-mounted gearshift lever similar to that found in the Dyna X.
Despite its modest , the Junior gained popularity among younger buyers due to its blend of performance, handling capabilities, fuel economy, and affordability.
Specifications and running changes
Throughout its production run, the Dyna Junior employed two variants of the Dyna X chassis. Early versions were built on the X86 chassis derived from the Dyna X 120, while later models utilized the X87 chassis from the Dyna X 130. This platform featured a wheelbase measuring and front and rear track widths of .
The front suspension consisted of independent upper and lower transverse leaf springs; at the rear was a rigid trailing axle equipped with a central pivot and torsion bars. Standard equipment included hydraulic Houdaille shock absorbers and drum brakes measuring nine inches on all wheels. Tires sized 145 × 400 were fitted both front and rear. Power was transmitted through a four-speed manual transaxle sourced from the Dyna X.
Propulsion came from Louis Delagarde’s air-cooled two-cylinder OHV boxer engine. Early models were powered by the GM750 SS3 engine delivering at 5,000 rpm, achieving . An optional GM750 Sprint engine variant produced at identical displacement.
In April 1952, an upgraded GM850 38 CV engine generating was introduced, increasing top speed to . The GM850 S 40 CV Sprint version delivering at 5,000 rpm was also offered as an option.
February 1953 marked the arrival of a cabriolet model featuring exterior door handles and wind-up glass windows replacing the roadster’s plastic sliding panels. The following month saw adoption of the X87 chassis along with introduction of a three-seat bench.
Design revisions in 1954 included replacing the Dyna X-style grille with a simpler oval opening incorporating an aluminum crossbar reminiscent of the Dyna Z, upgrading instrumentation to dual dials, and modifying bumpers in March. Production of smaller 745 cc engines ceased in June.
By 1955, an optional MAG supercharger raised output to 60 hp with a top speed reaching 145 km/h; however, the roadster variant was discontinued in March.
Manufacturing concluded in April 1956.
Model comparison
| Model | X 86 | X 86 Sprint | X 87 | X 87 Sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production period | August 1952 to June 1954 | February 1952 to June 1954 | August 1952 to April 1956 | August 1952 to April 1956 |
| Engine type | 2-cylinder, four-stroke boxer | 2-cylinder, four-stroke boxer | 2-cylinder, four-stroke boxer | 2-cylinder, four-stroke boxer |
| Engine displacement | 745 cc (45.5 cu in) | 745 cc (45.5 cu in) | 851 cc (51.9 cu in) | 851 cc (51.9 cu in) |
| Tax horsepower rating | 4 CV | 4 CV | 5 CV | 5 CV |
| Power output | 24 kW (32.2 hp) | 27 kW (36.2 hp) | 29 kW (38.9 hp) | 31 kW (42 hp)[convert: invalid option] |
Special editions
Both the Panhard Dyna X and Dyna Junior platforms were utilized for producing limited-run special models. Key examples derived from the Junior include:
- The coachbuilder Pichon-Parat crafted approximately thirty fixed-head coupés that closely mirrored the original Dyna Junior styling. Additionally, they developed a streamlined design known as the Dolomite, constructed on either Dyna X or Junior chassis, with production totaling about sixty units until 1956.
- The Panhard Rafale, designed by Carmétall and marketed through Dijon Tourisme, was a lightweight coupé featuring an alloy body mounted on a Dyna Junior chassis.
- American designer Howard "Dutch" Darrin was commissioned by US importer Robert Perreau to produce a singular custom-bodied Dyna Junior displayed at the 1953 Los Angeles Motor Show; this model did not proceed to mass production.
- Don Racine engineered and raced the "Aardvark," a cycle-fendered special based on the Junior platform, competing in SCCA events during the mid-1950s. After disappearing from public view, it was eventually restored.
- Some Devin Panhards incorporated components from the Dyna Junior subframe alongside its engine and transaxle, despite most being assembled on bespoke chassis.
- Swiss coachbuilder Ghia-Aigle produced a one-off alloy-bodied coupé on a Dyna Junior frame, which was exhibited at the 1954 Geneva Auto Show.
- Belgian coachbuilder Albert D'Ieteren unveiled a unique coupé-bodied Dyna Junior at the 1954 Brussels Auto Salon.
- Southern California’s Murry Nichols developed a series of Nichols Panhard specials utilizing engines and chassis sourced from Dyna Juniors.
- The Fairchild special, constructed by Jerry Fairchild with bodywork by Murry Nichols, featured a custom chassis incorporating the Dyna Junior engine block and suspension. Its powerplant underwent significant modifications including fuel injection, dual overhead cams, and occasionally a supercharger akin to those found in later Juniors.
Motorsports
- A Dyna Junior competed in the 1953 Tour de France Automobile, finishing in 14th place.
- Piloted by Georges Trouis and Jacques Blanchet, a Dyna Junior secured 22nd position in the 1953 Nürburgring 1000 km race.
- Throughout the late 1950s, multiple Dyna Juniors and specials derived from them took part in various European and American racing events.
- The Fairchild special achieved victories in the California Sports Car Club H-Modified Class within the Pacific Coast Championship during both 1958 and 1959, as well as attaining second place in SCCA H-Modified competition in 1958.