This 1965 Panhard 24 CT in miniature captures all the elegance of this revolutionary French saloon in a collectible 1/24th scale. This faithful reproduction showcases the technical innovation and avant-garde design that defined the output of the Avenue d'Ivry factory in the 1960s.
A true collector's piece, this miniature is an essential addition for enthusiasts of French automobiles and lovers of quality scale models. It perfectly reflects Panhard's innovative spirit during this pivotal period in automotive history.
## Miniature specifications
- Model: Panhard 24 CT
- Make: Panhard
- Year: 1965
- Scale: 1/24th
- Colour: Grey
- Protective case included: Yes
## About the real car
Launched in 1963, the Panhard 24 was the culmination of decades of technical innovation by the French marque. This revolutionary saloon featured a monocoque aluminium body, a first in its category, combined with a resolutely modern design by Louis Bionier. The 1965 CT (Confort Tourisme) version benefited from substantial improvements over the early series.
Under its bonnet sat the famous air-cooled twin-cylinder engine of 848 cc, producing 50 horsepower thanks to its two Weber carburettors. This unconventional powerplant, inherited from Panhard's aeronautical experience, gave the 24 CT surprising performance despite its modest capacity, with a top speed approaching 140 km/h.
The Panhard 24 CT earned a respectable reputation among discerning buyers, won over by its technical innovations and exceptional driving comfort. Production ran until 1967, marking the end of an era for this century-old marque before its takeover by Citroën.
## History of the Panhard marque
In 1965, Panhard was going through a critical transition in its century-long history. Founded in 1891 by René Panhard and Émile Levassor, pioneers of the French motor industry, the company had maintained its reputation as a technical innovator despite the mounting financial difficulties of the 1960s.
From the 1920s onwards, Panhard had forged a distinctive identity around the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, an original technical solution that set its cars apart from the competition. This specialisation, born of the company's aeronautical expertise, allowed it to offer light, economical and capable vehicles, especially prized by connoisseurs and rally competitors.
Yet 1965 also marked the swan song of Panhard as an independent car manufacturer. Despite the acknowledged quality of its models such as the 24 CT, the marque could no longer compete commercially with the major manufacturers. The takeover by Citroën in 1967 would bring this exceptional automotive chapter to a close, with Panhard refocusing permanently on military vehicles.
French elegance facing market challenges
The 1965 Panhard 24 CT perfectly embodies the paradoxes of the French car industry in the 1960s. While France was enjoying the Trente Glorieuses and car ownership was spreading rapidly, this sophisticated saloon was aimed at connoisseurs willing to pay for technical innovation.
A telling anecdote concerned the road tests of the day: motoring journalists never failed to note the astonishment of mechanics discovering the 24 CT's engine. This air-cooled twin, mounted at the front but without a radiator, unsettled garage workers accustomed to conventional powerplants. Yet its reliability and frugality made it a major asset for knowledgeable owners.
The 24 CT was particularly at home on the touring rallies of the era, where its rigid chassis and exemplary roadholding allowed it to hold its own against far more powerful cars. This sporting reputation added to the marque's prestige, even though sales volumes remained modest compared with the mass-produced cars of the big French manufacturers.
Today, this 1965 Panhard 24 CT stands as a symbol of French automotive excellence, the kind that favoured technical innovation and refinement over mass production. Its current rarity makes it a valuable witness to an era when French carmakers still dared to take original paths.
## Complete your French miniatures collection
This Panhard 24 CT fits naturally into a collection dedicated to French miniature cars from the 1960s. It sits perfectly alongside other models from that golden decade of French motoring, notably the Citroën range, the make that succeeded Panhard.
Collectors passionate about this era will enjoy pairing it with miniatures from the 1960s, a pivotal period when French industry still combined technical innovation with limited production runs. The 1/24th scale lets you appreciate the fine details of this distinctive body.
This miniature is aimed primarily at experienced collectors and enthusiasts of French automotive history, keen to preserve the memory of these vanished marques that contributed to the technical reputation of France. It also has its place in thematic collections devoted to innovative saloons and classics from 1950 to 1979.
