This is a Panhard PL 17. These were produced in France from 1959 through 1965. The “PL” stands for the original full name of the manufacturer, Panhard et Levassor. There is a complex formula explaining how the “17” came about. It is the sum of 5 plus 6 plus 6. So damn what, you say? Well 5 is derived from 5 CV (wacky French power rating), the first 6 refers to its six seats, and the second 6 refers to a fuel economy rating of 6 liters per 100 kilometers. Now the derivation of the Olds 442 name seems remarkably simple, doesn’t it?
The engine is an air-cooled, twin cylinder “boxer” displacing 851cc. The base model produces 42 hp, but as denoted by the badge above this example is a “Tigre” model which produces a whopping 50hp! The car weighs in at just above 1,800 lbs, so while anemic it allegedly can reach speeds of just over 80 mph!
The rear end is odd, but not by French standards.
The interior is fantastic in a 1950s sci-fi kind of way. Isn’t this exactly what you assumed the controls to George Jetson’s car looked like? The interior, however, is not the coolest thing about this car. Not by a long shot. How about…
…front suicide doors!!! -MG