A rare beauty from France
This rare beauty, almost completely unknown outside of France and the Benelux countries, came to us from Luxembourg and eventually settled in the Czech Republic. The Panhard 24 BT is no ordinary French classic car, nor is it a car that can be easily categorized at every car meet. That's precisely what makes it so interesting. It is one of the last passenger cars produced by Panhard et Levassor, a brand that ranks among the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world.
This car was a 1964 Panhard 24 BT with an M8S engine. The BT isn't the short coupé, but the longer berline version, making it the more practical variant within the 24 series. Despite its size, it still appears low-slung, elegant, and technically distinct. Those familiar only with German or British classic cars often underestimate just how modern a Panhard 24 was in the mid-1960s.
Panhard 24 BT M8S with unusual features
The Panhard 24 was remarkably well-equipped for its time. A tachometer, ammeter, adjustable steering column, seats adjustable in several directions, a vanity mirror for the passenger, a very good ventilation system, and many other well-thought-out details demonstrate that Panhard was not building a simple budget model. The 848 cc twin-cylinder boxer engine with front-wheel drive was typical of Panhard: technically unique, lightweight, rev-happy, and unlike almost everything German manufacturers were offering at the time.
After several gradual takeovers by Citroën, Panhard's passenger car production ended in 1967. That same year, the Citroën DS, with its twin headlights behind glass, was launched. While this doesn't necessarily prove anything, the timing is striking. The Panhard 24, with its front end, lines, and technical independence, certainly appeared far more modern than its relative obscurity today would suggest.
Disastrous bodywork and missing parts
The bodywork was in catastrophic condition. The floor, sills, wheel arches, front, rear, doors, window frames, underbody, and many connection points showed precisely the kind of damage that makes a Panhard 24 restoration difficult. In addition, there were missing parts and components that, while present, were no longer usable.
With a Panhard, this is a serious problem. A Mercedes or Triumph restoration can often rely on a wide range of parts. It's different with the Panhard 24 BT. Many parts aren't simply available off the shelf. Lights, chrome, interior details, instruments, seals, body panels, and specialized technical parts have to be searched for, inspected, refurbished, or sourced through contacts within the Panhard community.
Originality before speed
The owner insisted on complete originality. That was the right thing to do, but it slowed down the project. The interior wasn't custom-made by us, but sourced in France as almost unused, original equipment. For a car like this Panhard 24 BT, that makes a big difference. A newly made interior might look neat, but it doesn't replace the effect of genuine original materials when found in good condition.
The paintwork was also faithfully recreated: white with a gray roof. This combination is rare and suits the BT's lines perfectly. It doesn't detract from the car's unique character, but rather emphasizes it. On a Panhard 24, the paintwork must not only be beautiful; it must complement the unusual shape without making the car appear too modern or generic.
Panhard spare parts and scene contacts
Without the owner's contacts in the French and German Panhard scene, this restoration would hardly have been possible in this form. This highlights a fundamental problem with many French classic cars: you need not only workshops, but also clubs, forums, language skills, patience, and people who know where parts are still lying around.
The work encompassed everything except the complete re-fitting of the interior: bodywork, paint, engine, gearbox, chassis, brakes, electrics, chrome, glazing, seals, and final assembly. From an incomplete and heavily damaged vehicle, a complete Panhard 24 BT was gradually restored.
H2: Returned to its owner after more than five years
After more than five years of restoration work, we were able to hand over the Panhard to its proud owner in Prague. With a project like this, it's not just the result that counts, but also the decision to maintain originality, even when it becomes slower and more complicated.
The Panhard 24 BT is not a car for collectors seeking easy parts availability and quick fixes. It demands research, patience, and a certain tolerance for French idiosyncrasies. In return, it rewards you with a design, engineering, and features that are all too rarely seen outside of France.
This restoration remains one of the best examples for us of why French classic cars deserve more attention. The Panhard 24 BT is rare, technically unique, and in this white and grey combination even more special. A rare beauty, but one that had to be hard-earned.
