Author Topic: Solved - NEH 535: PMS Special Panhard-Alfa Barquette - late 1950's?  (Read 1441 times)

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Offline Carnut

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For 1 point what's this?
« Last Edit: May 19, 2010, 04:26:06 AM by Carnut »
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Offline woodinsight

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2010, 03:30:14 AM »
JPM Sports Special 1951 from France

Offline Carnut

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2010, 03:32:43 PM »
JPM Sports Special 1951 from France

You've won your point because you have correctly identified the car.
Before I move this to Solved however, would you like to add a bit more about it, i.e. what it was based on and what engine it used?
If you don't then I'll add it myself when I move it but you'll still get your point of course!
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Offline woodinsight

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2010, 07:03:03 PM »
Unfortunately I haven't found any further information on it at the moment. I look forward to learning more!

Offline Carnut

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2010, 05:57:52 AM »
Unfortunately I haven't found any further information on it at the moment. I look forward to learning more!

As a matter of fact I have to admit a mistake on my behalf here.
You haven't correctly identified the car yet as it's not called a JPM Special.  That'll teach me to answer you without consulting my files properly.
No wonder you couldn't find out any more details...

You're not too far off with your identification however so I'll lock it for you for 24 hours to find its correct name and perhaps a few more details, but if you can't do that then I'll have to open it up to all again.

My apologies.
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Offline Carnut

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2010, 06:44:18 AM »
This puzzle is open to all Rookies again now!
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Offline woodinsight

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2010, 02:06:44 PM »
I'm more than happy for others to solve it. Intrigued to know more about this car. Good luck!

Offline mtbo

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2010, 04:19:36 PM »
PMS ("Paul Ménissier Spéciale") / Panhard- Alfa Romeo, built on a Panhard Dyna-X modified chassis


 This very original racing barchetta is a survivor of the fifties/sixities, a very active and creative period for motor racing. The manufacturer is Paul Ménissier, a mechanic based in Drôme (South of France).


Paul Ménissier, was a Citroën agent and a pilot in the South of France. Ménissier is the man who designed and built this PMS-Panhard, with an audacious concept : the mid-engine front wheel drive, combining ideal weight balance with front-wheel directional power. Different engines have been used to power the prototype : an air-cooled engine first (Panhard or VW), then a twin-cam Alfa Romeo. Now, the car is fitted with a Ford 4-in line.


Powered by a twin-cam Alfa-Romeo engine it was built on a modified Panhard coupé chassis, and raced by Paul Ménissier himself, among other events, at the famous Course de Côte du Pin (picture).
The most original feature of the car is its mid-engine / front -wheel drive structure, probably unique in History. The chassis is a modified Panhard Dyna X, fitted with a more advanced rear suspension including spring coils. The front wheel train receives power from a transmission shaft running through the cockpit.

 Ménissier probably wished to put more the weight at the rear for a better balance, whilst retaining the front-wheel drive road-holding qualities of the Dyna-X. The mid-engine technology was really new at that time (Ferrari only moved from front-engine to rear-engine sports cars in 1963...). Matched with the front-wheel drive, the PMS is really revolutionary. In addition, the bodywork was designed following advanced aerodynamics conceptions, closely derived from racing Porsche spiders. The bodywork was eventually further refined with a longer front part (probably designed to generate more downward force), as well as rear "fins" not far from the contemporary state-of-the art cars.

The Ménissier has been raced two times at the hillclimb "Course de Côte du Pin", first in 1960 or 61, then in 1962 - see picture here below - with a bodywork that was still experimental...replaced with the one that we knwo today, probably in search of aerodynamic downforce on the front
« Last Edit: May 18, 2010, 04:39:22 PM by mtbo »

Offline Carnut

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Re: NEH 535
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2010, 04:22:19 AM »
Terrific comprehensive reply!
Here are a couple more pics; weren't you going to post some pics as well?
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Offline woodinsight

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Thank you "mtbo" - another intriguing mystery solved!

Offline mtbo

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Re: Solved - NEH 535: PMS Special Panhard-Alfa Barquette - late 1950's?
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2010, 09:56:54 AM »
Maybe just one more old picture.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

The Ménissier has been raced two times at the hillclimb "Course de Côte du Pin", first in 1960 or 61, then in 1962 - see picture here - with a bodywork that was still experimental...replaced with the one that we know today, probably in search of aerodynamic downforce on the front

Offline Djetset

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Re: Solved - NEH 535: PMS Special Panhard-Alfa Barquette - late 1950's?
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2010, 08:13:50 PM »
This car is currently on sale for 30,000 Euros at Autodrome in Cannes, South of France.
A car is for life, not just for Christmas.

Offline Carnut

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Re: Solved - NEH 535: PMS Special Panhard-Alfa Barquette - late 1950's?
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2010, 05:31:25 AM »
This car is currently on sale for 30,000 Euros at Autodrome in Cannes, South of France.

Needs work and someone either very brave or very rich?!
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars