Meow! Panhard Le Zebre appeared much too soon before the time it should be

It's GONE - Welcome to the world of unique vehicles. This is exactly how one might feel when first laying eyes on the Panhard Le Zebre, a car that stands out as both eccentric and fascinating. Its unusual design captures attention immediately, almost as if it has arrived from a future that never was, ahead of its time in ways we can still admire today.

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre was a collaboration result of the French sculptor Jean-Pierre Darnat and silversmith/designer Serge Mouille for Pierre Pothier. (Picture from: Flickr.com)

Created by two visionary French designers, Jean-Pierre Darnat, a sculptor, and Serge Mouille, a silversmith known for his elegant lighting designs, the Panhard Le Zebre started as a humble 1953 Panhard X87. This small, modest car was manufactured by the French automaker Panhard between 1952 and 1956, but what Darnat and Mouille crafted from it was anything but ordinary.

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre posed with Pierre Pothier, the car owner at the Paris district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. (Picture from: Reddit.com)

The bodywork of the Panhard Le Zebre was painstakingly handmade from Duralinox, a special lightweight alloy of aluminum and magnesium. This material not only gave the car its sleek and futuristic appearance but also contributed to its lightweight structure. While there is no confirmed information on what exactly inspired its unique design, many speculate that the world of aviation played a significant role, given how popular airplane aesthetics were in the 1950s.

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre's upper construction included its wraparound windshields which is very similar to the one on the jet fighter. (Picture from: Coachbuild)

One glance at the car makes it clear—there is something unmistakably aircraft-like about it. The wraparound windshield, for instance, is highly reminiscent of jet fighters, wrapping the driver in a similar bubble of glass. The roof, too, adds to this illusion, as it features small gullwing doors that open upward, much like a fighter jet's cockpit.

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre built based on the Panhard X87 and made of the duralinox, an alloy of aluminum and magnesium. (Picture from: Customrodder)

The car’s design flows seamlessly from front to back. The front end is adorned with headlights and a grille, flanked by small lights housed in metal casings, giving it a purposeful yet stylish look. Above the hood, a large scoop grabs attention, though whether it serves a functional role or is merely an aesthetic addition remains unclear.

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre seem functioned as show car and parked somewhere with the front hood are the writing of "Je ne prête mes yeux qu'a Marchal". (Picture from: Automania.be)

When viewed from the side, the car’s design reveals more of its striking features. Large niches around the front wheels draw the eye, and the unusual fender lines around the rear are hard to miss. It's in this rear area that the car's most distinctive feature lies: the design tapers off into a shape that resembles the tail of a stingray, a form that would later influence the design of modern fighter jets.

Unfortunately, very little is known about the car’s engine or mechanical upgrades. It’s believed that the drivetrain remained unchanged, continuing to use the original engine from the Panhard X87. This would have been a 745 cc air-cooled, 2-cylinder boxer engine, producing about 34.5 horsepower, transmitted to the front wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission.

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre seem functioned as show car and parked somewhere with the body was full advertisements of the 'Marchal' sparkplugs. (Picture from: Automania.be)

As with many custom cars of its kind, the fate of the Panhard Le Zebre remains something of a mystery. The original owner, Pierre Pothier, seemed to have used the car for promotional purposes at one point, as there are historical photos showing the vehicle covered in advertisements for 'Marchal' spark plugs, with the words "Je ne prête mes yeux qu'a Marchal" written on the front hood. This suggests the car may have been a showpiece to promote automotive products, though the exact purpose is unclear. Meow!😺

The 1953 Panhard Le Zebre seem functioned as show car and parked somewhere with the body was full advertisements of the 'Marchal' sparkplugs. (Picture from: Automania.be)

There are rumors that the car was eventually sold and taken to Tahiti, though no one has been able to verify this information. A relative of the original designer once commented online, estimating that the vehicle might still be there today, hidden away on the island. However, its exact location and current status remain unknown, adding to the intrigue and mystery surrounding this one-of-a-kind creation.😿Since no videos are available about this car, here’s a video about its donor model, the Panhard X87.

Though the Panhard Le Zebre may be lost to time, its legacy endures as a symbol of creativity and bold design. Its unusual form, aviation-inspired features, and handcrafted body make it a car like no other. If you have any further information about this unique vehicle or happen to know where it might be today, feel free to share your insights. Perhaps one day, this extraordinary vehicle will resurface, ready to amaze the world once again with its unparalleled design and charm. Or might be You are willing to see another weird car such the Aurora? *** [EKA [27022021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FLICKR | CUSTOMRODDER | REDDIT | COACHBUILD | AUTOMANIA ]

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