1960 Panhard HBR 4 Le Mans Prototype
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The Panhard HBR 4 Le Mans Prototype 1960 is a unique and rare car that was produced by the French automaker, Panhard et Levassor. This car is considered as one of the most technologically advanced vehicles of its era due to several innovative features incorporated within its design. The HBR 4 was built specifically for endurance racing, particularly for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
One of the most notable technical features of the Panhard HBR 4 is its lightweight construction. The body of the car is made from fiberglass, which gives it an incredibly low weight of only 550 kilograms. This makes the car incredibly agile and allows it to accelerate quickly while remaining easy to handle at high speeds.
The HBR 4 is powered by a four-cylinder, air-cooled flat-twin engine that produces 68 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. This engine is coupled with a four-speed manual gearbox and offers a top speed of 180 km/h. The engine is mounted transversely at the rear of the car, which provides a better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity than other cars of its time.
In addition to its lightweight construction and innovative engine design, the HBR 4 is also notable for its advanced suspension system. The car features a unique torsion bar suspension system that provides excellent handling and stability at high speeds. The front suspension is a rubber cone-type design, while the rear suspension is a leaf spring arrangement.
Another technical feature of the Panhard HBR 4 is its aerodynamic design. The car has a unique, streamlined body that was designed to minimize drag and reduce wind resistance at high speeds. This, coupled with the lightweight construction, provides excellent handling and acceleration.
Overall, the Panhard HBR 4 Le Mans Prototype 1960 is a rare and remarkable car that stands out for its technical innovations and unique design features. With its lightweight construction, advanced engine design, innovative suspension system, and streamlined body, the HBR 4 remains a celebrated icon of endurance racing to this day.
Milestones
- First unveiled in 1958 as a prototype, but official production started in 1959 - Equipped with a lightweight, aerodynamic body made of fiberglass to reduce weight and increase speed - Powered by a 848cc flat-twin engine capable of producing 60 horsepower and top speeds of up to 130 mph - Participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1960 with three factory-backed cars, finishing in 11th, 16th, and 21st place - In the same year, the Panhard HBR 4 won its class in the Coupe des Alpes rally, showcasing its durability and handling capabilities on mountain roads - The car's innovative suspension system, featuring torsion bars and coil springs, was praised as one of its key strengths - Despite its relative success in endurance racing, the Panhard HBR platform was eventually retired from competition due to increasing competition from faster, more powerful machines - Nevertheless, the HBR 4 remains a beloved classic among racing enthusiasts and collectors, thanks to its unique design, advanced engineering, and iconic Le Mans heritage.Technical
- Manufacturer: Panhard - Model: HBR 4 Le Mans Prototype 1960 - Production Year: 1960 - Body Type: Open-top coupe - Engine Type: Rear-mounted, air-cooled, flat-twin engine - Engine Size: 848cc - Horsepower: 60hp - Transmission: 4-speed manual gearbox - Suspension: Independent front and rear suspension - Brakes: Disc brakes on all four wheels - Wheels: Steel rims with hub caps - Tires: Front: 125 R15; Rear: 135 R15 - Dimensions: 3,740 mm (length) x 1,440 mm (width) x 1,155 mm (height) - Weight: 565 kg - Top Speed: 170 km/h (105 mph) - Racing Career: Competed in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing in 17th place overall and 2nd in its class
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