René Panhard and Émile Levassor built their first cars, a series of four identical models, in Paris during1891. Other models followed in rapid succession, giving Panhard & Levassor the claim as first in continuous production, as opposed to the Germans Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, whose early efforts came in fits and starts. With fellow countrymen Peugeot, Serpollet and De Dion, Panhard & Levassor constituted the world's earliest automobile industry, and France gave the name "automobile" to the new vehicle by combining Greek and Latin roots.

An early adherent to the front-engine, rear-drive configuration, Panhard was acknowledged by the name Système Panhard given to the layout, although another important ingredient, shaft-drive, was not universally adopted by the company until 1913. Panhard & Levassor were also pioneers in wheel steering (1896) and tubed radiators (1897). Production of Panhard automobiles grew rapidly, topping 1,000 in 1902 when American automakers were still struggling to stay in business. Panhard & Levassor were among the first motor sport competitors, entering cars in the Paris races as early as 1894 and continuing each year of the series and the Gordon Bennett races which followed. The cars did not always win, but were always a force to be reckoned with.

As the automobile gained traction in France, Panhard kept innovating. The firm adopted sleeve valves for some models in 1910, the same year that the name of Levassor, who had died after an 1897 racing accident, was dropped from the cars. By 1924, all models had four-wheel brakes. In the 1930s, Panhard bodies became aerodynamic, with rounded contours and curved glass in the windshield pillars. This reached its zenith in the Dynamic model of 1936, with baroque styling, backbone chassis, torsion bar suspension and an unusual riving position slightly right of center. This provided the desired agility in all types of traffic, but was abandoned because it required the driver to slide across the seat for entry and exit, regardless of whether there were additional passengers.

The winner of several awards while it was in Europe, this Panhard Dynamic has been driven only 1,500 kilometers since a sympathetic amateur restoration to a good standard. Painted in claret on ivory, it is nicely complimented by a tan wool interior. In 1997, it was honored at Poitiers Élégance Automobiles, a vintage car rally in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France, and in 1998 at Concours d'Elegance d'Automobiles Sarlat in Dordogne. The following year it received accolades at Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême.

The French built Dynamic is not only a pre war technological wonder it is an Art Deco masterpiece. The overall design is notably eccentric and these cars have always been love it, hate it or even perhaps I don't get it for most viewers. That said no one can deny that the car's embellishments and details are the height of Art Deco style and cannot pass unnoticed, so will ensure that its new owner is always the center of attention.