9. Panhard 24 CT
Built from 1964 to 1967, the Panhard 24 CT married efficient engineering with strikingly futuristic styling. Panhard’s air-cooled 848 cc flat-twin engine produced about 50 horsepower, yet the car’s lightweight aluminum body (weighing under 800 kilograms) allowed sprightly performance. Its steeply raked wraparound windshield, subtle tail fins, and wraparound rear window created a jet-age aesthetic unmatched by contemporary rivals.
Front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes offered handling agility that belied the tiny powerplant. Cruising at highway speeds required high revs, but the Panhard’s minimalist simplicity and aerodynamic form made it feel like a concept car of the future. Today, the 24 CT’s quirky combination of design and efficiency defines French innovation.