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-THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE-
1926 Panhard Lame de Rasoir ( razor blade) 10 CV, a speed record car powered by a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder 70hp 65x107 1500cc engine, 2325mm wheelbase, 450mm wide and a track of 1200mm bodied in polished aluminium sheeting.
The 1926 Panhard Razor Bladeâaffectionately dubbed the âLame de Rasoirââstands as a striking chapter in automotive lore. Crafted by the visionary French automaker Panhard, this machine wasnât built merely to traverse roads; it was engineered to shatter speed records.
Its body, a masterful blend of polished aluminum and steel, hugged the contours of aerodynamic efficiency in a way that was nothing short of revolutionary for its era. Under the hood, a 1500cc engine powered this record-breaker to heights that once existed only in dreams.
It was an extraordinarily sharp design in more ways than one. The driving position was highly unconventional, with the driver more reclined than seated in this single-seater.
His head rested on a small cushion, and much of his forward view was obstructed by the bodyworkâso looking ahead must have involved occasionally leaning to the side. The steering wheel was another notable feature: large and spokeless, it encircled the driver at mid-torso.
Notably, the carâs suspension remains a subject of some uncertainty among historians. What is (somewhat) better established is that the car had no brakes on its wheelsâthis was an intentional omission, aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag and overall weight. A single drum brake is believed to have been mounted on the transmission, and only there.
Two versions of the Razor Blade were born, each meticulously designed for distinct racing classes. Beyond its raw speed, what truly set this car apart was its innovative engineering; the design itself was a calculated assault on air resistance.
The carâs striking bodyworkâcrafted from polished aluminium and mahoganyâwas designed by engineers Louis Bionier and Marius Breton. It was tailored specifically for Breton, who also served as its works driver. He achieved a fastest lap speed of 190.324 km/h at MontlhĂŠry, although this was with the slightly less sensational two-litre variantânot the distinctive 1.5-litre Razor Blade model.
The latter was reportedly designed to break the 240 km/h barrier, though it fell just short. Official timing recorded it averaging 223 km/h over five miles in October 1926.
Tragically, just days later, Breton crashed at high speed at Brooklands, the legendary racing circuit in Englandâa stark reminder of the perilous nature of pushing boundaries, and was killed instantly, aged 34.
The road in Issy-les-Moulineaux where the accident occurred still bears his name. Yet, the surviving model carried on, etching its legacy further into the annals of motor racing.
Today, the Razor Bladeâs story serves as a powerful testament to the pioneering spirit of early 20th-century automotive engineering. It showcased the potential unleashed when lightweight materials and potent powertrains converged, a formula that not only broke records but also solidified Panhardâs reputation as an innovator.
In its sleek lines and daring performances, the Razor Blade continues to inspire, embodying the relentless pursuit of speed and excellence that has propelled the automotive world forward for over a century.
Sources: panhard-racing-team.fr ; theautobuilder.com ; classicdriver.com ; prewarcar.com.
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