1899 Panhard et Levassor Type M2F Wagonette

Lot details
Registration No: J 1899
Chassis No: 1510
Mot Expiry: None

After acquiring the French rights to the Daimler engine, Panhard et Levassor built their first motor vehicles in 1890-1891. All were either rear or mid-engined, as was the norm amongst pioneer constructors. In the spring if 1891, to improve their car's weight distribution, the company relocated the engine to the front of the chassis. A bonnet also provided the motor with better protection from the elements and the dusty conditions that were the norm in early motoring. This configuration, known as `Systeme Panhard' and truly innovative in the nineteenth century, has proved to be the accepted layout for the motor car ever since.
Indeed, during that last decade of the century, a time of rapid progress, the French company became synonymous with employing what, at the time, was cutting edge technology, producing what was then quite clearly `The Best Motor Car in the World'. Emile Levassor's famous victory in the 1895 Paris-Bordeaux-Paris road race really caught the public imagination and ensured that a Panhard was the choice of the aspiring motorist. As a result, sales-driven production climbed steadily and, by 1899, the year in which the car on offer here was produced, 461 Panhard et Levassors were made.
J 1899, which is recorded in the manufacturer's workbook 13 March 1899, has an interesting history. For it was `discovered' quite literally buried in an old textile factory in Angers, France, several years ago when the building was being demolished. Concealed in the space between the gable wall and a false inner wall were three very early motor cars; a Serpolet and a De Dion Bouton having shared this tomb with the car on offer for many years. Whilst the others ended up in the infamous Schlumph Museum, the Panhard was acquired in `as found' condition by a Swiss collector.
As presented today, the car is still fitted with its four/five seater Wagonette body, a small oval silver plate identifying the carriage maker's name as Driguet of Aine, Paris. The wooden bodywork was last professionally repainted in the current green with red coachlining in 1993 and there is a receipt detailing this refurbishment in the history file. The red-buttoned leather cushions were retrimmed in Switzerland many years ago.
The engine is a Daimler Phoenix vertical twin of the type introduced in 1895, engine number 1510 benefiting from the larger 90mm x 130mm bore and stroke and producing additional power as a result. The carburetor is correctly numbered 1510 and although the original hot tube ignition has been retained, it has been converted to use propane gas. The large central gearbox, again correctly numbered and incorporating the differential, provides three forward gears by chain-drive to the rear wheels.
>From 1896, Levassor began to modernise the chassis and this car benefits from having some of these `new' modifications, including a new fangled steering wheel as well as improved cooling - for, from 1897, a rear-mounted grilled tube radiator was fitted instead of merely having a water tank.
The wheels are fitted with solid rubber tyres and there is a transmission brake, a wind-handle on the driver's seat actuating cart-type spoon brakes providing further braking. Braking can be further assisted, of course, by decompressing one or both engine cylinders, whilst, in an emergency, a pointed `sprog' brake can be deployed to dig into the ground!
There are few known survivors of the M2F Panhard; one is exhibited in the Hull Museum, another came up at auction - but that was several years ago. The vehicle in question had 2-seater phaeton bodywork and, lacking burner box, water tank and needing some work to the exhaust system, it still raised £144,000!
Examples of Victorian cars like this rarely appear on the market. In receipt of a freshly reissued Veteran Car Club of Great Britain Dating Certificate confirming that it "was originally constructed or assembled in 1899", this example provides the successful bidder with an opportunity to acquire a powerful and commodious VCC Class I motor car which would be guaranteed an early start on the London to Brighton. Once the knack of gearchanging is quickly mastered, 10 to 12mph should be possible on the Brighton Road - although it is recommended that, prior to use, the car be recommissioned by a knowledgeable specialist. This is an unrepeatable opportunity to land a very early Vet.
PLEASE NOTE: In our 'flyer' we stated that Mr. Bill Ellam would have recommissioned this vehicle prior to the sale. This, due to his time constraints, has been impossible for which we are heartily sorry.