René Panhard was an engineer whose business, based in Paris, made woodworking tools and built engines under license.

With his partner, Émile Levassor, he experimented with horseless carriages using engines licensed from Daimler.

In 1891, Panhard-Levassor offered for sale what was arguably the world's first production car, using a Daimler engine.

Above all, the firm was responsible for bequeathing the automobile world the Système Panhard, which embodied the now familiar layout of a front-mounted engine driving the rear axle via a clutch, gearbox and differential.

The modern motor car had been born.

Panhard-Levassor swiftly established a reputation for fine engineering, excellent craftsmanship, superior reliability and outstanding performance, qualities that placed the company at the forefront in early motor sport, notably the great Continental city-to-city races of the time.

Little wonder therefore that such notables and sportsmen as the Hon C S Rolls, Chev R de Knyff, Maurice Far...