Sold | Formerly the property of the late John Bolster 1902 Panhard et Levassor 7hp Twin-cylinder Rear-entrance Tonneau

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£322,000 (Est: £250,000 - £300,000)

Formerly the property of the late John Bolster 1902 Panhard et Levassor 7hp Twin-cylinder Rear-entrance Tonneau

United Kingdom • 31 Oct 2025

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This 1902 Panhard et Levassor, formerly owned by John Bolster, boasts a rich history including ownership by the Hon C S Rolls and extensive participation in the London-Brighton Run. Discovered after years of disuse and quickly restored, it's a veteran car with significant provenance and documentation.

Condition

6

The car was withdrawn from service in 1907 and remained in a coach house until 1919, then left in a garden under a tree until it was rediscovered in 1932. It was then restored in nine days for the 1934 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. This history suggests that while the car is functional, it likely has moderate wear and requires some reconditioning to maintain its condition.

/ 10

Transmission:

[Transmission]

Chassis No:

5830

Odometer:

[Odometer Reading]

Reg Number:

[Reg Number]

RHD/LHD:

RHD

• Purchased new in France by the Hon C S Rolls • Bodied at Rolls' works at Lillie Hall • Known ownership history • One of the most prolific of London-Brighton Run participants • Present ownership since circa 2003/2004 René Panhard was a qualified engineer whose business, based in Paris, made woodworking tools and built Deutz engines under license.

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

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

Both Daimler and Benz had made automobiles before Panhard, but these had been individual 'prototypes' rather than models intended for series production.

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...