Panhard leads Bonhams’ London to Brighton sale

Bonhams’ London to Brighton auction featured a 1903 Panhard et Levassor Model B.

It was one of several classics from the early years of the motor car to cross the block on November 3.

1903 Panhard Bonhams

Panhard et Levassor was a French luxury car manufacturer founded in 1887

Maker Panhard et Levassor, established 1887, was one of France’s most esteemed luxury car manufacturers.

It remained so until it was acquired by Citroen in 1967. 

This model features a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, which could push it to speeds of around 30mph.

It proved a very successful competitor at races across Europe, winning a string of events.

The history of the present lot is murky at best. Nothing is really known of it before 1952, when it was discovered in poor condition at a workshop in Barnsley, UK.

It was rebuilt, restored and entered into various rallies and concours in the UK throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

It made a big splash at auction, achieving £326,666 ($428,169).

An 1896 Salvesen steam cart pulled in £158,300 ($207,487).

The one-of-a-kind car was built by Christian Salvesen, a Norwegian industrialist based in Scotland.

The lot last sold for £69,000 ($91,345) at Bonhams in 2004, resulting in growth of 6.1% per annum in the intervening years.

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