PANHARD & LEVASSOR

Firma Panhard & Levassor contributed to the construction of the first French car in 1891 r. Behind the creation and history of the brand there are several people and events that deserve to be remembered.

Engine manufacturer Gottlieb Daimler had a representative in Paris, Gustav Sarazin, with whom he knew from his time, when he was director of the Deutz gas engine factory in Cologne, and Sarazin becomes the head of the Paris branch of the plant. Before his death, Sarazin handed over the trade to his wife, Luisa.

Luiza Sarazin, trying to continue the interests of the deceased husband, visited Daimler in Canstatt, to see your plans. The result of the visit was an agreement for the exclusive representation of Daimler in France for Mrs. Sarazin.

W 1889 r. Daimler sent its Stahlradwagen vehicle to the world exhibition in Paris, organized on the centenary of the French Revolution. The car became a sensation, and French companies started applying

for obtaining patents and licenses for its production. Mrs. Sarazin succeeded, which in turn offered all rights to Panhard & Levassor. After the end of the Paris exhibition, Emil Levassor and Rene Panhard began to produce cars of their own design with a Daimler engine. Only after a year and a half in May 1891 r. created the first car suitable for mass production..

E. Levassor realized this, that lasting commercial success also depends on his sports success and that is why he personally participated in races at the wheel of his cars. The course of the Paris - Marseille - Paris race in 1896. it was quite dramatic and ended in a serious accident for Levassor. The race was won by his associate Mayde on the Panhard car & Levassor.

Levassor has devoted a lot of effort to perfecting its design solutions. He was the initiator of placing the engine in the front of the vehicle, the creator of the gearbox with sliding gears, developed a new clutch and radiator. He introduced the steering wheel and was the first to use aluminum in the production of engines. Thanks to him, the car stopped resembling a horse-drawn carriage. He considered car racing the best test of design solutions. He died in 1897 r. following severe injuries, which he experienced during the Paris - Marseille - Paris races.

Half 1908 r. his partner and friend Rene Panhard died. At that time, the company was already at the forefront of the French automotive industry and sport, collecting success after success. During the first ten years of her sports activity she did 12 victories in international races. W 1908 r. has become one of the few European companies, which the American company Knight has licensed to produce a valveless spool engine.

Panhard & Levassor has survived as the oldest French car brand to 1965 r., then it merged with a stronger partner - Citroen.