Panhard and Levassor 4HP 1894
in ,

Stories of the oldest car that has circulated in Spain, possibly

We have received a series of stories about what is possibly the oldest car -that is, from a year further away- that has circulated in Spain. It is a Panhard et Levassor with a Phaeton Toneau body.

When it comes to the history of the automobile, talking about the first, the oldest, the only one, or any statement of this type, is always dangerous. It is advisable to take extreme precautions so as not to screw up. Hence, when talking about the oldest car that has circulated in Spain, we prefer to accompany the sentence of a possibly.

To know this story, we are going to transcribe here the story of one of the protagonists of the adventures of this Panhard and Levassor of the heroic age, with which the RACE He participated in the London to Brighton 1957. It is Angel Bartholomew, the kid who poses next to the car in the photo that accompanies this article.

OF IT ALL.

Panhard et Levassor Catalog 1892
Panhard et Levassor catalog of 1892.

We are talking about a Panhard et Levassor, which could be from a year between 1892 and 1895, the question would be a matter of establishing his true age. According to the documentation that we know of, it would be from 1894 or 1895. This model named Phaeton Toneau, have a 4 HP Daimler engine, 2 cylinders in a V at 45º, exhaust valves actuated by camshaft and intake valves, flat “swine” valves that act by depression.

El originally lit by oil burners (in the photo you can see the oil tank, shining between the two lanterns), and platinum bars as spark plugs. These entered the combustion chamber, heated by the lighters, something that was possible in part due to the low octane content of gasoline. This system was very problematic, the extinguishing of a lighter by the action of the air, left the engine in one cylinder... The ignition -the lighters and the platinum bars were missing- was very ingeniously replaced by two cams that activated two platinums and by means of two high-speed coils, which They transmit the current to the modern spark plugs that we fit into the holes of the bars, enlarging these and threading them to the size of the spark plugs, (14 mm I think).

Details Panhard et Levassor 4HP 1894
Details of the participation in the London-Brighton. It is stated in them that it is the oldest car in Spain, year 1894 or 95 depending on the place.

All this with great care and using consistent grease to prevent filings from falling into the combustion chamber. This process and its realization I carry out Maximo Casarrubios, "Maxi", which as always attended "in the band." ran the winter 1956.

IMAGES

The first photograph, where I appear, was "stopped" by a journalist who came to visit us. Belonging to a parade organized by the RACE in the month of May 1957 through the streets of Madrid, Salamanca, Retiro, Alcalá, etc. The snapshot is taken at the end of the walk on Calle de Alcalá back to the workshop. Only our cars participated, I don't remember the number (possibly the seven that could roll).

Panhard and Levassor 4HP 1894
Ángel Bartolomé at the controls of the car through the streets of Madrid in May 1957.

As was natural, for this event, they invited some of the greatest motorsports of the time. I don't remember all the names, but one was polo villaamil and there were also members of the Los Lobos and Madrid teams, and some "provost" of the RACE.

Anecdotes: a man who dared to wear the Panhard et Levassor, after spending the day before training him inside and outside the workshop, a wheel got stuck in the tram rail. Angelito had to go get it out twice and, on the second time, he jumped out of the car and left it right there, without the parking brake and without further restraint. "Maxi" was close and he was able to control it and finish the rally.

PREPARATIONS

This car still has more history. In the month of May '57, Registration was already being prepared for the London-Brighton rally, to travel at the beginning of November. "Maxi" advised me to get my passport because at that time it might not be possible to leave Spain. The reason was very simple I had a very old taxi, a Renault from the 20s, which his brother the sergeant worked on his days off and “Maxi” at night. He hoped that before the end of the year, they would have to sign the concession for a new taxi, so they would have to be present, since there were different options in terms of brands. We are talking about Citroën 11 or 15, Renault Fregate, SEAT 1.400 A, Peugeot 203, Austin and some more. Therefore, his presence was essential in the case of being summoned.

London Brighton Program 1957
Cover of the London-Brighton program of 1957.

The month of November arrived, we took the Panhard et Levassor to the Las Delicias station and there they nailed him with planks to the floor of a train carriage that would take him to London. After a discussion with Gregorio Prendes (it was not the first, nor would it be the last), it was decided that I would be part of the expedition, although without officially appearing, as always. The reason was none other than, if "Maxi" had to return to Spain, as it did, the car could not be left without a mechanic to attend to it.

Faced with the prospect of having to get their hands dirty and eventually not being able to attend a reception, Mr. Prendes agreed. Of course, on the condition that in the car I was wearing a cap and glasses, and, in addition, that I made myself as opaque as possible (I was already used to it).

THE LONDON-BRIGHTON OF 1957

The arrival in London was a bit "funny", because when going through customs it turned out that the Panhard et Levassor could not circulate without a license plate. Mr. Prendes almost had a stroke just thinking that we would have to do the tour in a trailer. Fortunately, he was fluent in English and they explained to him that registering the car was a matter of a few minutes. So it was, after filling out some paperwork, a guard appeared with a license plate, we put it on… and circulate.
In the second photo, we see Gregorio Prendes recently arrived in Madrid, with #1 given to us for being the oldest vehicle and the English license plate. Also with a “DON QUIXOTE” that “someone”, nobody knows who, wrote Prendes and Maxi didn't think it was bad. The photo is in the Retiro Park.

Panhard et Levassor 4HP 1894 Retiro Park
Ángel Bartolomé poses with the car after the test. Note the English license plate, the number 1 and the Don Quixote inscription.

A few days ago I read a review about London-Brighton. It made reference to the beginnings of motoring in the United Kingdom, when it was mandatory, by law, that "those cars as noisy as dangerous", were preceded by a servant in a red cap. In addition, they were ringing a bell or announcing their arrival with a lantern at night. She filled my chest with pride when she remembered that the on November 4, 1957. With all the theatricality that the English give to their acts, the servant with his cap, his bell and his lantern was represented for the last time, considering that law repealed, which was still in force! And I was there. Did you know this detail? Well, I give it to you.

EPILOGUE

Here ends the transcription, for the moment, of the adventures of this Panhard et Levassor who It is possibly the oldest car that has rolled on our roads. We will return to him soon, because in line with this article, we have investigated his career and discovered that the unit still exists, although it is no longer in Spain.

Panhard et Levassor models 1892
Bodyworks that Panhard et Levassor offered in 1892.

Photographs: Ángel Bartolomé, Old Car Manuals y Veteran Car Run.

What do you think?

avatar photo

Written by sergio romagosa

Sergio Romagosa designed in 1988 the first special Spanish insurance for classic and vintage vehicles. Likewise, in 1996 he founded "La Escudería", the first Hispanic portal for lovers of historic vehicles. He made his hobby his profession, and in his garage we can find from a Lancia Gamma Coupé to a Morgan Three Wheeler. A recalcitrant optimist, for him our precious pots are a cultural heritage that must be preserved and defended as such.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Once a month in your mail.

Thanks a lot! Do not forget to confirm your subscription through the email that we have just sent you.

Something has gone wrong. Please try again.

60.2 kHappy fans
2.1 kFollowers
3.4 kFollowers
3.8 kFollowers