1902 Clement Panhard BS8010 vis a vis
Chassis number: B15010A
Car Number: 577
Registration number: BS8010
Engine number: B15010A 462
Body Number: 235
Residing in a private collection for decades, this delightful little Clement Panhard is a rare late production survivor numbering less than 10 known in existence from the 500 or so examples produced between 1989 & 1902. It has carried the current owner & various family members from London to Brighton on a variety of occasions. The contraption is currently being serviced & will be sold in good working order.
The car is easy to start after floodng the Carburettor & setting the various controls to their requisite positions prior to engaging the rear mounted crank handle. No fear of sticking valve as it is mechanically driven rather then of the atmospheric variety. In third gear around 25 MPH is attainable for the fool-hardy or criminally insane. Those of us more aware of our mortailty would do well to stick to 15MPH cruising with occasional forrays up to 20MPH on long clear straights where no serious braking is required. Ignition is by reliable trembler coil.
Prior to the current long term ownership the car resided in a Dutch car museum accounting for its excellent state of preservation over the last 6 or so decades. A large file of bills & photographs comes with car along with assorted London to Brighton finishers plaques.
A divided oil tank is fitted to the rear of the car with a pair of oilers going to the engine. The fuel tank is located under the front seat. Many substantial invoices come with the car mostly from the renowned late veteran engineer Arthur Archer formerly of Great Dunmow Essex who maintained the car & manufactured assorted new gears for the car etc putting it in tip top order without regard to expense. The car ascends hills quite well in first & second gears although you are unlikely to overtake anyone whilst doing so.
Lighting is by very period looking flickering candle lit carriage lamps. A french horn style horn alerts other road users to your impending arrival. A second bulb type horn is fitted for use by the passenger should the driver be too engaged in manipulating the controls to use the one on his side. A single period lamp dimly glows red to the rear by way of a cursory nod to 19th century ideas on health & safety. The car is a delight to drive & is well suited to short summer sojourns to ones local watering hole in addition to being an early starter on "The Run."
