Panhard & Levassor: The First Automobile Era
This book is a comprehensive historical and technical study of Panhard & Levassor — the world’s first automobile manufacturer and one of the most influential engineering firms of the Brass Era.
Based on extensive archival research, the book draws upon original factory documents, period technical literature, contemporary newspapers and specialist journals from France, Great Britain, and the United States. Particular attention is given to primary sources from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, allowing the development of the automobile to be examined through the eyes of its own time.
The volume combines historical narrative with detailed technical analysis. Engines, chassis design, transmission systems, cooling, ignition, and manufacturing practices are examined in depth, placing Panhard & Levassor at the center of early automotive innovation. The work also explores the company’s role in international competition, endurance trials, and the formative years of motor racing.
Illustrated with hundreds of period photographs, factory drawings, and contemporary engravings, the book is further enriched by original photographs taken by the author in European museums and private collections. These modern images document surviving vehicles and mechanical details rarely reproduced in print.
Written for historians, collectors, engineers, and serious enthusiasts, this volume offers an authoritative account of the origins of the modern automobile and the decisive role played by Panhard & Levassor in shaping automotive engineering worldwide.