This Site is about the 1899 Panhard et Levassor car that is owned by the Norfolk Museums & Archaeological Service and kept at the 'Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse' Museum of Norfolk Life at Gressenhall, just north of East Dereham in Norfolk, England. This is, we believe, the oldest working car in Norfolk.
The aim of this Site is to tell you about the car and Team Panhard, give you a little background information on the vehicle, how it works, and what events we have attended and shall be attending. For those of you requiring more information about the history of the car, or other technical data, there is a booklet available entitled “The Story of C.S. Rolls’ 8h.p. 1899 Panhard et Levassor” by Barré Funnell, available by post from Mr. B. Funnell at "Miradouro", Bungay Road, Poringland, Norfolk, NR14 7NB (cost £5.45 incl. p&p) or visitors to the 'Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse'. Also read the script of the talk given by Phil Waltham to the Norwich Engineering Society in April 2011 which provides a good background to the car, as well as Phil Waltham's description on driving the car.
Items of note
Current Situation (as at October 2020)
The little Panhard is currently laid up because of the Covid crisis. We have a concern with the tyres which we keep up to pressure with our workshop compressor.The engine has not been run since March but Jos does prime oil into the bores and turns the crank when he checks the tyres. My own concern is with the exhaust valves and guides. Added to this those exhaust valves which are held open by the camshaft and may be admitting damp air from the motor house into the cylinder bores concerned. Jos has primed the cylinders with oil when he has visited the car as a protective for them.
The other working parts of the car such as brakes and transmission system continue to stand until we can run the car again.
The team has met twice through Zoom and discussed progress of the current web site and what our future moves may be. Kevin has agreed to keep the Web Site open for a further twelve months and changes will be considered in the coming year.
Phil Waltham, Team Leader
Please note that the full-page pictures (accessed by clicking on the small pictures when a hand appears) might take up to a minute to download if you are not on Broadband (assuming a modem speed of 56kbps)