A Brief History of Team Panhard

After the Panhard successfully completed the 1994 London to Brighton Run, the then head of the Norfolk museums service, Catherine Wilson, asked one of the crew, Mike Vincent, to form a team of volunteers to maintain and run the car at various suitable events throughout the coming summer seasons.

Catherine Wilson and Mike Vincent in the front seat on the 1994 Brighton Run

As well as looking after the well-being of the Panhard, the Team was also given the task of fund-raising for the upkeep of the car, and to pay for its running expenses. Funds were raised by various methods, including shaking a collecting box under peoples' noses, attending summer events where the organisers felt they could contribute an appearance fee, and by soliciting sponsorship from various benefactors.

These contributions were and are very important. Over the years the car has needed a great deal of work. For the 1996 Centenary Commemorative London to Brighton Run funds had to be found for a complete engine overhaul. Even at that point work was still needed on the gearbox as only three of the four gears were usable!

The 1996 London to Brighton run

Thanks to the Team’s fund raising efforts and contributions from the Museum Service and Friends of both Norwich and Gressenhall Museums the car has been kept in working order. Some of the larger projects are detailed in the Maintenance pages.

Gradually the Team has improved the "garage" at Gressenhall where the Panhard is housed and is on show to the public. The garage is staffed by the volunteers on most Wednesdays throughout the season, and the car is driven out on many of the special events held at the 'Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse’.

Over the years the car has also taken part in three Creepy Crawly rallies in 2005, 2006 and 2009 (see Resources) and has attended local shows.

At the 2019 Norfolk Show

More recently, the Covid Pandemic, then a number of mechanical problems, have kept the car confined to local events at the Gressenhall Museum. The Team is hoping that following completion of repairs to the wheels in early 2024 the Panhard is capable of doing more.

The Team currently has four members with a variety of roles including engineers, archivist, website editor and photographer. We are always looking for new members who have an interest in old cars (engineering experience is not essential). If you are interested, please contact us at the Gressenhall Museum. (See Contact Details)