Panhard et Levassor

Panhard et Levassor  was established by René Panhard, Edouard Sarazin and Emile Levassor in 1887. The first Panhard Lavassor was built in 1891. They were one-off design cars, technically very advanced, being the first cars to be equipped with front engine, driven rear wheels  and midships transmission (The Panhard system). Panhard automobile company also invented the Panhard rod (a rigid bar, usually in steel, used in automobile suspension systems that provides lateral location of the axle). Panhards endurance was proved in 1895 when they came in first and second in the Rally Paris-Bordeaux-Paris. From then to 1903 Panhards got an impressive palmares of victories in numerous races. After World War II the Panhard Automobile Company produced light cars and managed to keep in business until 1967, when the last passenger car was built. The make was discontinued after the civilian Panhard branch being bought by Citroen.