Single family ownership from new 1909 Panhard et Levassor 12hp Tourer consigned to Bonhams & Goodman.
Panhard et Levassor motor cars are a rare find in Australia however finding one that has been with the same family since new is remarkable! Bonhams & Goodman has unearthed a very rare 1909 Panhard et Levassor 12hp Tourer with single family ownership from new which will be offered at a sale of collectors’ cars on Sunday 15th June in Sydney.
The French manufactured car with impeccable provenance was sold new to Bill Moss, a butcher in North Ryde, Sydney for 975 pounds. The car was sold at a time when motor cars were still considered an extremely rare and luxurious mode of transport. Moss was promised driving lessons to accompany the sale but the lessons never eventuated so he taught himself to drive!
The car used to take the Moss family on trips to the Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains, NSW which although today may seem easy, was no mean feat back in the early 1900s!
Moss’ car was one of the first in his neighbourhood and the vehicle was frequently called on for some interesting tasks. The police were known to utilise the car for picking up suicide or murder victims and at the other end of the spectrum the car was also used to deliver returning WW1 troops back home in style.
Following the death of Bill Moss in 1924, the car passed into the ownership of his son Ken. Ken Moss joined the Veteran Car Club of Australia very early on (member number 36!) and took part in many Veteran Car Club events. Indeed this car was the first car that George Green (also of VCC fame) ever travelled in.
Ken Moss passed away in 1997 and his descendants are now offering the car for sale. Partly restored, the car is largely original and is predicted to fetch between $45,000 – 60,000.
For more information about the Panhard et Levassor, or to enquire about consigning your car to the auction, please contact Robert Glover, National Head of Collector’s Cars on + 61 (0) 2 8306 2206 or visit www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au
