French registration
Chassis N°: 1268
- Excellent project for restoration
- Grand Luxe version
- Very rare on the market

At the end of the 1950s the cabriolet and roadster market was booming and the offer in this segment included heavy English convertibles such as the Aston Martin DB2/4, Jaguar XK150, Austin-Healey 100-6, or German ones with the190 SL, the expensive Triumph TR-3, Porsche 356 or MG A in sports models. In France we have the Renault Floride in the light and popular vehicle category. DB is interested in this market and wants to offer a car that is more powerful than a Floride and lighter than all the others with superior dynamic qualities. The two manufacturers with a passion for motor racing, Charles Deutsch and René Bonnet, joined forces in 1947 and with their DB they won numerous victories with coupes and single-seaters with Panhard engines. At the same time, they also marketed convertibles and sports coaches, including the famous DB HBR 4 and 5. At the 1959 Paris Motor Show, the French car manufacturer unveiled a sporty-looking cabriolet called "Le Mans". Its name refers to the numerous performance index victories won by the brand in recent years. The Cabriolet will be equipped with an 851 cc two-cylinder Panhard Tiger engine that develops 50 bhp in its first version and uses the base of the PL 17. At the 1960 Show, two other optional engines will be available: 702 and 954 cm3 which develops 75 bhp SAE. A Hard Top was also marketed. At the 1961 Paris Motor Show, the range was expanded with the appearance of the Grand Luxe, recognizable by its double headlamps borrowed from the Facelia by Facel-Véga, which was called Mégalux, and a hard-top. It features a leather-wrapped dashboard, a wooden steering wheel, fog and long-range headlights and a sun visor. It is one of the last representatives of the association of Charles Deutsch and René Bonnet, two great names in motor sport, who have produced some brilliant racing machines on a Panhard base. Particularly attached to lightness and aerodynamics, they have applied these principles to their touring models. Capable of approaching 170 km/h, it is particularly rare since production has not exceeded 200 units. René Bonnet and Charles Deutsch could no longer find each other on their projects, so they split up in 1962.
The DB presented in these pages is therefore a rare Grand Luxe version and was put into circulation in 1961. The body is Lakeland blue with white leather upholstery. The car is complete except for the engine and gearbox which has been uncoupled from the car, probably for a restoration. It represents an excellent restoration project to be finished, the base is sound and the interior is in good condition. The DB was probably repainted a few years ago. All the specific accessories are present and even the soft top is in excellent condition. All that remains is to find an adequate mechanic to come and revive this superb little cabriolet.

Aguttes – Auction House in Paris
The Autumn Sale 2020 / 13th of December

Public Viewing:
On appointment only

Contact: +33 1 47 45 93 01 / [email protected]

The Auction Sale:
Sunday 13 December: 15:00 PM

Aguttes
164 bis avenue Charles de Gaullle
92 200 Neuilly-sur-Seine

For more information:
Contact: +33 1 47 45 93 01 / +33 6 16 91 42 28 / [email protected]

https://expertise.aguttes.com/estimation-automobiles-de-collection/