• Year of manufacture 
    1957
  • Car type 
    Coupé
  • Competition car 
    Yes
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Restored
  • Interior colour 
    Red
  • Number of doors 
    2
  • Number of seats 
    4
  • Location
    Netherlands
  • Exterior colour 
    Blue
  • Gearbox 
    Manual
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

- Comlete with copies of original Mille Miglia documents of this specific car
- Eligible for the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto & Le Mans Classic
- The opportunity to acquire a legend of French motorsport at a still reasonable price
- Produced in 428 examples, there are less than 200 known to exist today
- The manufacturer D.B. has won nearly 1,000 races and can boast of being the French manufacturer with the highest number of entries in the Le Mans 24 Hours to date!

The firm Deutsch Bonnet was formed in 1932 from the meeting of two car racing enthusiasts: Charles Deutsch, a polytechnic engineer and René Bonnet, an ingenious mechanic.

Les Automobiles Deutsch and Bonnet (D.B.) built profiled racing cars with Citroën mechanics before presenting their first passenger car at the 1950 Paris Motor Show.

But it was in 1954 that the idea of building a small French GT – which would thus benefit from the reputation acquired on the circuits – began to make its way.

Built on an extremely rigid beam chassis and equipped with a plastic body (1st French car in polyester glass laminate), the HBR 5 coach was produced until the end of the Deutsch et Bonnet association in 1961.

It benefits from the excellent flat-twin engine of 850 cm3 cooled by air. The engine was borrowed from the Panhard Dyna Z,

The engine produces 58hp which is a lot in comparison to the weight of the car which is only 620 kilo’s.

The HBR5 won many category victories in most major events such as the Tour de France Automobile, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Les 24 Heures du Mans, the Monte-Carlo rally and the 12 hours of Sebring.

Road & Track tested the DB HBR5 in 1957, heaping praise on the roomy, well-furnished interior, the price in San Francisco that year was $3,850.

For perspective, the Porsche 1600 Coupé the magazine tested that same year had a list price of $3,790.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This specific DB HBR5 is very well documented and a file with documents and photo’s etc. is coming with the car.

This specific DB HBR5 participated successfully in the Mille Miglia in 1957.

It was driven by Mr. Jacques Badoche and Mr. Ruprecht Hoppen. It was the 11th May 1957, its starting time was 23.38.38 and the starting number was 83.

The DB HBR5 finished at the 5th. place in its class and 142th overall.

Mr. Badoche was a driver in the 1954 and 1956 Monte Carlo Rally as well.

This fascinating DB HBR5 is ready to participate in the historical events mentioned before.

The car started the 2016 Mille Miglia and was amongst other events winner of the Antwerp Concours and where she already distinguished herself with some success such as the Mille Miglia 2016, the Antwerp Concours in 2017 where was winner in its class or at the Concours Herk De Stad in Belgium where was Best in Show.

CONDITION EXTERIOR

The body of the DB HBR5 is in a very nice condition. The paint is wonderful and the nice details of the original race number is off-course amazing. A detail which may never been taken off in our opinion.

The DB HBR5 has been very well maintained and just benefited from recent work and an engine check up.

According to the current owner the car is ready to start another Mille Miglia.

CONDITION INTERIOR

The interior has benefited from a superb refurbishment whereby the original characteristics has been kept on a new interior.

All meters on the dashboard are in a perfect functioning order. Absolutely amazing but this car could be used for a brochure how these cars were sold new.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The car is driving fabulous and starts immediately.

The handling of the car is impressive. Due to the low weight to power ratio the car is very fast. The steering is direct and the car gives a lot of fun to drive.

This HBR5 D.B. coach will lead her future owner directly to the lists of competitors in the most beautiful races on the calendar.

Disclaimer
The information provided on this website has been compiled by The Houtkamp Collection with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. The Houtkamp Collection is not liable for any errors or mistakes.