1958 D.B HB R5 FIA

Lot 28
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Estimation :
55000 - 75000 EUR
1958 D.B HB R5 FIA
Fully restored car for over €77,000. Several participations in the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic and Historic Monte Carlo Exhibited at the Musée des 24 Heures Le Mans in 2014 Collector's French car registration document Chassis no.: 1027 The two car enthusiasts René Bonnet and Charles Deutsch arrive at the 1954 Paris Motor Show with the fruit of their research, a French berlinette, the D.B HBR5 Coach, which follows an aluminium prototype presented the previous year. This little car was a real revolution with its central beam chassis, its fibreglass bodywork, and a twin-cylinder engine developing 50 bhp, originally from Panhard. The result is surprising with a car slightly over 600 kg and capable of surprising performances that will allow it to regularly appear at the top of the rankings of its class or at the performance index. Comparable in its approach to a Lotus Elite, or the ancestor of the Alpine A110, this car takes an important place in the history of French racing cars. Today it is the symbol of a bygone era when a few talented craftsmen could compete at the start of the world's greatest events. The D.B. manufacturer has won nearly 1,000 race victories and can boast to this day to be the French manufacturer with the highest number of participations in the Le Mans 24 Hours! Interestingly enough, the car we are presenting was delivered to D.B. on November 28, 1958 before being sent to the United States by D.B. Northeastern Inc. on January 28, 1959. Originally Vit-Lak orange, it was repainted immediately at the request of its owner. It will change hands a second time and will go to Arizona before returning to France in 2004 in the collection of a great collector of the brand. Her goal is to participate in several historical events where the D.B. has shone in the past. It is thus the subject of a complete restoration at the famous Provost Automobile not far from Le Mans for the modest sum of 54,400 € and for more than 9,000 € at Electricity Jandeaux in Aigné (72) for the entire beam. Perfectly prepared, the D.B. will take the start of the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo in 2007 and 2009, the Le Mans Classic 2006 and the Le Mans Legend 2007 before joining the Le Mans 24 Hours Museum during the exhibition reserved for the French cars of the Mancelle race. It is in 2015 that the current owner takes possession of it. Now equipped with an FIA Technical Passport and a 3-part FFSA passport, he will take the start of the Monte-Carlo Historique in 2017 and 2019. Aesthetically, the fibreglass bodywork seems to have just been restored. Difficult to obtain on a fibre body, the sashes are perfectly aligned and the paintwork is very well stretched. The long spans, the Le Mans style fuel cap and the hood straps give the whole a typical look of the period. Complying with the FIA Annex K, the car obtained a PTH in October 2007 (to be renewed) and distinguished itself brilliantly at the Monte-Carlo Historic 2017 with the first place in the pre 62 category and the Historic Commission Cup... Like a reminder of history with the 3rd place of Surles/Piniers at the wheel of their Coach in 1959 ! More and more sought-after, the Coach D.B. are endearing cars, fun to drive with their exceptional handling, rare on our roads. For a long time absent from the lists of the greatest historical events, they are finally regaining interest among collectors. Our copy, sold with a 851 cc (n°25553) and in addition its two Zenith double body 38 WIM carburettors to increase its power is a piece of choice. To you, the sound of the two-cylinder, the reverse gearbox control and the most beautiful events of the calendar!
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