Description
Deutsch- Bonnet HBR5 Coach Luxe 1957
Chassis 933 - Expertisée
428 examples
Exceptional history
Period purchase invoice
Rallying pedigree
Eligible in the most prestigious competitions
René Bonnet, a mechanical enthusiast with a passion for motorsport, meets Charles Deutsch, a French aerodynamic engineer, in 1932. Together they developed the “DB” project, a marque of sports cars.
Their aim: to develop a range of small-displacement cars with aerodynamics to optimise rally performance. The first DB-branded coupés appeared in 1947.
They enjoyed intense participation in rallies and on international circuits: Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring, 12 Hours of Reims, Tour Auto. And victories followed, notably in 1952 at the Tour Auto and at Le Mans between 1954 and 1961 thanks to the 750cc mid‑engined lightweight bodies.
After working with Citroën on the mechanicals of the early models, it was ultimately Panhard chosen to equip the HBR5 coach, which debuted in 1954. HBR5 precisely according to the federation’s codes of the era:
H denotes the sports category for cars with displacement between 500 and 750 cm3
B denotes two-seater cars
R denotes cars permitted on public roads
And finally 5 for 5 fiscal horsepower
The HBR5 was produced in only 428 examples.
A coach thus rare on the market!
Key features: a beam chassis, a triangulated front suspension, and a fibreglass body for a total weight of under 600 kg.
Engine side: an 851 cm3 two-cylinder Panhard delivering 52 bhp for the “luxe” version.
Proof of efficiency right there!
Our example was delivered new on 22/ 10/ 1957 (705 DR 29), red as of today, to Mr Thuaud of Quimper.
The car was subsequently sold to André Garnier in 1960 (186 - EZ - 68) then to Julian in 1965 (50 GE 30) then to Guy Meozzi in 1985; to Michel Bellarbre in 2015 and finally to its current owner since 2016.
On the track it competed in the Rallye de Touraine - Poitou - Bretagne - Normandie 15/ 16 March 1958, the 1st Pentecost Rally in La Baule on 15/ 06/ 1958 with number 20 - (1st in class 500/ 1, 000 cm3) and the Tour de France Automobile from 14 to 21/ 09/ 1958.
The car is, to date, strictly compliant with the Tour de France 1958: super 400 aluminium drums at the front, four reinforced wheels, red number 114, no side air intakes, and an engine fitted with an aero-dynamical ventilation sump.
A major restoration was carried out in 2016 by its current owner. All bodywork and mechanical components were meticulously overhauled.
On the bodywork, notable work includes: chassis beam refurbishment with epoxy paint, complete stripping of the shell, laying a fabric before resin application, installation of marine plywood flooring to improve floor rigidity, re-chroming of door window surrounds, painting the wheels in the car’s original colour.
On the mechanical side, among the most significant works: replacement pistons and engine seals, cleaning of the sills, polishing and fitting of aluminium sumps with aero-dynamic turbine, ultrasonic carburettor overhaul, fitting a revised dynamo with a new bearing, full starter overhaul, restoration of the steering column, complete gearbox inspection, Restom resin kit tank treatment, installation of a race-type fuel cap, replacement of front drums with super 400 units as originally planned by René Bonnet, and fitting of reinforced wheels of the era to resist torsion…
The full list of works as well as a photo file of the restoration are available.
The car is now set up for rally regularity events with: a removable rollover cage and safety harnesses, tow hooks, a fire extinguisher, an internal and external kill switch, a tripmaster and two competition-style bucket seats in period spec.
An opportunity to own a rare and iconic model, with a complete and catalogued history at the “DB” club. This splendid “DB” is also eligible for all historic rallies and ready to run.
It recently featured in a TF1 report titled “à la recherche de la perle rare” in Reportage Découvert on 03 January 2026.
A car like very few others seen today.
Viewings by appointment
Valid technical inspection
Expert appraisal
French non‑collector registration
