Description
Deutsch-Bonnet HBR5 Coach Luxe 1957
Chassis 933 - Expertised
428 examples
Exceptional history
Original purchase invoice
Rally accolades
Eligible for the most prestigious competitions
René Bonnet, a mechanical and motorsport enthusiast, meets Charles Deutsch, a French aerodynamics engineer, in 1932. Together they develop the “DB” project, a marque of sports cars.
Their aim: to develop a range of small-engine, aerodynamically efficient cars to optimise rally performance. The first DB-branded coupes appeared in 1947.
They became heavily involved in rallying and on international circuits: Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring, 12 Hours of Reims, Tour Auto. Victories followed, notably in 1952 at the Tour Auto and at Le Mans between 1954 and 1961 thanks to the 750cc sports racing cars with Panhard engines.
After working with Citroën on the mechanics of the early models, Panhard was finally chosen to equip the HBR5 coach which debuted in 1954. HBR5 signifies, according to the federation internationale du sport codes of that era:
H = the sports car category with displacement between 500 and 750 cm3
B = two-seat cars
R = road-legal cars
And finally 5 = 5 fiscal horsepower.
The HBR5 was produced in only 428 examples.
A coach that is thus rare on the market!
Its features: a beam chassis, a triangulated front suspension, and a fibreglass body for a total weight of under 600 kilos.
Motive side, an 851 cm3, 52bhp two-cylinder Panhard engine for the “Luxe” version.
There you have it – efficiency.
Our example was delivered new on 22/ 10/ 1957 (705 DR 29), in 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.
In competition, it contested the Rallye de Touraine - Poitou - Bretagne - Normandie on 15/ 16 March 1958, the 1st Pentecost Rally at La Baule on 15/ 06/ 1958 with number 20 (1st in the 500/ 1000 cm3 class) and the Tour de France Automobile from 14 to 21/ 09/ 1958.
The car is, to date, strictly in accordance with the Tour de France 1958: super 400 aluminium drums at the front, four reinforced wheels, red number 114, no side air outlets, and an engine fitted with an aerodynamic cooling cover.
A major restoration was carried out in 2016 by its current owner. All bodywork and mechanical components were meticulously checked.
Bodywork notes include: refurbishment of the beam chassis with epoxy paint, complete stripping of the shell, installation of a fabric prior to resin application, marine-plywood flooring to improve floor rigidity, replating of door window surrounds, painting the wheels in the car’s original colour.
Mechanically, among the most significant works: replacement of piston rings and engine seals, cleaning of the sills, polishing and fitting of aluminium covers with an aero-turbine, ultrasonic cleaning of the carburettor, installation of a reconditioned dynamo with a new bearing, complete overhaul of the starter, restoration of the steering column, full inspection of the gearbox, phosphating of the tank with Restom resin kit treatment, fitting of a race-type fuel cap, replacement of the front drums with super 400 drums (an option planned by René Bonnet) and fitting reinforced wheels as in the era to prevent torsion…
The full list of works as well as a photo dossier of the restoration are available.
Today the car is configured for historic rallying with: a removable roll cage and three-point harnesses, tow hooks, a fire extinguisher, an interior and exterior cut-off switch, a trip master, and two bucket seats matching those of the period.
Here is the opportunity to own a rare and iconic model, with a complete, registered history at the “DB” club. This magnificent DB is, moreover, eligible for all historic rallies and ready to drive.
It recently featured in a TF1 report "à la recherche de la perle rare" in Reportage Découvert on 3 January 2026.
A car seldom seen in today’s world.
Viewing by appointment
Valid technical inspection
Expertise
French non-collection registration card
