D.B.

France, 1938 – 1961

Automobiles D.B., Champigny-sur-Marne, Seine

Deutsch and Bonnet were building ‘specials’ based on 11CV traction avant Citroëns in 1938. In 1947 limited production began again, the first DBs being competition machines largely built up from reconditioned components, using 1½-litre and 2-litre engines and 4-speed gearboxes. A new DB car based on the Dyna-Panhard ran at Montlhéry in 1948, while in 1949 the Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) company produced a 500cc single-seater version for Formula III, with the Panhard engine mounted in the nose, and independent swing-axle rear suspension. Some 100mph Citroën-based Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) convertibles were also made, but after 1950 Deutsch and Bonnet (DB)  devoted all their energies to Panhard derivatives. Though never a major force in Formula III, the Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) cars gained numerous International Class Records and won the Index of Performance at Le Mans five times (1954, 1956, 1959, 1960 and 1961). Also Laureau’s Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) won the 1954 TT outright. An attempt to contest the 2½-litre GP Formula of 1954 with the alternative permitted size of 750cc supercharged was a fiasco, and little came of the curious Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) Monomills (the same cars with blowers removed) with which Deutsch and Bonnet tried to popularize one-class racing in France. Equally abortive were experiments with twin engines and 4-wheel drive (for sale in 1952) and with rear-mounted Renault engine and 5-speed gearboxes (for sale in 1953). The production Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) sports coupés used regular Panhard mechanical components allied to light alloy bodywork (fiberglass from 1955) and were marketed in various engine capacities from 610cc (30bhp) to 1300cc (65bhp). M.A.G. low-pressure superchargers were listed from 1954, and disc brakes were an option a year later on Deutsch and Bonnet (DB). The standard 1958 Deutsch and Bonnet (DB)model was the Rallye coupé with a 55bhp 850cc engine. Deutsch and Bonnet (DB) remained faithful to Panhard until the partnership was dissolved in 1961. René Bonnet continued the manufacture of cars in the Champigny works under his own name.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS
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