Documented participant in the 1957 Mille Miglia
It also raced in the 1957 and 1958 Tour Auto
Participant in the 2006, 2016, 2023, and 2025 Mille Miglia editions
Eligible and ready to compete in the 2026 Mille Miglia and other prestigious historic racing ev ents
One of just 428 examples built, fewer than 200 known to exist today
Registered in the Mille Miglia Registro and complete with FIVA Certificate
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!
Founded in 1932 by engineer Charles Deutsch and mechanic René Bonnet, Les Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet (D.B.)quickly earned a formidable reputation in the racing world.
Initially building Citroën-based race cars, the marque introduced its first road-going model in 1950.
In 1954, the vision for a small GT with race-bred credentials materialized as the HBR5.
Constructed on a robust beam chassis and featuring a fiberglass body, the HBR5 was lightweight and highly competitive.
Powered by an air-cooled, 850cc flat-twin engine derived from the Panhard Dyna Z, it produced an impressive 58 hp in a car weighing just 620 kg, offering a thrilling power-to-weight ratio.
This configuration proved itself repeatedly in major events such as the Tour de France Automobile, Targa Florio, 12 Hours of Sebring, Monte Carlo Rally, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and, of course, the Mille Miglia.
D.B. remains the French manufacturer with the highest number of Le Mans entries to date, and has recorded nearly 1,000 racing victories.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This DB HBR5 was first delivered on 12 April 1957 to Parisian amateur racing driver Jacques Badoche.
Originally finished in the striking Blue Turquoise Metallic, the car retains this same captivating color today, restored with precision after a bare-metal respray. During the restoration, traces of the factory paint were discovered in several areas, ensuring an exact and faithful match to its original shade.
The second documented owner, Mr. Thierry Robitaille, acquired the car on 8 January 1985, at which time it was noted to be finished in white.
In 1993, the DB passed to Mr. Lucien Renaud, and later, in 2006, to Mr. Bernard Deligny.
The car remained in France until 2015, when it was imported to Belgium by a new custodian.
Under his care, the DB gained recognition on the concours stage, winning its class at the Antwerp Concours d’Elegance (2017) and taking Best in Show at Concours Herk-de-Stad.
In 2021, the car changed hands again, passing via this Belgian gentleman into our collection and subsequently being sold in December 2021 to an American enthusiast, who kept the car registered in the Netherlands.
That same year, marque specialist Peter Breed in the Netherlands completed a comprehensive engine rebuild along with detailed mechanical works.
Further extensive work followed in 2023, including a complete suspension rebuild, brake system restoration, a new clutch installation, and a thorough overhaul of the carburetors and fuel system.
This DB has an enviable competition pedigree, having successfully participated in multiple editions of the Mille Miglia: 2006, 2016, 2023, and most recently 2025.
In fact, under the stewardship of its latest UK enthusiast owner, the car completed the 2025 Mille Miglia without issue.
Today, this historically significant DB HBR5, with its superb provenance, concours accolades, and race history, awaits a new custodian to continue its remarkable journey.
RACE HISTORY
This DB HBR5 made its international competition debut at the 1957 Mille Miglia, entered by its first owner Jacques Badoche, with Ruprecht Hoppen as co-driver.
On 11 May 1957, carrying starting number 83, the car left Brescia at 23:38:38 and went on to achieve a fine result: finishing 5th in class and 142nd overall. An admirable performance that firmly established the sporting credentials of the French marque on Italian roads.
Mr. Badoche was already a seasoned competitor, having taken part in the Monte Carlo Rally of 1954 and 1956.
With this DB HBR5, he continued to race actively, contesting the Tour Auto in both April 1957 and September 1958, as well as the 1958 Rallye de Picardie and the Rallye Lorraine-Alsace.
The car’s Mille Miglia history is fully supported by period photographs and original documentation from the Mille Miglia Museum Archive in Brescia, underlining its authentic and highly desirable competition pedigree.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
The body of this DB HBR5 presents in a good condition.
The paintwork presents nicely, with a lovely patina that reflects both its restoration and ongoing use, while the presence of the hand-painted original Mille Miglia race numberbprovides an especially evocative detail of its competition past.
The glass, exterior emblems, lighting, lenses, and turn indicators are all in good condition, contributing to the car’s honest and well-preserved presentation.
CONDITION INTERIOR
The interior of this DB Panhard makes a strong impression.
The seats, with their elegant shape, display a pleasing patina that speaks to the car’s authenticity and careful preservation.
The overall interior presentation is highly attractive, the color scheme of the cabin harmonizes beautifully with the exterior, creating a particularly appealing atmosphere.
The dashboard, is both functional and stylish.
All instruments are in perfect working order, while the wood-rimmed steering wheel is presented in very good condition.
Charming details, such as the neatly mounted light and indicator controls on the steering column, further enhance the character of the cockpit and reflect the thoughtful craftsmanship of the period.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Behind the wheel, the DB Panhard offers an unmistakably French driving experience.
Its lively two-cylinder engine, paired with a 4-speed front-wheel-drive transaxle, delivers character and charm in equal measure.
The car’s handling is light, precise, and confidence-inspiring.
With its outstanding power-to-weight ratio, the DB feels genuinely quick, and the direct steering makes it especially rewarding, even more so in the rain.
It is, quite simply, a joy to race.
As a collector’s piece, the DB Panhard is particularly compelling.
The market is small and highly specialized, but supply is even smaller, making opportunities to acquire one exceedingly rare, as so few examples survive.
This example offers not only a slice of French motorsport history but also eligibility for many of the world’s most prestigious events, including the Mille Miglia, and at a fraction of the cost of other models.
With its rarity, period competition history, and striking sporting design, this DB Panhard is a compelling candidate for the Mille Miglia and an exceptional addition to any serious collection.
HISTORY FILE
The DB Panhard has a very impressive history file.
Included in the history file are amongst other papers:
Pictures of the period Mille Miglia
Pictures of old races
Copy of the subscription documents of the 1957 Mille Miglia
Fiva Certificate
Mille Miglia Registro Certificate, the Mille Miglia Registro is the official Certifying Body that registers and certifies all cars that are eligible to enter the 1000 Miglia Storico (the modern Mille Miglia).
This specific DB Panhard has been Certified confirming this car is indeed an original Mille Miglia Veteran car and has participated in the 1957 Mille Miglia.
