DB (France) - AllCarIndex

Automobiles D.B. was a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1938 by Charles Deutsch and René Bonnet, operating until 1961. The company was based in Champigny-sur-Marne, Seine, and was characterized by an unofficial partnership due to Deutsch's position as a civil servant, which prohibited him from engaging in formal business arrangements. Deutsch had inherited a workshop from his father, which he sold to Bonnet in 1932. Bonnet was an entrepreneur and skilled mechanical engineer, while Deutsch had a background in civil engineering and a keen interest in aerodynamics.

The duo's foray into motorsport began in 1936 when they planned to participate in the French Grand Prix. When the car they had arranged to hire failed to arrive, they decided to build their own vehicle. The first D.B. car was based on the Citroën 11CV traction avant and featured a body inspired by George Eyston's Thunderbolt. This initial model was completed in 1938, and Bonnet managed to race it in a few events before the outbreak of World War II, during which time a second model, D.B.2, was developed.

After the war, D.B. cars returned to competition, with the first postwar race taking place in Paris in 1945. The company established a formula for its vehicles that emphasized low weight, low drag, and tuned production engines. Automobiles D.B. produced a variety of Citroën-based single-seaters and sports cars, utilizing a distinctive forked backbone chassis. However, due to Citroën's reluctance to supply new components, the company primarily relied on Panhard parts after its formal establishment in 1949.

Throughout the 1950s, D.B. participated in various racing categories, including Formula Three and Formula Two, but struggled to achieve significant success in these competitions. In contrast, their sports and GT cars were noted for their aerodynamic efficiency and innovative design. D.B. vehicles began competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949, achieving class wins in the mid-1950s and notable victories in events such as the Mille Miglia and the 1954 Tourist Trophy.

In 1952, D.B. showcased a road-going coupe at the Paris Salon, which featured a box-section chassis and Panhard Dyna suspension. The company offered a range of engines, from a 30 bhp 610 cc unit to a supercharged 850 cc engine producing 55 bhp. By 1955, D.B. had introduced fibreglass bodies and optional front disc brakes, with engine options expanding to 1000 cc and even 1300 cc. The customization of vehicles meant that production numbers were low, and each car was often unique.

In 1961, the partnership between Deutsch and Bonnet dissolved, with Bonnet favoring Renault components while Deutsch preferred to continue with Panhard. The last notable D.B. entries at Le Mans occurred in 1962, with a 750 cc CD-Panhard and a 1-litre Bonnet-Renault both achieving class wins. Following the split, Bonnet continued to manufacture cars under his name until being acquired by MATRA, while Deutsch transitioned to a career as an independent engineering consultant, contributing to projects such as the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans.