1913 Delaunay Belleville Model 06 Tourer

Delaunay-Belleville started automobile production in 1904, and, like Hotchkiss, a manufacturer of modern armaments that shifted to production cars, Delaunay-Belleville was developing manufacturing technologies at the highest level. This rare Delaunay-Belleville 06 is one of the first ten built - possibly as early as late 1912. The car was bought by Edward Daubree, a member of the family that co-founded a small rubber factory in Clermont-Ferrand by the name of Michelin et Cie. The car remained in the same family until its current owner bought it in 2012, one hundred years after it was built. It has retained its original Tourer body constructed by J. Rothschild & Fils in Paris. The body is made of Partinium, an aluminum alloy with tungsten, a material that goes back to the days of horse carriage construction.

It is believed that this particular example is one of the first ten O6 chassis built by Delaunay-Belleville. It was purchased new by Édouard Daubrée, co-founder of Michelin et Cie.

After World War I, the car was presented to Pierre de Brou de Laurière, a nephew of Édouard Daubrée, and registered in his name in the town of Périgueux in the Bordeaux area. In 1920, the car received electric lighting. In 1924 and 1928, the car returned to the factory for major work, including renovation of the engine and transmission.

When the next War threatened, the car was still in the ownership of M. de Brou de Laurière. When German troops were advancing, the car was hidden from the Nazis. The wheels were separated from the car and walled up in another house.

The car would remain in storage for 47 years. It was discovered in 1986 by a member of the Brou de Laurière family. The car was dismantled at that time, overhauled mechanically, given a sympathetic repaint, and a new convertible top was fitted. It remained in the Brou de Laurière family until it was sold at auction in February 2012.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016