1911 Delaunay Belleville HB6. Original unrestored.

1911 Delaunay Bellville HB6 Limousine Landaulette.

Chassis number: 4038V
Coachwork: Burlington Carriage company.
Registration Number: BP1679 (applied for. )
Engine Number: 4038V

An historically important & spectacular survivor in original & untouched condition. The history of this car can be traced back many decades when it passed through the hands of a variety of Vintage car luminaries including Mr Gilbert James Allday. MBE. owner of Weybridge automobiles who kept it in the new car showroom for many years through the 1950's rubbing elbows with then new Bentley & Jaguar motor cars. It also resided with Lord Montague in the National Motor Museum going there in 1975 & leaving in the early 1980's.

Around this time it was acquired by one Herr Schmidt living just south of Munich. He kept the car for over three decades until last year when we bought it back to the UK. During his tenure. there are some very large bills on file for works undertaken to put & keep the car in tip top mechanical order. The bills are in German & are comprehensive in their descriptions & nature. The condition of the car is testament to his praiseworthy preservation of its original condition.

The model is a 6 cylinder HB6 displacing just under 5 litres. The open drive Landaulette coachwork is by the Burlington Carriage company of 315 Oxford St. & is a delight to behold. The rear area curves outwards & upwards voluptuously & is a masterpiece of the coach-builders art. The body work takes the form of an open drive to the chauffeurs area which is upholstered in buttoned black leather in lovely patinated order. A director of Delaunay belleville is noted as saying that their cars were invariably chauffeur driven. as for an owner to drive himself: "Just wasn't Done. "

The rear of the car is a text book example of an early automobile emerging from the carriage makers art. The seats are of worn but serviceable black leather. Brocade details about as do the embroidered pulls for windows & division. Twin occasional seats fold out from the bulkhead. again in buttoned black leather. Two latches undo to allow the folding down of the landaulette rear affording open air motoring for the rear passengers.

I can attest to the rude health of the mechanics of this car having followed it two years ago though the Austrian Alps on a rally & more recently filled it with Royal Ballet School pupils to take part in the Lord Mayors parade; an event that required 40 minutes of idling at walking pace with the engine never showing signs of getting hot. On the roof is a useful luggage rack that would do well to have a set of antique leather cases added to it.

These HB6 cars were advanced for thier time featuring a pressure lubrication system turning a very unstressed engine. 200. 00 miles was not uncommon between rebuilds in period. This example starts readily off the electric start or equally readily off the starting handle. The engine is powerful & silent allowing the car to make a progress at its ease amongst B road traffic.

The car as a whole is festooned in tarnished brass; we felt it a crime to consider polishing the brass prior to photography so as not to lose the feeling of the cars great age. The car needs nothing & is ready for extensive running. Delaunay Bellevilles are rare & beautiful cars often considered to be the Gallic equivalent of our own Rolls-Royce.

A gallery of large high resolution pictures may be viewed at http://www. vandp. net by clicking the "More Pictures" button.

Be sure to view image in "Original" format if you wish for a close up view. Menu is to right of picture.

Office 01375 379719

Richard Biddulph 07967 260673
Adi 07960 781930


We accept Credit/Debit Cards.
Part Exchange welcome.
Weekend & evening viewings OK.
Viewings by appointment :

Prestige House.
9 Globe Industrial Estate. br/>Grays. Essex. RM17 6ST

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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