•Rare six-cylinder Derby sports car
•Delightful sporting coachwork
•An older restoration showing lovely patina

A relatively short-lived make, in existence from 1921 to 1936, Derby was the name given to the cars built by Ets. B. Montet based in Courbevoie, France. Founded in 1912, the company was engaged in general engineering at first and after WWI began dealing in war surplus Harley-Davidson motorcycles. A Harley-Davidson V-Twin engine was used to power the first Derby automobile, a lightweight cyclecar. Within a couple of seasons the H-D engined cyclecar had gone, replaced by larger models powered by Chapuis-Dornier four-cylinder engines. SCAP and Ruby engines were used also as the Derby range expanded still further, and then in October 1928 at the Salon de l'Automobile in Paris, the company released its first six-cylinder car, powered by a CIME sidevalve engine. Derby's first CIME-powered sixes were of 1.2 and 1.3-litre capacity, increasing to 1.6 and 1.8-litres within the next few years. Derbys of this period were extremely handsome, with many carrying low-slung sports or racing bodies.

The brand was widely known abroad, being built under license between 1924 and 1926 in Italy where it was marketed as the Fadini, and sold in the UK as the Vernon-Derby from 1927 to 1930. Following founder Bertrand Montet's death in 1928, Derby passed into the control of British investors. This change of ownership did not bode well, as the firm pressed ahead with an ambitious V8-powered front-wheel-drive model at a time of economic recession. Very few of the V8s were made and the firm eventually closed its doors in 1936 having made some very attractive sporting models but seldom more than a few hundred cars each year.

Offered here is a rare Derby Type K4. Commercially sold as the Sport 6 Cylindres K6 with the Racing Surbaissé body, the car is fitted with 1.8-litre six-cylinder CIME engine, four-speed gearbox and a short wheelbase of 2.70 metres, which makes for a very sporting drive indeed. Like the majority of the Derbys of the period, this K4 is believed to have been delivered new to Italy where it was found in a collection in the early 1960s (see photograph on file). The Derby probably spent most of its life in Italy before ending up in 2015 in France (registered under French collection title – registration FB-644-DG) where it has been in recent years. The car was partially restored in 2016 by Concept & Restauration in France as proved by pictures and invoices on file for a total of more than €21.000. Recently, this Derby was driven in a rally across Mont Ventoux before being overhauled by Bugatti Specialist Revival Engineering during Summer 2023. Accompanying documentation consists of an old ASI document (dated 1991); sundry invoices; French Carte Grise; and the aforementioned period photograph of the car in Italy. A unique opportunity to own an ultra-rare six-cylinder French sports car from the late Vintage period.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.