1911 Delaunay-Belleville 26HP Tourer

•Premier French make
•Delivered new to Scotland
•Restored in the 1980s
•Used extensively for touring
•Maintained by N P Veteran Engineering

"The best-known six was the Type H (1908) and its successor the HB (1910-1914)... Its 4,426cc engine had only three main bearings, surprising perhaps in a car of its quality, but they seemed to suffice as the engine was slow revving and under stressed." - The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile.

Motor manufacturers from 1904, Delaunay-Belleville was already a well-respected engineering firm, selling steam boilers to, among others, the Royal Navy. Delaunay-Belleville motor cars were of the finest quality and within a few years the firm enjoyed a reputation ranking it alongside Daimler, Panhard and Rolls-Royce. Most models carried formal coachwork and were chauffeur driven; indeed, rival motor manufacturer Fernand Charron once declared: "No owner ever drives his Delaunay – it just isn't done." Considered by many to be superior to a Silver Ghost, the Delaunay-Belleville was greatly favoured by European royalty.

An illustrated document on file depicts this Delaunay when it was owned by one Mike Sheppard of Cheltenham, stating: "The car originally was supplied to the Durrant-Stuart family of Dalaguise in Perthshire Scotland and still has their family crest embossed on the door pockets. The car is largely original except for the rear of the body, which has been cut off to form a pickup at some time in its life and was rebuilt in the 1980s.

"Mechanically it is original including a Delaunay Belleville carburettor and pressure fed lubrication system, leather cone clutch and magneto ignition. But has the benefit of an electric starter motor."

Issued in May 1925, the accompanying old-style logbook records the owner at that time as one Frederick Stewart of Glasgow and lists two further owners, both in Scotland, though the changes are undated. Licensing in Glasgow is recorded up to mid-1929.

Also on file are photographs of the car 'as found' in the 1980s, together with an album of restoration photographs. The car has belonged to our vendor since 2009 and has been used extensively for touring, taking part in several Continental events including in Austria, Spain and France. The owner prior to our vendor was one R P Phillips of Ripley (1989) and prior to that a Mrs Ellen MacFarlane of Dunfermline (the last owner listed in the aforementioned logbook). Additional documentation consists of a VCC Dating Certificate; a V5C Registration Certificate; several old MoTs; copy Delaunay-Belleville handbook/sales catalogue; an original Delaunay-Belleville parts catalogue (in French); and starting/running instructions.

Works carried out by N P Veteran Engineering since 2010 have included rebuilding the rear axle and clutch; installing a new windscreen; general servicing; and post-rally refurbishment.