1912 Delaunay-Belleville Omnibus

Founded in 1903 by Louis Delaunay and Marius Barbarou, Automobiles Delaunay-Belleville was one of the premier constructors of automobiles in France prior to WWI. Drawing from his experience working for both Clément and Benz, Barbarou was responsible for the styling of the rounded grille synonymous with Delaunay-Belleville automobiles. The company also premiered a number of engineering feats for France, such as a pressure-fed oiling system for the engine’s camshaft, watercooled brakes, and an inline six-cylinder engine.

Delaunay-Belleville’s grand design and innovative technological breakthroughs caught the attention of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, who promptly ordered a 40 hp model. The company was so taken by his royal interest that their 70 hp model became known as Sa Majesté le Tsar in his honor. This elegant Delaunay-Belleville Omnibus was reportedly used to shuttle royal guests throughout Russia when new, and was later displayed at the Musée de l’Automobiliste in Mougins, France, which was founded in 1984 by André Binda, Antoine Raffaeli, and Adrien Maeght. The car was later acquired by veteran automobile collectors Daniel and Toby Ward in England before joining the Mullin Collection. Adorned with handsome La Carrosserie Industrielle Omnibus coachwork and featuring dual rear wheels, this Delaunay-Belleville stands alone in its detail, quality of presentation, and provenance, having been displayed in some of the finest museums and private collections.