1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Tulip Wood Torpedo

[faksta]

It's a great piece of art, Paul! Did you give it a name?

[henk4]

Despite the considerable power, the car drives really well and is surprisingly practical. It starts, it stops and it goes round corners!

what more do you need....the coach builder by any chance was not be located in Lymington?

[Wouter Melissen]

That's a fantastic looking machine Paul. Congratulations and welcome!

[Ferrer]

Fabulous car.

I'd like to know more about it.

[twincam]

The coach builder is Keith Roach at Ower in Hampshire. One of the very best, Keith did the wonderful bodies for the Auto Unions and esp the streamliner.

The car is called the Royce-Hispano. It's traditional with specials to put the chassis type first and the engine second.

This is the spec for the car

Royce - Hispano
Inspired by Brooklands aero-engined cars and using 1920's components and technology, this car was designed by its owner for high-speed touring and occasional competition.
Technical Specification
Chassis
Modified 1929 Rolls Royce 20/25
Wheelbase: 10ft 9in (328cm) Track: 4ft 8in (142cm)
Separate three-point mounted engine/gearbox sub-chassis to protect engine crankcase from chassis torsion effects.
Wheels and Tyres: 7.00in X 21in
Engine
1922 Hispano-Suiza H3, manufactured by Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation
8 cylinder 90 degree V8, single overhead camshaft
Bore: 140mm (5.51in) Stroke: 150mm (5.9in)
Capacity: 18,475cc (1127cu.in.)
Compression Ratio: 5.5 to 1
Ignition: Twin Dixie magnetos, fixed advance, two spark plugs per cylinder.
Lubrication: Dry sump with one pressure pump and two scavenge pumps.
Oil capacity: 55 litres (12 imperial gallons)
Cooling: Centrifugal water pump chain driven from front of crankshaft-120% engine speed
Engine weight: 620 lbs dry (282kg)
Power: 325bhp at 1800rpm, 360bhp at 2000rpm, maximum revs 2300rpm
Torque: 960ft lbs at 1800rpm
Transmission
12in dry clutch driving to a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom 2 gearbox, via open propellor shaft to live axle.
Back axle ratio 1.64 to 1
Gearing: 66mph per 1000rpm
Bodywork
Two seat sports-racing in aluminium on steel frame.
Fuel tank: 172 litres (38 imperial gallons)
Quick removal wings, lights and spare wheel carrier for racing trim
Dimensions: Length overall: 16ft 9in (510cm) Weight: 1780kg (3916lbs)
Mechanical build including chassis, engine, transmission and brakes
Jim Stokes Workshops Limited, Waterlooville, Hampshire
Bodywork, including wings, stays, fuel tank, seats and screen frame
Roach Manufacturing Limited, Ower, Hampshire
Paintwork and finishing:- Sean Watson, The Old Coachworks, Over Wallop, Hampshire
Trimming:- Mike Thomas
Designed by Paul Gregory

[willysjeep]

Paul,
What a macnificent car...good luck on the project. How about better/more pix

[cmcpokey]

or a new thread full of all the details and pics

[Ferrer]

or a new thread full of all the details and pics

I agree with that.

[twincam]

Happy to oblige. I'll start a new thread and post some more pics later today

[Wouter Melissen]

Thank you. I'll add this one to the main page next week.

[cmcpokey]

you going to add his, or the tulipwood?

[Wouter Melissen]

you going to add his, or the tulipwood?

The Blackhawk car.

[chutetogether]

Just for trivia sake... The Blackhawk car was at one time (and technically may still be - I don't know for sure) part of the Ken Behring collection. Behring founded the Blackhawk Auto Museum. The museum is actually part of community called Blackhawk that Behring developed and he has a 30,000 sqft. home there. In the mid-nineties, I was part of a very small charity function of about 10 people at the house which has a roughly 10,000 sqft ballroom that contained many of Behring's favorite cars - one of which was the Hispano Torpedo. No ropes, no alarms, nothing stopping me and realizing this opportunity will never come again, I opened the door and sat in it. I sat there, hands on the wheel, imagining what it would drive like. Just a gorgeous machine. (I also went over and sat in Clark Gable's Dusenberg.)

[cmcpokey]

Just for trivia sake... The Blackhawk car was at one time (and technically may still be - I don't know for sure) part of the Ken Behring collection. Behring founded the Blackhawk Auto Museum. The museum is actually part of community called Blackhawk that Behring developed and he has a 30,000 sqft. home there. In the mid-nineties, I was part of a very small charity function of about 10 people at the house which has a roughly 10,000 sqft ballroom that contained many of Behring's favorite cars - one of which was the Hispano Torpedo. No ropes, no alarms, nothing stopping me and realizing this opportunity will never come again, I opened the door and sat in it. I sat there, hands on the wheel, imagining what it would drive like. Just a gorgeous machine. (I also went over and sat in Clark Gable's Dusenberg.)

the blackhawk collection is technically his collection. but as he has passed on it is now a private organization that has its origins in his private collection.

that had to be an amazing time, to be sitting in this amazing car. i try to get to the museum as often as possible, may go this weekend actually. if i can convince my wife to let me get away from the family for a few hours.

i don't think the gable dusenberg is in the collection any more. i saw it at Amelia Island in March, and it is a beautiful machine. i believe this is the one.. my collection from that day is so jumbled.

[Wouter Melissen]

Isn't the Blackhawk Collection owned by Don Williams?