|
|
Chassis:
Hispano Suiza delivered the H6 as a rolling chassis for coach builders to body. To match the car's remarkable abilities, only the finest coach builders were commissioned to design and fit bodies on the H6 chassis. A vast majority of the chassis were fitted luxurious coachwork. The featured example is one of the most famous exceptions. Built to the order of one of of Hispano Suiza's biggest clients, Andre Dubonnet, the unique coachwork was built by Nieuport Astra, a French aviation company.
Dubonnet, the heir to an aperitif and cognac fortune, was an accomplished pilot and racing driver and needed a new car for the 1924 edition of the Targa Florio. He understood that weight and wind resistance were his biggest advisaries, which is why he turned to Nieuport. They crafted and exceptionally light tulip wood body, which was riveted together by thousands of brass rivets. Despite its huge size, the body weighed a mere 160 pounds. It was fitted on a special H6C chassis, which used a lower than standard radiator and sported a 46 gallon fuel tank. There were only two examples fitted with this 'competition' radiator.
The exceptional machine was driven to a sixth at the Targa Florio by Dubonnet. He also competed in the Coppa Florio where he finished fifth overall and first in class. Upon completion of these events, the car was retired from racing and modified for regular road use. Initially the car was equipped with very elegant 'flowing blade' fenders. These were later replaced with more substantial wings, similar in shape to the torpedo body. All of the copper trim is a later addition as well. It is in this condition that the car had survived and could be admired at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California for many years.
In 2022, it sold at auction for well over $9 million and was immediately entrusted to RM Restorations for a complete restoration. Over 12,000 hours were spent on the car bringing it back to its original configuration. New fenders were made and the over 10,000 brass rivets were all re-finished by hand. The work was completed in time for the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it very deservedly won the prestigious ‘Best of Show’ award,
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1924 |
| First owner |
André Dubonnet |
| Last known location |
American Private Collection |
| Most recent auction(s) |
|
|
|
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> Spain
> Hispano Suiza
H6C Tulip Wood Torpedo
