Hispano-Suiza H6C “Tulipwood” Torpedo 1924

**Sauc3** · 02-08-2006, 06:37 AM

Hispano-Suiza H6C “Tulipwood” Torpedo #1

In 1924 the “Tulipwood” Torpedo was commissioned by André Dubonnet who, at the age of 26, was an accomplished aviator and racecar driver. The Dubonnet family had amassed a fortune from the aperitifs and cognacs that continue to bear the family name.

Dubonnet contracted the Nieuport Aviation Company to build a lightweight body suitable for both racing and touring. Nieuport craftsmen formed a frame of wooden ribs measuring up to 3/4-inch thick which were covered with 1/8-inch wooden veneer. Strips of tulipwood of uneven thickness and length were fastened to the veneer with thousands of brass rivets. The body was then sealed, sanded and varnished; when fully equipped, the body was to have weighed approximately 160 pounds. The torpedo tail enclosed a 46-gallon gas tank for long distance racing. In 1924 Dubonnet entered the Hispano-Suiza in the Sicilian Targa Florio and he finished 6th ; he also finished 5th in the Coppa Florio and first in the over 4.5-liter class.

Engine:
6 cylinder, SOHC
4.33" bore, 5.51" stroke
487 cubic inch
200 hp. @ 3050 rpm.
Price when new: $15,000+
Body/Coachbuilder:
Nieuport Astra Aviation Company
Bois-Colombes, France
Manufacturer:
Sté. Française Hispano-Suiza
Bois-Colombes, France

**dydzi** · 02-08-2006, 06:40 AM

one of the nicest bodies of H6C. thanks for the pics

**Sauc3** · 02-08-2006, 07:02 AM

Some more information I just came across.

Founded at the beginning of the twentieth century in Barcelona by Swiss designer Marc Birkigt, in 1911 Hispano-Suiza moved to Paris, where most of it's subsequent cars were built. Eight years later, at the same time it was producing its famous aircraft engines, Hispano-Suiza threw itself into the production of automobile powerplants. Among the firm's many legendary machines was the 1926 H6 C. It was as grand as a Rolls-Royce and as sophisticated as a Mercedes-Benz... and even more beautiful.

Town and Country
Introduced alongside the existing smaller-engined H6 B, the H6 C quickly became the standard by which the other luxury high-performance cars were measured. Birkigt's vision for the car was as broad as it was sophisticated and mechanically accomplished. The H6 C was both civilised and savage, capable of deceptively restrained driving in town and thrill-seeking on the open road. Its many body types included a convertible limousine, a torpedo sport and a roadster (highly valued by collecters).

Magnificent Mechanics
The single-overhead-cam H6 C displaced eight liters and developed 145 hp at just 2,800 rpm. Finned, cast-iron, power drum brakes slowed it, and, although it had three gears, it needed only the first one to go from zero to 80mph.

Specifications
Performance:Top speed of 90 mph
Engine Type/Drivetrain:In-line,
overhead-cam 6-cylinder
Displacement: 7,890 cc (7.89 L)
Power Rating: 145 hp
Transmission: 3-speed manual + reverse
Chassis: Cast-iron drum brakes; 2,750 lbs.
Price (chassis only): $11,500 in 1926

**bennywidag** · 02-08-2006, 07:06 AM

Simply wow, that is a beautiful car, the back looks amazingly aero conscious for the time. Beautiful car, and excellent workmanship

cheers for sharing Sauc3