1921 Hispano Suiza H6B Torpedo Phaeton

The Hispano Suiza history is complex, undergoing name changes, bankruptcy, ownership changes, and manufacturing location changes with cars being manufactured at various times in Spain and in France. They were also known for their aircraft engines, trucks, and buses. The ultimate model was the J12, a luxury car powered by a 574 cubic-inch V12 producing 220 horsepower, made from 1931 to 1938.

Emilio de la Cuadra started with electric automobile production in Barcelona under the name 'La Cuadra.' In Paris, de la Cuadra met the talented Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt (who lived 1978-1953) and hired him to work for the company in Spain. In 1902 the ownership changed hands to J. Castro and became 'Fabrica Hispano-Suiza de Automoviles' (Spanish-Swiss Car Factory). In 1911 a new factory, known as Hispano France, was set up in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret. In 1914 they moved to larger factories at Bois-Colombes and took the name 'Hispano-Suiza.'

The production of the H6B series began in 1919. The engine, a 6-cylinder overhead cam aluminum with steel liners, was developed from the company's experience with aircraft engines manufactured during World War I. This car has four-wheel brakes with servo assist. Today portions of Hispano-Suiza exist as part of the French SAFRAN Group, while the Spanish portion of the firm in 1946 sold their assets to Enasa, the maker of Pegaso trucks and sports cars.

This car is a 1921 model H6B manufactured in France. It has a 403 cubic-inch six-cylinder overhead cam engine producing 135 horsepower with a three-speed transmission. It uses the servo-assisted brake invented by Hispano Suiza and later licensed to Rolls-Royce. The seven-passenger dual cowl tourer body was built by coachbuilder Marcel Chavet, a small French custom coachbuilder, and named a Torpedo.

This car's original owner, Horace Dodge, Jr., sold the car in 1962. He had taken delivery of the car in June 1921 and would keep it for the next 41 years. It was housed at the Dodge home in Grosse Pointe and Dodge Boat Works on Lycoming in Detroit. Dodge sold the car in 1962 to Waino Husko, a General Motors designer. In the 1970's he purchased the Starkweather Farmhouse and barn in Romeo, Michigan. This is where the car was found in 2004. The car remains totally original with the exception of modifications made by Horace Dodge Jr. This includes a Dodge boat steering wheel, Zenith marine carburetors, and a custom intake manifold.

The odometer indicates just 25,000 miles.

Chuck Reimel, the current and fourth owner of the car, has had the motor rebuilt and has maintained the car in its original, preserved condition.