1926 Hispano Suiza H6B Torpedo

The Hispano-Suiza Company, which translates from French to 'Spanish-Swiss' was born from the genius of a Swiss engineer, Marc Birkigt, and originally produced in Spain. It would, however, be the Hispano-Suizas from France that would become legendary. The H6B model, in particular, had an aircraft-derived six-cylinder that employed machined steel cylinders with integral combustion chambers in a cast aluminum block and with two valves per cylinder driven by a single overhead camshaft and a pressure-lubricated crankshaft turning on seven main bearings. The chassis was given advanced servo-assisted four-wheel brakes and the bodies were designed and built by some of the finest carrosserie's in Europe and abroad.

This H6B Torpedo with coachwork by Weymann is believed to have been originally delivered to H. Rothbarth, a banker and director of Weymann's Motor Bodies of Addlestone, Surrey, the British licensees of Frenchman Charles Weymann's innovative fabric body method.

The Torpedo Coachwork employs a cotton-padded wooden framework that is covered in outer panels of colored vinyl-like material and produces a matte-finished body that is light and durable. This is one of only two known Hispano-Suizas with fabric bodywork.

This example has been in the care of its present owner for over 5 decades. It was given a restoration that was completed in 2011. The color was changed from green to white, which was performed in 1961. Other than that change, the car appears today as it did when first delivered in 1926. The car has its original, unrestored trunk, fitted luggage, and stork mascot.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014