1925 Hispano Suiza H6B Convertible Sedan

This Hispano Suiza was purchased under order number 1854 through the agent or dealer 'Saint Didier' and sold to a 'M. de Surville' on January 21st of 1925. It wore coachwork by Parisian firm Belvallette in the transformable cabriolet style which means it has a three-position top that can allow the vehicle to be a fully open convertible sedan, closed limousine, or 'open-drive' town car.

It is believed that the car remained in the same family for the majority of its existence. In 1984, after nearly six decades, it appeared for sale in solid unrestored condition and carrying the initials 'JS' on its rear doors and registration plates 30Y69. Claude Decoster of Neuilly acquired the car in 1990 and commissioned a complete restoration by Andre Le Coq. After the work was complete, it received the Breitling Grand Prix de l'Innovation at the Louis Vuitton Classic at the Bagatelle in 1992.

A short time later the car came to the United States and into the Arturo Keller Collection in California. It would remain in their care for the next 15 years. In 2007 it returned to Europe and into the care of a German owner. In 2015, it returned to the United States when it was purchased by Jules 'J' Heumann. Mr. Heumann installed new high-compression 7:1 pistons and rings, valves, valve springs, tappets, and keepers, as well as grinding and hard-chroming the camshaft, during a full engine rebuild. The original transmission received a Laycock-type overdrive unit, an electronic ignition was installed, and the brakes and suspension received maintenance.

After the work was completed, the car was driven on the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic between Seattle and Pebble Beach.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020

The Hispano-Suiza H6 was introduced in 1919, the first time the radiator emblem 'La Cigogne Volante' appeared, the insignia of Captain Georges Guynemer's Stork Squadron of Hispano-Suiza-engined Spads. It was the work of Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt who had proven its technical prowess with the Georges Guynemer's 'Escadrille Cigogne' (Stork Squadron), of Hispano-Suiza-engined Spad fighter planes in World War I. The H6 cars were built in Paris at the Bois Colombes factory and were followed by the H6B model for the 1922 season.

The H6 employed a six-cylinder engine that had a 6597cc capacity which would become the mainstay of production for the next fifteen years. The engine was given a three-speed gearbox and servo-assisted brakes.

The Hispano-Suiza H6 and H6B models would become popular with the wealthy and influential individuals of that era. They offered refined engineering and exquisite coachwork that was hand-tailored for their clientele.

This particular example wears a fully convertible body that was created by Belvallette of Paris. It has its original body and engine number, and it still wears its original license plate designation of '30Y69'. It was purchased under order number 1854 through the agent or dealer 'Saint Didier' and sold to a 'M. de Surville' on 21 January 1925.

The early history of this vehicle is not fully known. It is believed to have remained in the same family ownership for about sixty years. If this is the case, there would be very few public transactions and possibly few documented public appearances. In 1984, it was sold at a public auction in Paris. At the time, it was in unrestored condition and could have been described as the epitome of a 'barn discovery' automobile.

Six years later, having changed very little, it was offered at a second Paris auction in December of 1990. Again, the car was in very original condition. The information from that auction stated that the car had received its last oil change in '1939 at 86930km. The counter indicates 89067km.'

M. Claude Decoster of Neuilly had the highest bid at the second Paris auction. He subsequently commissioned Paris restorer Andre Le Coq to restore the car. Upon completion, the car was shown at the Louis Vuitton Classic at the Bagatelle in Paris in 1992, where it was awarded the Breitling 'Grand Prix de l'Innovation'.

A short time later, the car crossed the Atlantic and joined the Arturo Keller collection where it remained until 2007 when it joined another important collection, returning back to Europe.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2015