1924 Hispano Suiza H6B Nieuport-Astra Torpedo

The 'Tulipwood' Hispano-Suiza was commissioned by the aperitif scion Andre Dubonnet and constructed on one of three factory-built lowered 8-liter H6C chassis, which also had a lowered radiator and 52-gallon fuel tank. The aeronautically inspired bodywork was designed by Henri Chasseriaux and built by aircraft manufacturer Nieuport-Astra of Argenteuil, with delicate 1/8-inch-thick strips of mahogany formed over an inner structure of 3/4-inch ribs, secured by thousands of aluminum rivets. This featherweight body reportedly weighed 160 pounds, enabling Dubonnet to finish 6th in the Targa Florio and 5th in the Coppa Florio in 1924. During the 1950s or 1960s this car was modified with all-wood, teardrop-shaped fenders. The current owners orchestrated a restoration, removing the modified wood fenders and installing new metal fenders that match those on the car in the 1920s.