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1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 Convertible Sedan

The Hispano-Suiza J12 made its debut in the early 1930s. The J12 was powered by a 70-pound, 7-main bearing crankshaft, and featured fully adjustable servo-assisted brakes, dual Scintilla magnetos, vitreous enameled manifolds, and aluminum castings with impossibly precise tolerances. The engine was operated by a pushrod valve arrangement rather than the overhead camshaft found on the company's earlier engines.

This car is chassis number 14018 and still wears its original open bodywork by Saoutchik. The original owner, believed to be a Czech film star, took ownership of the car on December 30th of 1936. The early history of the car is not known. The earliest known history goes back to Romania, where the car was used in the making of a motion picture. After the movie, a problem arose within the 12-cylinder engine and it was sent back to France for repairs. The car, which was then reportedly owned by an Englishman, was parked at Sport-Auto, a specialist garage.

In the early 1960s, M. Gérard Crombac, the editor of the French motor magazine Sport-Auto, purchased it. At the time, he also owned an H6B. A short time later, he purchased a second J12, which was left in a static state in the Sport-Auto garage and for years the two sat alongside one another.

M Crombac had been able to purchase two open J12s, but was unable to properly restore the car. In the early 1970s, he sold the Saoutchik-bodied car to Charles Howard.

A short time later, the J12 was sold to Michel Seydoux. On April 28, 1985, the current owner purchased the car out of France and had it shipped home to the United States. It has spent the past 25 years with its current caretaker. A short time after arriving in the United States, it was treated to a complete mechanical rebuild in preparation for high-speed touring. Since that time, it has participated in Hispano-Suiza Society Rallies in Spain and in California and has completed two CCCA CARavans.

This car is one of only nine original open Hispano-Suiza J12s still known to exist.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction in Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $154,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010

Provenance *
* Please note, dates are approximate

2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,500,000-USD $3,500,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,040,000

2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,400,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,540,000

1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Hispano Suiza J-12

(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 Berline by Fernandez et Darrin
Chassis#: 13041
Sold for USD$764,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
 
1936 HISPANO-SUIZA J12 CABRIOLET
Chassis#: 14018
Sold for USD$2,040,000
  2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  
1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 d'Ieteren Frères Cabriolet
Chassis#: 13033
Sold for USD$1,050,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  
1936 Hispano-Suiza Type 68 J12 Cabriolet
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction
1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  
1936 Hispano Suiza J-12
Sold for USD$880,000
  2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company
1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 image  

Hispano Suiza J-12s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1936 Hispano Suiza J-12's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High

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1936 Hispano Suiza J-12

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Hispano Suiza J-12 model years

1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 Vehicle Profiles

1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis #: 14018
1936 Hispano Suiza J-12 vehicle information
Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: D'Ieteren
Chassis #: 13033A
Engine #: 321113

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.