1921 Hispano Suiza H6B

The name Hispano-Suiza translates from French to 'Spanish-Swiss,' as the French automobile was born from the genius and expertise of a Swiss engineer, Marc Birkigt, and was originally produced in Barcelona, Spain. The Hispano-Suizas built in France, however, would become the most legendary. They became the choice of European Royalty, Indian Maharajahs, Hollywood film stars, and industrial tycoons.

1921 Hispano Suiza H6B photo
Torpedo Phaeton by Chavet
Chassis #: 10150
Engine #: 300187
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
During World War I the Hispano engines powered some of the Allies' fighter aircraft, and post-war the marque would adopt the stork emblem of French 'ace' Georges Guynemer's Escadrille des Cicognes, whose SPAD biplanes had used Hispano's V8 aero engine. Following the war, Hispano drew heavily on the expertise and knowledge gained during the war, including the Marc Birkigt-designed, 6597c, overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine derived from one-half of a proposed V12 aero engine. The seven-bearing design employed pressure-fed lubrication and used aluminum-alloy pistons running in steel cylinder liners screwed into the light-alloy block. It developed 136 horsepower at 2,400 RPM, and a nearly flat torque curve allowed it to go from around 5-to-85 mph in top gear. The power was sent to the rear axle via a three-speed gearbox that was built in-unit with the engine. Braking power was supplied by servo-assisted four-wheel brakes that proved so effective that Rolls-Royce acquired the rights to build the design under license. The wheelbase was large enough to accommodate formal coachwork while its performance was impressive enough to appeal to the more sportingly inclined.

The company built a few prototype H6s at their Barcelona factory with one of the earliest examples being delivered to King Alfonso XIII in April of 1918, prior to proper production commencing at Bois-Colombes, Paris. The H6 was officially presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1919 and quickly established a reputation for its build quality, performance, powerful brakes, and exceptional comfort. They were the world's most advanced automobile at the time and for many years thereafter. Hispano-Suiza offered the H6 until 1933, by which time approximately 2,158 (some sources state 2,350 or 2,450 examples) chassis of all types had been built.

By 1924 the factory was offering an 8-liter model known as the 46CV H6C, with the 32 CV model becoming the H6B. The short-wheelbase H6Cs were later referred to as 'Monzas.'


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2020

Related Reading : Hispano Suiza H6 History

The Hispano-Suiza Company has created some of the most elegant, respected, and exquisite automobiles of all time. The designs and custom-built bodies were owned by the most elite and exclusive clientele. Among their most memorable creations were the H6 Series and the J-12. Among their accomplishments was the production of aircraft engines. During the First World War, they produced over 50,000 V-12....
Continue Reading >>

1921 Hispano Suiza H6B Vehicle Profiles

1921 Hispano Suiza H6B vehicle information
Torpedo Phaeton

Coachwork: Chavet
Chassis #: 10150
Engine #: 300187

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

H6

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
145.20 in.
6 cyl., 402.57 CID., 135.00hp

Related Automotive News

Hispano Suiza and the´Istituto Europeo di Design' in Turin design the sports car of the future

Hispano Suiza and the´Istituto Europeo di Design' in Turin design the sports car of the future

Hispano Suiza has worked with the students of the Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin (IED) to develop a creative project linked to the 120th anniversary of the brand, which will be celebrated in 2024. The third-year students of IED Turin Triennial...
10 things you didn´t know about Hispano Suiza

10 things you didn´t know about Hispano Suiza

Hispano Suiza was founded in 1904 by Damián Mateu 117 years later, the company is still in the hands of the same family. Hispano Suiza vehicles have been chosen by aristocrats, kings and artists, who valued the exclusivity, the design, the technology,...
Hispano Suiza: From legend to reality

Hispano Suiza: From legend to reality

Hispano Suiza built more than 12.000 luxury cars between 1904 and 1946. Its emblem, the stork, pays tribute to the squadron emblem painted on the side of a Hispano-Suiza powered fighter aircraft that had been flown during World War I Its current...
Bentley Global Debut Leads The 2019 Salon Privé With A Wealth Of The World'S Finest Motor Vehicles

Bentley Global Debut Leads The 2019 Salon Privé With A Wealth Of The World'S Finest Motor Vehicles

Blenheim Palace 5th September Salon Privé, firmly established as one of the longest-running and most successful motoring events in the UK, opened its doors today - Thursday 5th September - for the first of four days of automotive celebration. Salon...
Amelia Island Concours : Best in Show

Amelia Island Concours : Best in Show

The 21st Amelia Island Concours dElegance showcased over 250 vehicles which bravely ventured onto the show field under weather reports that threatened heavy downpours. In an effort to avoid the inevitable rain, the awards ceremony was truncated and...

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