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.

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 Dan Vaughan

Torpedo Phaeton by Chavet
Chassis number: 10150
Engine number: 300187

The Hispano Suiza history is complex, undergoing name changes, bankruptcy, ownership changes, and manufacturing location changes with cars being manufactured at various times in Spain and in France. They were also known for their aircraft engines, trucks, and buses. The ultimate model was the J12, a luxury car powered by a 574 cubic-inch V12 producing 220 horsepower, made from 1931 to 1938.

Emilio de la Cuadra started with electric automobile production in Barcelona under the name 'La Cuadra.' In Paris, de la Cuadra met the talented Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt (who lived 1978-1953) and hired him to work for the company in Spain. In 1902 the ownership changed hands to J. Castro and became 'Fabrica Hispano-Suiza de Automoviles' (Spanish-Swiss Car Factory). In 1911 a new factory, known as Hispano France, was set up in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret. In 1914 they moved to larger factories at Bois-Colombes and took the name 'Hispano-Suiza.'

The production of the H6B series began in 1919. The engine, a 6-cylinder overhead cam aluminum with steel liners, was developed from the company's experience with aircraft engines manufactured during World War I. This car has four-wheel brakes with servo assist. Today portions of Hispano-Suiza exist as part of the French SAFRAN Group, while the Spanish portion of the firm in 1946 sold their assets to Enasa, the maker of Pegaso trucks and sports cars.

This car is a 1921 model H6B manufactured in France. It has a 403 cubic-inch six-cylinder overhead cam engine producing 135 horsepower with a three-speed transmission. It uses the servo-assisted brake invented by Hispano Suiza and later licensed to Rolls-Royce. The seven-passenger dual cowl tourer body was built by coachbuilder Marcel Chavet, a small French custom coachbuilder, and named a Torpedo.

This car's original owner, Horace Dodge, Jr., sold the car in 1962. He had taken delivery of the car in June 1921 and would keep it for the next 41 years. It was housed at the Dodge home in Grosse Pointe and Dodge Boat Works on Lycoming in Detroit. Dodge sold the car in 1962 to Waino Husko, a General Motors designer. In the 1970's he purchased the Starkweather Farmhouse and barn in Romeo, Michigan. This is where the car was found in 2004. The car remains totally original with the exception of modifications made by Horace Dodge Jr. This includes a Dodge boat steering wheel, Zenith marine carburetors, and a custom intake manifold.

The odometer indicates just 25,000 miles.

Chuck Reimel, the current and fourth owner of the car, has had the motor rebuilt and has maintained the car in its original, preserved condition.

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 engines for aircraft. From 1919 through 1923 Hispano-Suiza produced an eight-cylinder aircraft engine.

The beginning of the company Fabrica La Hispano Suiza de Automovils began in 1904 but their existence and experience in the automotive community began six years prior. Emilio de la Cuadra created the La Cuadra Company in 1898 focusing on the production of the electric automobile. Marc Birkigt, a French engineer, joined the Barcelona, Spain-based company shortly after its inception. In the very early 1900's, the La Cuadra Company began production of a gasoline-powered engine that featured a shaft drive instead of a chain, a revolutionary design at the time. Their fortune shortly changed and the company was forced to close. The Fabrica La Hispano-Suiza de Automovils succeeded the Castro Company, continuing production in Spain and employing the ingenious designer, Birkigt. The name was later changed to Fabrica La Hispano Suiza de Automóviles. The very early engines were four cylinders comprised of a 3.8 and 7.4-liter capacity. Two six-cylinder engines were introduced shortly after the fours.

In 1911 a factory in Paris was opened to satisfy the demands of their French clientele. A larger factory was built three years later in Bois-Colombes. The production of these facilities focused primarily on the H6B, a large, luxurious, and desirable automobile.

The H6 was revolutionary, offering speed, luxury, quality, and an unequaled level of craftsmanship. Rolls Royce, Isotta, and Bentley did not offer all of these qualities in their automobiles until the 1920's. The H6 models were expensive, often the most expensive vehicle in all of Europe. The production of the H6 began at the close of the 1920's and was powered by a six-cylinder, 6.5-liter overhead-camshaft engine capable of producing 135 horsepower. The camshaft was shaft-driven and operated the valves, a configuration that was uncommon at the time. The engine was placed in the front and powered the rear wheels. Top speed was achieved at around 85 miles per hour. Even though a V-12 cylinder was available, Birkigt felt that a single bank of the 12-cylinder engine was appropriate to power their vehicles. The suspension was comprised of a semi-elliptic leaf spring and a live axle. Drum brakes with a power-assisted servo-brake system provided ample stopping power. The H6 Series was built in Paris and later in the Czech Republic.

As was customary at the time, Hispano Suiza delivered the rolling chassis H6 to custom coachbuilders for assembly. This resulted in unique and custom bodies that complimented the power, ingenuity, and performance of the components of the chassis. Only the finest coachbuilders were commissioned to build the bodies.

In 1932 production of the H6B ended, and in 1933, the production of the H6C began. The H6C was powered by a 7983 cc engine, the result of modifying the cylinder size of the straight-six cylinder powerplant. The need to increase the horsepower of the cars was two-fold, the first being the need to stay competitive when compared with its competition, the second being the fact that the custom-built bodies had become heavier to keep pace with luxury. The need to offer an even larger engine became apparent. There was little room left in the modification of the six-cylinder power plant, so Birkigt decided that a V-12 would be more appropriate and allow the ability for future modifications. The result was the T68, also known as the J-12.

In 1924 Hispano-Suiza produced the Type 12Jb V-12 aircraft engine that produced 400 horsepower. In 1926 the engine was enlarged, dubbed the 12Hb, and produced over 500 horsepower. In 1928 the 12Nb version was introduced, a result of enlarging the engine further, resulting in 720 horsepower.

Hispano took over Ballot in 1930, the producers of a 4580cc Junior six-cylinder engine. In 1934, the Junior was replaced with the K6 model.

The 1930's brought The Great Depression. The automobile manufacturers most affected were the luxury automobile makers. Their short-list of clientele became even shorter which meant competition was fierce and change was necessary. Many luxury manufacturers began producing small, less expensive automobiles that could continue to be sold and still generate income. Hispano Suiza, however, did not change and continued to produce its large, powerful, and luxurious automobiles. The Type 68 was introduced featuring a 9.5-liter V-12 engine. As the years progressed, so did the engine capacity which was further enlarged to 11.3 liters. The company had stayed in business for most of the Depression but was forced to close its doors in 1938.

The automobiles produced by Hispano Suiza were unmatched. No expenses were spared on their creation resulting in some of the greatest automobile creations of all time.

by Dan Vaughan