1911 Hispano Suiza King Alfonso XIII

Hispano-Suiza was an automobile manufacturer founded in 1904 by Marc Birkigt and Damián Mateu. Its origins, however, date farther back to 1898 when Emilio de la Cuadra opened an electric car factory. One- and two-cylinder powered cars designed by Marc Birkigt, the company's head engineer, were constructed at the turn of the century. Birkigt and his business partner acquired the company in 1904, renaming it 'Hispano-Suiza,' which translates to Spanish-Swiss, owing to Birkigt's involvement and Swiss nationality. Success was aided by the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, who was a devoted Hispano-Suiza owner. He would ultimately have over 30 examples in his fleet, which led to the naming of the model after the marque's biggest patron.

Hispano-Suiza automobiles were renowned for their performance, capable of carrying large and luxurious coachwork, and aptly suited for motorsport competition. Many examples were entered in various road races around the world, and Mr. Birkigt formally entered the factory into these forays and consistently improved the performance of his team cars.

Intended for voiturette racing, Birkigt developed a long-stroke, T-head, cast-iron four-cylinder engine that developed 64 horsepower from a little over 3.6 liters of displacement. One example won the 1910 Coupe de l'Auto race in Boulogne, France, with Frenchman Paul Zuccarelli at the wheel. Racing success led to strong customer demand, and Hispano-Suiza chose to name this new model Alfonso XIII after King Alfonso. In stock configuration, these models could achieve 75 mph, with 70 mph achievable in racing guise. The Alfonso XIII became one of Europe's first purpose-built sports cars.

by Dan Vaughan

Double Berline by Alin & Liautard
Chassis number: 718

Automakers have always viewed racing as a means to improve, prove and promote their automobiles. Hispano-Suiza was no different and - from early on - enjoyed a rather successful racing career. One of the primary in-house promoters for racing was Hispano-Suiza's engineer, Mark Birkigt. Enjoyed a string of racing successes, the company was rewarded with strong sales. The 45-CR 'race' version, so named because it was officially rated at 45 horsepower, soon saw a road-going production version marketed as the Type Alfonso XIII.

Alfonso XIII, the King of Spain, was an enthusiastic motorist and purchased the first of many Hispano-Suizas that he would own in 1905 and would ultimately have over 30 examples in his fleet. With such a strong promoter of the brand, the company named the model after the marque's biggest patron.

The Birkigt-designed cast-iron Type 15T four-cylinder engine displaced a little over 3.6 liters and offered 64 horsepower. The top speed was in the neighborhood of 80 miles per hour.

This example, chassis number 718, is a Colonial chassis. Only four examples were ever built, and it features larger diameter wheels and a lengthened chassis.

In the mid-1980s, Patricio Chadwick and Emilio Polo were in Seville, Spain, when they met Marquis de Sanlucar de Barrameda of Sanlucar Andalucia. There, they were able to persuade them to sell his grandfather's Alonso XIII. Chassis number 718 was a complete rolling chassis with the remains of a touring body. Also included in the purchase was the second body - a seasonal winter body. It was a Double Berline body by Carrosserie Alin & Liautard. The body had not been moved in 40 years, which results in its wonderful state of preservation.

Over the years, the chassis and suspension have been sympathetically restored and rebuilt as necessary. The finish of the chassis was done to match the patina of the body. The engine and transmission received the same treatment.

The car has its original Bleriot two-bulb headlamps, possibly an early hi-beam/low-beam setup, with Ducellier cowl lamps, a large roof rack, and a fold-out windshield. The original interior is preserved for being almost a century old. The dash still houses all of its original instruments.

The body has two separate compound curves making up the roof sections, which almost resemble ceiling vaults. The windows are framed in wood. Other features found on the car are its original chassis plate, and a plate that reads Radiadores Vintro Barcelona on the upper radiator tank, intricate brass locks on the original Hispano-Suiza center caps, and black wire-spoke wheels.

The 3620cc four-cylinder engine offers 64 horsepower and is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. There are rear mechanical drum brakes and semi-elliptical leaf springs making up the suspension.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the RM Auction's Amelia Island sale. It was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $1,000,000. Bidding reached $575,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. The vehicle would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Racing Voiturette
Chassis number: 814

Francisco De La Rocha had nearly forty Hispano-Suiza cars at the time of his passing in 1996. His collection was dispersed by his family, and this particular chassis was acquired by Patricio Chadwick, along with a large collection of spare parts. In 2001, this chassis was purchased by collector Jorge Fernandez, who commissioned a restoration performed by Chadwick's Barcelona shop. Marque historian Emilio Polo was tasked with researching correct details.

A body was created in the appearance of an Alfonso XIII racing voiturette, and the engine was a Hispano-Suiza type 15 four-cylinder unit. Its faux-patinated finish is evocative of the Alfonso XIII racing example owned by Albert Roulinat of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, a gentleman driver in Spain.

The Mullin collection acquired this Hispano-Suiza via French classic car specialist Charles Bronson in 2004.

This voiturette-style Hispano-Suiza is powered by a 3,620cc T-head inline four-cylinder engine with a single Zenith Sidedraft carburetor and delivers an estimated 65 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual gearbox, two-wheel cable-operated drum brakes, a live rear axle, and a solid front axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and friction shock absorbers.

by Dan Vaughan

Racing Voiturette
Chassis number: 814

One of the most prestigious names of Edwardian motoring, Hispano-Suiza established itself at the pinnacle of automotive engineering with a reputation that was arguably only matched by Rolls-Royce. This reputation was hard-won by the talents of Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt whose successful development of Hispano-Suiza race cars led to the Type 15, later becoming known as Alfonso XIII after the King of Spain became enamored with the model. Fitted with a 3.6-liter, four-cylinder 15T engine producing 64 horsepower at 2,300 RPM, Hispano-Suiza made race cars as marketing tools to get the word out - win on Sunday, sell on Monday was even more of a thing 100 years ago.

This car is one of the race cars offered to the public as a street car, the 15T. With 64 h,p it propelled the car to 80 mph. In race trim, it was capable of 90 mph. The vehicle would rival other race cars and arguably lay claim to the title of the first 'sports car.' This car is an exact re-creation built from an original engine and chassis.

The four-cylinder T-head, 3620cc engine produces 65 horsepower and is paired with a three-speed manual transmission. It has a steel frame, wire wheels, and mechanical rear brakes.