1934 Hispano Suiza J12

Hispano-Suiza had Swiss and Spanish origins and a parallel manufacturing base in France. Marc Birkigt, a Swiss engineer, had designed the Barcelona-built Castro, which later became the basis for the first Hispano-Suiza of 1904. Through the years, he fostered a reputation for building everything from T-head fours, overhead-cam engines, a water-cooled V-8, and the H6.

Near the close of the 1920s, the multi-cylinder wars were escalating, as engines were growing larger and more powerful. Birkigt was determined to build one of his own, and in 1929 he began work on what would eventually become the J12, Type 68. The engine was a new design with 12 cylinders and pushrod overhead valves, twin alloy cylinder blocks mounted on a common crankcase, and a seven-main-bearing crankshaft with side-by-side connecting rods. It had a very large displacement size, nearly reaching 9.5 liters, and convex pistons resulted in horsepower of 220, and rubber engine mounts were adopted for the first time. A larger 11-liter V12 became available in 1935.

In the summer of 1931, a prototype chassis was tested, and the Type 68 was shown at the Paris Salon that autumn. On September 18, 1931, The Autocar road-tested the new J-12 at the Brooklands circuit where it did a complete lap at 95 mph, with a top speed of 108.67.

The Hispano-Suiza J12s was offered only as a rolling chassis available in a choice of four wheelbases. These over-engineered vehicles offered near-silent operation and were among the most expensive automobiles at the time.

The J12 sold well into 1938 until the company returned to aircraft production. During its production lifespan, a total of 120 examples were built.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Vanvooren
Chassis number: CH-14019

Introduced in 1931 at the Paris Auto Salon, the first Hispano-Suiza J12s were powered by a 9.4-liter V12, all-aluminum, overhead valve engine; a larger 11-liter V12 was offered in 1935. The J12 was offered only as a rolling chassis, with massive construction and a choice of four wheelbases. The cars were often fitted with every imaginable luxury, which added a significant amount of weight, requiring a very powerful engine to carry the stately coachwork. The J12 sold well into 1938 until the company returned to aircraft production. All Hispano-Suizas were coachbuilt by the best European carrosseries, including the Paris firm of Vanvooren. These were cars for the elite of society, and everyone was an individual custom coachwork creation.

Approximately 120 examples of the J12 were built between 1931 and 1938.

This J12 was commissioned by Belgian-born Baron Jean Empain, and was originally bodied by Fernandez & Darrin as a cabriolet, and then re-bodied three years later with the current Vanvooren cabriolet coachwork. Empain used the cabriolet extensively on his travels from Europe to Africa, but the car was appropriated by the Germans during World War II, coming to the United States after the war. The current owner purchased the car in 1998 and commissioned a total restoration.

Pillarless Saloon by Vanvooren

This 1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Pillarless Saloon was built for His Excellency S.E.M. Corbin, the French Ambassador to the Court of St. James. Between 1934 and the outbreak of war in 1939, it was his personal vehicle in London. As a measure of the special nature of this car, a similarly Vanvooren-bodied J12 was the chosen transportation of Hispano-Suiza's guiding genius, the brilliant Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt.

Cabriolet by Vanvooren

Sometimes called the Type 68, the J12 chassis offered by Hispano-Suiza was easily as good, if not better, than the best chassis offered by Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Isotta-Fraschini. At the heart of the J12 was its 10-liter, 60-degree V12 producing 250 BHP. The car was over-engineered to achieve near-silent operation, but that did make Hispano-Suiza one of the most expensive automotive purchases at the time; the chassis without a body cost over $10,000. This example with its exuberant paintwork was bodied by Vanvooren in Paris.

Drop Head Coupe by Fernandez & Darrin

The Hispano-Suiza J12 was one of the most expensive chassis of the 1930s, costing over $10,000. In many respects, compared to the cars from Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Isotta-Fraschini, the J12 was the superior design. The J12's 9.5-liter V12 engine could produce 220 brake horsepower, and the chassis was over-engineered to achieve a near-silent driving experience. The J12 was introduced at the 1931 Paris Auto Salon, and 120 were manufactured before production ceased in 1938.

The J12 was created for the discriminating buyer and priced well above what most could afford. The cars were fitted with every conceivable option of the time. The 575 cubic-inch V12 overhead valve engine produced 220 horsepower, which was needed considering that the car weighed over 5,000 pounds.

This car has simple but elegant lines, and it features interesting items like large Marchal headlamps, oval Scintilla taillamps, side spotlights, and a three-position Landau roof.

This is a magnificent survivor of only 120 originally manufactured in Bois Colombe, France. It has a 9424cc overhead valve 60-degree V12 9+ litre, 220 horsepower engine on a 147-inch wheelbase. The Fernandez and Darrin coachwork defines elegant simplicity. Body panels are relatively flat and devoid of complex curves and moldings, yet the overall lines are very graceful, from the continuous fender/running board line to the simple cut-down of the rear body section behind the doors. Other distinctive features include painted wheel covers, large Marchal headlamps, oval Scintilla tail lamp, side spotlight, Hispano-Suiza stork hood ornament, subtle V-windshield, delicate fender lamps, 3-position top landau arms and uncomplicated front and rear bumpers. Little is known of the early history but in October of 1954, Herbert Moller of Florida sold the car to Vernon Jarvis of Illinois. The car was acquired by the current collector in 1986.

Coupe de Ville by Fernandez & Darrin
Chassis number: 14036

This unique Hispano-Suiza Coupe de Ville was one of a pair of automobiles built for Anthony Gustav de Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild banking family in England. Designed for less formal occasions when driven by its owner, the teardrop-shaped rear of the car is nonetheless almost completely enclosed for passenger privacy. The powerful V12-engined J12 was one of the most expensive prewar chassis and the coachwork by Fernandez et Darrin was also finished with an absolute disregard for cost. Beauty, utility, and safety were the prime considerations.

Both one-offs were to be chauffeur driven and were built with no expense spared. The J12 chassis is powered by a 9.4-liter engine developing 220 horsepower and has a top speed of 100 mph. The other example is chassis number 15008 which is built on the K6 long chassis and is powered by a 5.2-liter 6-cylinder engine developing 120 horsepower. It has a 146.5-inch wheelbase and is capable of 88 mph. The two cars have identical color finishes and complementary design styles.

The French automaker Hispano-Suiza was among the elite in luxury car production and the leaders of style, innovation, and design. The reputation was solidified in history with the legendary H6 series including the H6B and H6C. Their destiny in history as one of the greatest producers of automobiles during the 1930s was secured with the introduction of the J-12 Type 68 in 1931. That was the same year that Hispano-Suiza united Swiss design, French production facilities, and the Spanish capital.

The J12 was created for the discriminating buyer and priced well above what most could afford. The J12 was offered only as a rolling chassis, with a choice of four wheelbase sizes. The large 'square' V12 engine (a long-stroke engine was optional) was an engine masterpiece, offering superb performance for its weight. The coachwork was left to the customer's discretion and most examples carried very luxurious and elegant accommodations.

The engine used in the H6C had been modified throughout the years, but by now, a replacement was needed. The displacement had been increased to the point where more cylinders were required. The company was familiar with V12 engines, as they had designed a V12 unit for use in an aircraft as early as 1918. The engine was used during the First World War but then put aside when peacetime resumed. From 1919 through 1923, the company exported a few V8 aircraft engines. They produced a 60-degree V12 type 12jb beginning in 1924. It was rated at around 400 horsepower. It was enlarged in 1926, becoming the 12Hb, and offering over 500 horsepower. It was improved even further in 1928, becoming the 12Nb and outputting 720 horsepower.

Development began on a V12 automobile engine near the close of the 1920s with the production version being introduced at the 1931 Paris Motorshow. The 575 cubic-inch V12 overhead valve engine offered 220 horsepower which was adequate to carry the vehicles which often weighed between 5000 - 6500 pounds. Production lasted from 1931 through 1938 with around 120 examples produced.

Wheelbase sizes included 135, 146, 150, and 158 inches.

by Dan Vaughan