The illustrious Hispano-Suiza, favored by European Royalty, Indian Maharajahs, Hollywood stars, and industrial magnates, was not only impeccably engineered but also emulated shamelessly by leading car manufacturers worldwide.
While of Spanish origin, it was the French-built cars of Hispano-Suiza that catapulted it into the forefront of luxury automobile manufacturers post-World War I. During the war, Hispano engines powered some of the Allies’ finest fighter aircraft, and afterward, the brand adopted the stork emblem of French ‘ace’ Georges Guynemer’s Escadrille des Cicognes, further enhancing its prestige.
The post-war Hispano, powered by a Marc Birkigt-designed, 6,597cc, overhead-camshaft six, showcased the brand’s aviation-inspired expertise. With a seven-bearing design benefiting from pressure-fed lubrication, the engine boasted maximum power of 135bhp at 2,400rpm, offering impressive performance and a nearly flat torque curve.
The H6 debuted at the 1919 Paris Show, featuring an innovative four-wheel-braked chassis matched by state-of-the-art power. Its servo-assisted brakes were so exceptional that Rolls-Royce secured the rights to build them under license. The H6 excelled in performance, comfort, handling, and reliability, rivaling esteemed marques like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, and Isotta Fraschini.
With a superb finish and inherent glamour, the Hispano-Suiza H6 captured the imagination, earning mentions in popular novels and cementing its status as the pinnacle of automotive advancement until its cataloging ceased in 1933, with over 2,158 chassis completed.
Source: Bonhams
