A 1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo took the Best of Show award at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last month.
This is the third time that Hispano Suiza has achieved the highest distinction at the most prestigious classic car event in the US, a country with which the brand has a long-standing connection.
The Hispano beat out exquisite rivals in a 1937 Lancia Astura Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet and a 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible to capture the top prize.
The innovative and artisanal spirit of the Hispano Suiza lives on today in the brand’s range of electric hypercars, led by the advanced Carmen Sagrera: an exclusive 1,114 hp vehicle, unveiled last year to mark the company’s 120th anniversary. The range is completed by the Carmen and Carmen Boulogne models, two hypercars that combine design, luxury, and performance at the highest level.
The story of a unique model
This iconic Hispano Suiza model, commissioned by aviator and racing driver André Dubonnet, embodies the values that have distinguished the brand since its inception: technical innovation, revolutionary lightness, and a timeless, elegant, and unique design, for which the brand’s current models continue to be recognized around the world.
As a racing driver, Dubonnet was looking for a car that was competitive and durable, but also elegant, capable of standing out in an environment marked by the fierce rivalry of the most popular races of the time, such as the legendary Targa Florio, one of the most demanding endurance tests of the era. With this goal in mind, he turned to Hispano Suiza, which, in collaboration with aircraft manufacturer Nieuport-Astra, created a version that would go down in history as the “Tulipwood Torpedo” due to its extensive use of wood and the unique shape of its bodywork.
The basis of the model was a Hispano-Suiza H6C chassis equipped with an eight-liter overhead cam engine, corresponding to the then-new Type Sport. In its surbaissé (lowered) configuration, it incorporated a lower radiator than other H6Cs and a larger fuel tank, designed to reliably tackle demanding endurance rallies.
An aeronautically inspired bodywork by Nieuport-Astra was mounted on this frame, constructed from extremely thin strips of mahogany measuring just 3 millimeters, assembled using thousands of aluminum rivets and varnished by hand. The result was an extraordinarily light structure—weighing just 70 kg—a revolutionary achievement at a time when heavier materials were the norm for frames. Thanks to this innovation, the car not only stood out for its elegance, but also allowed Dubonnet to compete head-to-head with other brands and finish in a creditable sixth place in the Targa Florio and fifth in the Coppa Florio.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Hispano Suiza is a historic Spanish automobile brand owned by four generations of the Suqué Mateu family. Hispano Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. was founded in Barcelona in 1904 by Damián Mateu, with the help of technical director and engineer Marc Birkigt, also a partner in the company. Between 1904 and 1946, Hispano Suiza manufactured more than 12,000 high-performance luxury vehicles and 50,000 aircraft engines.
After its use in competition, Dubonnet adapted it for road use with a windshield, headlights, and other details. Shortly afterwards, he decided to sell it, and the model changed hands frequently among collectors from different parts of the world. Despite being slightly damaged in World War II and the passage of time, its original condition has been preserved. For this reason, it is no surprise that in 2022 it was auctioned for a record price.