The Spanish torpedo born in 1924 wins the title of “Best in show” in the traditional competition of elegance of Pebble Beach. Here is its story
The 74th edition of the Competition of elegance of Pebble Beach ended with the awarding of the “Best in Show” award to Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo. Commissioned in 1924 by the pilot André Dubonnet, this specimen was set up specifically for long -lasting road races. Like the Targa Florioin which Dubonnet ran in 1924 precisely with this Hispano-Suiza, cutting the finish line into sixth absolute position. For this reason, it is one of the only three specimens in the world of the H6C series with tank increased by 236 liters and radiators repositioned for greater cooling.
Technical specifications
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This specimen of Hispano-Suiza H6C is among the best known in the world among the admirers of the Spanish manufacturer, first of all because of the original bodywork. Made in mahogany From the Nieuport-Astra, adopts a conformation directly inspired by the aeronautical panorama of the time. Being an H6C, under the hood it mounts a engine six -cylinder in -linein this case in its variant to greater cubature from 8.0 liters of displacement. Also in this case, the inspiration in the design phase comes from the world of aeronautical pioneering of those years: this six -cylinder, in fact, derives from a V12 developed by Mark Birkigt to be mounted on an airplane.
history
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After participating in the 1924 Targa Florio, the Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieupport-Astra Torpedo was converted for use on the roadby adding the windshield for example, a door on the passenger side, fenders and front headlights. In 1925 he was sold to a new English owner, who used it to circulate on the roads of London, and at the outbreak of the Second World War It is kept in a deposit, breaking through a whisker to a bombing, reporting only small damage to the tail. In the 1950 The car is put in operation and transferred to Wales, and then be purchased five years later by an English collector. And here, theanecdote: During his journey to the house on board his new Hispano-Suiza, the owner stops to refuel, asking the addict of a service station of Fill the tank. After a long stop at the distributor bar, it comes out and with great surprise he finds the employee still intent on pumping manually fuel into the car. The tank equippedin fact, was still the one from 236 liters for the Targa Florio. In addition to the damage, then, the mockery: not having enough money at the moment to be able to pay the refueling, the new owner of the Hispano Suiza had to Give your watch at the service station. In 1964 the car was then sent to the United States to start its new life as a collector car, “passing” from a multi-milionary garage to the other more numerous exhibitions in the main reviews for classic cars. Including the Competition of elegance of Pebble Beach of 1987, where he won the most significant “Hispano-Suiza” award. Event where he will return 35 years later, in 2022, to be beaten at Ben 9,245,000 dollarsand again in 2025, winning the “best in show” in the elegance competition.