Founded in 1904 this Spanish / Swiss company began its life making large capacity automobile and aircraft engines in Barcelona under the direction of Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt. The emphasis was on engineering excellence and high quality of materials employed as well as clever design techniques.Recognizing that there was a demand for their cars from wealthy European industrialists as well as from the likes of Indian Maharajahs and Hollywood glitterati, the Hispano-Suiza operations in Paris offered their discerning clients a choice of coachwork to fit over the running chassis, and in 1919 the company announced their H6 model with a six cylinder engine and a capacity of 6.6 litres. This was to become their mainstay power unit up until the early 1930s, and as is well known, they also went on to build the massive J12 engine with its 9 litres of cylinder capacity.

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The model offered here was delivered to its first owner in 1935. This was the only model not designed by Birkigt and the last one produced by the Hispano-Suiza before the start of the Civil War when the factory was taken by the comitees. 

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Spanish Civil War survivor. Used by Durruti a well known general. One of the rare examples still with the Republican flag in the emblem. 

Extensive historical records. Used many times in Spanish Civil War movies.

Original car, perfect to be shown in the "Preservation Class" in any major Concours d'Elegance

Founded in 1904 this Spanish / Swiss company began its life making large capacity automobile and aircraft engines in Barcelona under the direction of Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt. The emphasis was on engineering excellence and high quality of materials employed as well as clever design techniques.Recognizing that there was a demand for their cars from wealthy European industrialists as well as from the likes of Indian Maharajahs and Hollywood glitterati, the Hispano-Suiza operations in Paris offered their discerning clients a choice of coachwork to fit over the running chassis, and in 1919 the company announced their H6 model with a six cylinder engine and a capacity of 6.6 litres. This was to become their mainstay power unit up until the early 1930s, and as is well known, they also went on to build the massive J12 engine with its 9 litres of cylinder capacity.

The model offered here was delivered to its first owner in 1935. This was the only model not designed by Birkigt and the last one produced by the Hispano-Suiza before the start of the Civil War when the factory was taken by the comitees. 

The T60 was the first Hispano-Suiza not to be de- signed by Swiss engineer Birkigt. It incorporated a range of innovations, including lateral camshafts and cylinder head valves operated by tappets and rockers. It was also the first with the steering whe- el on the left, as previous models had all had the steering wheel on the right. The first version of this model hit the market in 1932, as a more rational sa- loon compared to the brand’s luxury models. Nevertheless, the model we drive here was the T60 RL, an updated version of the original, characterised by a somewhat more streamlined body. The car was originally bought by a family from Manre- sa, Barcelona, who barely had time to enjoy their new automobile. When Civil War broke out after a savage military uprising, the car was requisitioned by Republican militias. The Hispano-Suiza quickly became tragically famous among the local population, as the Republicans, many uneducated anarchists, began a brutal witch hunt against businessmen and clergy.
It is one of the few Hispano Suiza to retain the flag of the Spanish Republic on its badge.
However, the car soon acquired an even more important role in the war. It ended up with the followers of Buenaventura Durruti, one of the leading figures of the Spanish anarchist movement and its trade union organisation, the CNT. The celebrated Durruti Column requisitioned several top-end cars during the war, including a Packard and our Hispano Suiza. In November 1936, Durruti was hit by a bullet during fighting at the Complutense University campus in Madrid. Some historians say that he died in the back seat of the Hispano Suiza, while others maintain that it was in the Packard, the Hispano Suiza being driven by his escort. In any case, Durruti did not reach the Ritz Hotel, where the Republicans had their field hospital, alive.
The car was not recovered by its owners until the end of the war, but it must have been in a terrible state after more than three years at the front.
Nowadays, the car retains an interesting sheen and is very much in demand for audio-visual productions about the Civil War. This year it featured in a film about the life of Catalonian president Lluis Companys.
In spite of its age and all that it has been through, its 6-cylinder engine is still full of pep, and driving it spirits you back to the days of the fratricidal war that tore Spain apart in the 1930s. An exceptional car with an exceptional history.

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A huge piece of Spanish and European history at a very reasonable price.

 

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