1930 Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupé Limousine by Binder

1930 Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupé Limousine by Henri Binder

Chassis No.: 12306
Engine No.: 10893 (replacement unit)
Coachbuilder: Henri Binder
Year: 1930
Body Style: Coupé Limousine
Engine: 6,597 cc SOHC inline 6-cylinder
Horsepower: 135 bhp
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Brakes: Four-wheel servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes
Suspension: Semi-elliptical leaf springs, solid front and live rear axles
Wheelbase: 3,690 mm

Overview

A crowning achievement of French luxury engineering, this 1930 Hispano-Suiza H6B represents the pinnacle of Classic Era elegance. Known as Le Roi de la Route ("The King of the Road"), Hispano-Suiza became the marque of choice for industrial magnates, royalty, and visionaries including Edsel Ford, Woolf Barnato, and Pablo Picasso.

This particular example, chassis 12306, is a superb and highly formal Coupé Limousine bodied by Henri Binder, designed specifically to be chauffeur-driven. Its luxurious and stately presence is emphasized by refined features such as a folding chauffeur’s roof, opening windshield, and a sliding sunshine roof in the rear compartment.

Engineering & Performance

The H6B was famed for its aircraft-derived inline-six, designed by Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt.
This version boasts:

• Machined steel cylinders integrated into an aluminium block

• SOHC with two valves per cylinder

• Pressure-lubricated crankshaft with seven main bearings

• An output of 135 bhp, delivering exceptional torque and smooth performance

• Advanced servo-assisted four-wheel brakes for unmatched control

This engineering excellence made the H6B one of the most powerful and comfortable luxury cars of its era.

Provenance

• 15 February 1954: Acquired by Julien Maurel, Nice, France

• Later passed to P.L. Thiesard, also of Nice, in 1959

• Sold the same year to Scott W. Ebert, a collector from Alliance, Ohio, USA

• In March 1962, purchased by the prestigious Quattroruote Collection in Italy

• After four years of paperwork, it entered Italy officially in 1966, where it remained unseen by the public for over five decades

The chassis card notes a factory delivery anomaly: “vente HS” was crossed out, and the current engine was sourced from chassis no. 10893, per records by Hispano-Suiza historian J. Heumann.

Condition & Features

• Exterior: Older restoration, presented in tan buff with brown fenders and mouldings

  • Some visible patina and minor cracking at the rear add character to the elegant finish

• Interior:

  • Front: Black leather, chauffeur’s compartment with original instrumentation

  • Rear: Buff cloth upholstery, accented with beautifully detailed wood cabinetry

  • Includes folding jump seats, inertia-reel window blinds, and a period-correct ambience

• Odometer: Displays only 11,767 km

Significance

This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most regal and refined examples of 1930s French luxury motoring. The Binder body’s details, the advanced Hispano engineering, and the car’s long-term custodianship by renowned collectors elevate it to connoisseur status.

First time offered publicly in over 50 years. A true gem of European motoring heritage.