1937 Hispano Suiza J12 Sports Saloon by Gurney Nutting
Sports Saloon by Gurney Nutting
Chassis No.: 13510
Key Features:
- Powered by a 9.5L V12 engine producing 220bhp
- Capable of 185 km/h (115 mph)
- One of the most expensive Hispano-Suiza cars ever built
- Custom-bodied by Gurney Nutting
- Commissioned for HH Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore
- Discovered in India after 35 years of neglect
- Owned by renowned collector JUDR. Bohuslav Klein
- Meticulously restored to concours-level quality
- Awaiting its debut at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
The Hispano-Suiza J12 – A Masterpiece of Engineering
Introduced in 1931, the Hispano-Suiza J12 was among the most advanced and luxurious automobiles of its time. With its 9.5-liter V12 engine, producing 220 horsepower, the J12 was one of the most powerful and prestigious cars of the 1930s. Its top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph) and high price tag made it a symbol of status and refinement, attracting elite clientele, including royalty, Hollywood stars, and industrial tycoons. Only 120 units were built between 1931 and 1938, making it an exceptionally rare automobile.
This particular J12 chassis #13510 holds a significant place in automotive history. It was custom-ordered by HH Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore, an Indian prince renowned for his passion for automobiles and fine design. The Maharaja’s collection included some of the rarest and most extravagant luxury cars of the era.
A Royal Commission – One of Two Identically Bodied J12s
This J12 was one of two cars ordered by the Maharaja from Gurney Nutting, the celebrated British coachbuilder. The other was a Rolls-Royce Phantom III, also featuring a striking design. The car was used by the Maharaja for ceremonial and leisure purposes, a testament to its grandeur and status.
The Maharaja, known for his love of fast driving, owned a Lagonda V12, a Bugatti Type 41 Royale, a Duesenberg, and multiple Bentleys, alongside his prized Hispano-Suizas. He frequently drove his cars at high speeds on the roads of India and Europe, and the J12 was among his most cherished automobiles.
A Forgotten Treasure – Rediscovered and Restored
After decades in the Maharaja’s possession, chassis #13510 was discovered in India in a derelict state, abandoned in a garden for over 35 years. It was later acquired by a businessman, who passed it on to a friend in Bombay. Eventually, JUDR. Bohuslav Klein, a well-known collector and Bugatti historian, acquired the car and undertook an extensive painstaking restoration.
The restoration was a meticulous process involving:
- Sourcing missing original parts
- Collaboration with Hispano-Suiza specialists
- Restoring the engine to factory specifications with high-compression pistons delivering 30bhp more than standard
- Bringing the body back to its former grandeur
The car has never been displayed in public and is now awaiting its grand debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
A Crown Jewel in the Hispano-Suiza Legacy
This J12 is regarded as one of the most desirable surviving examples of the model. With its unparalleled provenance, high-performance V12 engine, and exceptional craftsmanship, it represents the pinnacle of luxury motoring from the golden age of automotive design.
A true masterpiece, this Hispano-Suiza J12 is a symbol of power, elegance, and exclusivity, perfectly capturing the opulence of the Maharajas and the engineering brilliance of Hispano-Suiza.