1938 Hispano Suiza T60 by Chapron
Chassis No.: 18417
Make: Hispano-Suiza
Model: T60
Body Type: Coachwork by Henri Chapron
Year: 1932
Engine: Straight-6, 3.4 litres
The Legacy of Hispano-Suiza
The Hispano-Suiza marque is synonymous with luxury, engineering brilliance, and timeless elegance. The company’s origins date back to 1898, when Spanish artillery captain Emilio de la Cuadra Albiol began producing electric automobiles in Barcelona under the name La Cuadra. The firm later transitioned to petrol-powered vehicles, enlisting the talents of Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt, who would become the technical genius behind Hispano-Suiza’s success.
Following multiple restructurings and financial challenges, La Hispano-Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles was officially founded in 1904 in Barcelona. Unlike its predecessors, this company managed to avoid bankruptcy and grew into a major automotive and engineering powerhouse, manufacturing cars, trucks, buses, aero engines, and even weapons. Its Spanish roots and French production enabled it to compete at the highest levels of the luxury automobile market, rivalling brands such as Rolls-Royce, Isotta Fraschini, and Bugatti.
The Hispano-Suiza T60: A Refined Spanish Masterpiece
The T60 model was introduced in 1932 in Barcelona, marking another step in Hispano-Suiza’s evolution. It was powered by a 3.4-litre straight-6 engine, an advanced power unit that would later find its way into Pegaso trucks, showcasing its durability and engineering prowess.
The T60 chassis could accommodate a variety of custom coachbuilt bodies, with some later examples featuring formal, stately designs. However, this particular T60 retains the glamorous pre-war styling that made Hispano-Suiza an icon of elegance and performance.
Exquisite Coachwork by Henri Chapron
This Hispano-Suiza T60 features a stunning coachbuilt body by the legendary Parisian firm, Henri Chapron. Founded in 1919, Henri Chapron was one of France’s most celebrated coachbuilders, known for his meticulous craftsmanship, innovative designs, and luxurious finishes. Over the decades, Chapron-bodied cars would become some of the most sought-after French classics, appearing on marques such as Delage, Delahaye, Talbot-Lago, and Hispano-Suiza.
The Chapron-bodied T60 is a masterpiece of 1930s design, blending graceful lines with impeccable proportions. Its flowing fenders, elegant roofline, and detailed craftsmanship elevate this automobile into the realm of automotive artistry.
A Well-Preserved Spanish Treasure
This Hispano-Suiza T60 has spent the majority of its life in Barcelona, maintaining its deep connection to the city where it was originally built. In the late 1990s, the car was relocated to Valencia, where it underwent a painstaking, high-quality restoration, ensuring that every detail was faithfully preserved.
Today, this Chapron-bodied T60 stands as an extraordinary survivor of Hispano-Suiza’s rich heritage, offering a rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest pre-war automobiles ever built. It represents the perfect fusion of Spanish engineering and French design, making it a true collector’s masterpiece.