1934 Hispano Suiza K6 by Franay

This very original 1934 Hispano Suiza K6 is equipped with elegant coachwork supplied by the famous coachbuilder Franay. Founded in Paris in 1903, Franay was renowned for its craftsmanship on the finest chassis of the era. The car has undergone an older restoration but remains in excellent running order, retaining its original body and numerous fascinating details. Many period photographs from Concours d'Elegance document the car's history, showcasing its success in winning multiple prizes. The Hispano Suiza K6 features a 5,184 cc overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine, a three-speed manual transmission, solid axle suspension with semi-elliptic springs at the front and rear, and four-wheel servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes.

Chassis 15 081 - Body by Franay

• Body Style: The car is described as a coupe with a body crafted by Franay, a highly prestigious French coachbuilder known for its elegant and bespoke designs. This highlights its exclusivity and status as a luxury automobile.

• Ownership: The car was owned by Harry Baur, a celebrated French actor of the early 20th century. His association with the car adds historical and cultural significance, reflecting the vehicle’s appeal to affluent and influential individuals of that era.

• Current Status: The car is preserved at the Bec-Hellouin Museum, ensuring its historical and aesthetic value is maintained for future generations.

• Significance of the Franay Body:

  • Franay was renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and artistic approach to coachbuilding. Vehicles bodied by Franay often featured sleek lines, luxurious interiors, and cutting-edge designs for the time.

  • The Franay coupe on chassis 15 081 would have embodied these principles, likely showcasing a combination of modern aerodynamic design and traditional elegance.

Harry Baur, born Henri-Marie Baur on April 12, 1880, in Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, France, was a distinguished French actor renowned for his compelling performances in both theater and film. He began his acting career on stage before transitioning to cinema, where he appeared in approximately 80 films between 1909 and 1942.

Baur's portrayal of Jean Valjean in the 1934 adaptation of "Les Misérables," directed by Raymond Bernard, is particularly acclaimed. His performance as Ludwig van Beethoven in the 1936 biopic "Beethoven's Great Love"(originally titled "Un grand amour de Beethoven"), directed by Abel Gance, further solidified his reputation as a versatile and powerful actor.

In 1942, while in Berlin to star in his final film, "Symphonie eines Lebens," Baur's wife, Rika Radifé, was arrested by the Gestapo on charges of espionage. His efforts to secure her release led to his own arrest and torture. Although he was released in April 1943, Baur died shortly thereafter in Paris under mysterious circumstances on April 8, 1943.

Baur's legacy endures through his significant contributions to French cinema, and his performances continue to be celebrated for their depth and intensity.