PreWarCar of the Week: 1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B

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You might already have seen the PreWarCars that are part of The Guyton Collection in our online Marketplace. We highly recommend you to have a look at them shortly, as they will not be on there for much longer. The collection will soon be sold off by RM Sotheby's. We found it very difficult to pick a favourite. But we managed! Therefore, we decided to make this 1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville by Hibbard & Darrin this week's PreWarCar of the Week.

Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt is the man behind this French car, which was originally produced in Barcelona, Spain. The name Hispano-Suiza translates from French to “Spanish-Swiss”.

The 1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B you see here (with chassis no. 11707) was originally delivered to Seymour Knox II, a prominent businessman from New York. The body was specifically produced for Mr Knox’s order by Hibbard & Darrin. It is THE famed Parisian carrosserie of Americans Thomas Hibbard and Howard “Dutch” Darrin. “The coachwork was constructed using their patented all-aluminium Silentlyte process, for durability and lightness, and was highly detailed in Hibbard & Darrin’s typical fashion, with exquisite fine hardware and inlaid woodwork throughout. For instance, the rear windows are crenellated at the edges and are raised and lowered by a clockwork gear system,” as explained in the auction catalogue.

The Hispano-Suiza stayed with Mr Knox till the late 1960s when he sold the car on for only $500! If the car was offered to us at that time, we did not have to think twice! In all likelihood, the car was on consignment at Inskip’s in New York City. Salesman Charles Willmore (who sold the first two Rolls-Royce cars delivered to the United States), sold HB6 to a member of the Classic Car Club of America, Morton Bullock III of Baltimore, Maryland. When Mr Bullock purchased the car this “Le Roi de le Route“, or “The King of the Road“, had covered 21,000 miles. H6B was complete except for the trunk and still had its original interior. Mr Bullock had the car restored, with input into colour choices from Thomas Hibbard himself. Unbelievably enough, he also managed to find the original trunk made by Innovation Trunk Company of Paris, in a Long Island attic. Remarkably and fortunately it had retained its original Hibbard & Darrin-badged radiator winter front, special-ordered for Buffalo, as well as the Marchal headlamps, Stephen Grebel spotlight, and Notex driving lights. After completion, its life in the spotlights started and H6B became a true award winner.

In 1996 Fred Guyton acquired the car from his friend Mr Bullock and it is part of the Guyton collection ever since. Under his ownership, the car has been occasionally shown and became 2nd in its class at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

As can be seen in the photographs, this quality car is well-preserved and in a wonderful condition. Throughout its life, H6B has been loved and well-maintained. But the six-cylinder engine (no. 301712) would benefit from a thorough mechanical service. The impressive aircraft-derived engine, which employs machined steel cylinders with integral combustion chambers in a cast aluminium block, with two valves per cylinder driven by a single-overhead camshaft and a pressure-lubricated crankshaft turning on seven main bearings, brings you without a doubt to your destination.

On Saturday the 4th of May 2019, this 1928 Hispano-Suiza – lot 369 – estimated between $250,000 and $300,000 will be offered without reserve! Have we managed to convince you and will you be raising your hand?

If you want to know more about this 1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville by Hibbard & Darrin, you can find the car in our online Marketplace. You can also have a look at the other lots that will be auctioned on the 4th and 5th of May 2019. Please click HERE.

Words by M. Photographs courtesy RM Sotheby's.

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