a Wood and Copper wonder

In 1919, Hispano-Suiza debuted it H6 rolling chassis with an all aluminum OHC 6.5 liter 6 cylinder engine which was one bank of their successful and reliable aircraft V12. It was the most desirable and expensive of all the European automakers. By 1924. the third generation, the H6C, now an 8.0 liter monster, was sold to scion Andre Dubonnet, an amateur racing enthusiast, who now had the power and had coachwork done by the French company Nieuport of WWl fighter plane fame. This slippery split window torpedo design was made from tulip wood fastened with brass rivets and only weighed 160 lbs. He successfully raced the car at the Mille Miglia (6th) and the Cuppa Floria (5th). After the racing days were over, he had tulip wood fenders mounted and that's how the car survived to this day at the Blackhawk Museum.

This was quite an ambitious model for an early FM. It does show its age with its applique dash and overly thick windscreen, but the woodwork and copper plating really makes this model pop.