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History of Hispano-Suiza Motor Cars / Automobiles |
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- 8.13.9. Hispano-Suiza
- In 1898 Emilio de la Cuadra started a company in Barcelona called “La Cuadra” to produce electric cars. Four years later it was acquired by J. Castro.
- He changed the name to “Fábrica Hispano-Suiza de Automóviles” (Spanish-Swiss Car Factory).
- By the end of 1903 this company went bankrupt, re-emerging in 1904 as “La Hispano-Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles”.
- In 1906 Hispano-Suiza produced two models of 3.8 and 7.4 litres. Information on these models required. Types, hp, etc.
- Between 1907 and 1914 the company mass-produced a range of cars, plus a number of hand-built racing models, including the Type A (1907), Type 15 (1910) and the four-cylinder 3,620 cc 65 hp Alphonse XIII (1911-14).
- In 1911 a factory called “Hispano France” was established just outside Paris, moving to another location in 1914, when they took the name “Hispano-Suiza”.
- The “Stork” statuette fitted on top of each car’s radiator was based on the squadron emblem painted on the side of the aircraft used by a WWI French ace, who owned a Hispano-Suiza car.
- The Hispano-Suiza H6 range was introduced in 1919. It was mainly built at the Paris factory. A few model built in Spain were called the T41.
- About 2,350 of these ultra-luxury models were made up to 1933; the 6,597 cc H6B (1919-32), and H6C (1926-33).
- Between 1924 and 1927 the H6B was built under license by Skoda of Czechoslovakia.
- The H6 was one of the first cars to be fitted with power-assisted brakes and originally came with a 6.5 litre engine. An 8 litre engine was fitted to the H6C model.
- In 1923 the French part of Hispano-Suiza became known as the Societé Française Hispano-Suiza.
- The 8 litre T56 model was produced from 1928, plus a 3,750 cc T49 model. Were they produced in Spain and between what dates?
- Other models produced in Spain the 1920s include the 4.7 litre T30 4.7 (1914-24) and the 3,089 cc T16 (1921-24).
- In 1930 Hispano-Suiza took over Ballot, the French car manufacturer.
- The six-cylinder 4,580cc Junior model was produced from about 1930 to 1934. It was replaced by the 5.1 litre 120 hp K6 (1934-37).
- The 9,425 cc Type 68, which was produced in 1931, later evolved into an 11,310 cc version. A six-cylinder version, the K6, succeeded the Junior in 1934.
- During the 1930s the company produced a range of luxury cars, including the 4.5 litre 95 hp HS26 (1932), the 9.4 litre 210 hp and 11.3 litre 260 hp J12 model (1932-38) How many of each were made?
- The last model produced by the company in Spain was the T6ORL. The car was produced from 1934 to about 1943. Is the 1943 date correct? What was the last model produced in France and when, 1938?
- In 1946 the company sold their automotive assets to “Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones S.A” (Enasa), a Spanish vehicle manufacturing company.
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