The finest model produced by one of France’s greatest automobile manufacturers, the Hispano-Suiza J12 is unrivalled for its smoothness, outstanding power, and excellent road manners, as one of the most modern 12-cylinder automobiles produced prior to World War II. Very seldom do examples of this treasured model become available for sale.

According to Hispano-Suiza Society rosters, it is believed that the chassis of this J12 may have actually been assembled at the Barcelona factory for the Spanish market. For whatever reason, the chassis remained not only without coachwork, but also unfinished and incomplete for decades. It was finally sold in 1965, and 10 years later fitted with a gearbox, followed a year later, in 1976, with the present elegant coach body, originally built by Marcel Pourtout and mounted to an earlier H6B chassis. The chassis number tag on the firewall is newer, while the engine bears the number 321037, in the usual location found on the oil filler lid; it should be noted that this same number appears on another surviving J12.

In its final form, the car was displayed for many years in the famous collection of Johan von Raben-Levetzau, housed in the museum at Aalholm Castle in Denmark. The car was sold from the Aalholm Collection at a 1989 Sotheby’s auction to the well-known Michigan enthusiast Marvin Tamaroff. Two years later, the present collection acquired the car, and there it has now remained for 34 years, alongside other significant Hispano-Suizas.

During more recent years, restoration of other, more intact J12s in the collection has led this car to donate some of its components. Inspection shows that the majority of the car nonetheless remains intact, with its older two-tone mahogany paint and brown leather interior both remaining in sound and usable condition. Nonetheless, some pieces are missing throughout. Notably, at the time of cataloguing, the J12 was missing its carburetors; and the transmission, not presently in the car, accompanies it disassembled. Overall, it is best described as a project for completion and fresh restoration in the hands of a new caretaker.