To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$250,000 - $300,000
- An original U.S.-delivery example; lovely older
restoration
- Formerly owned for decades by renowned enthusiast, Morton
Bullock
- Featured in Automobile Quarterly and The Classic Car
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
- One of the finest European Full Classics
THE HISPANO-SUIZA H6B
The name Hispano-Suiza translates from French to "Spanish-Swiss,"
which is appropriate, as this superb French automobile was born
from the genius of a Swiss engineer, Marc Birkigt, and was
originally produced in Barcelona, Spain. However, it would be the
Hispano-Suizas built in France that became most legendary. In
particular, the H6B sported an aircraft-derived six-cylinder
engine, employing machined steel cylinders with integral combustion
chambers in a cast aluminum block, with two valves per cylinder
driven by a single-overhead camshaft and a pressure-lubricated
crankshaft turning on seven main bearings. The engine produced 135
hp with truly impressive torque and smoothness, matched by a
chassis with advanced servo-assisted four-wheel brakes and custom
coachwork offered by the world's finest craftsmen.
Le Roi de le Route, or "The King of the Road," was the favored toy
of aristocrats the world over. Edsel Ford, son of Henry, owned one,
as did "Bentley Boy" Woolf Barnato, Pablo Picasso, and various
kings and maharajas.
AN AMERICAN H6B
The Guyton Hispano-Suiza H6B, chassis no. 11707, was originally
delivered to Seymour Knox II, a prominent Buffalo, New York,
businessman whose family had made their fortune in five-and-dime
stores with their cousins, the Woolworths. Mr. Knox was a member of
the board of many important East Coast companies, a financier, a
significant collector of modern art, and an appreciator of fine
automobiles who had earlier enjoyed a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.
The body was specifically produced for Mr. Knox's order by Hibbard
& Darrin, the famed Parisian carrosserie of Americans Thomas
Hibbard and Howard "Dutch" Darrin. The coachwork was constructed
using their patented all-aluminum 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!
Mr. Knox maintained the car until the late 1950s, when he was
reportedly convinced to sell it for a mere $500. In 1965, it was
acquired by early enthusiast and longtime stalwart member of the
Classic Car Club of America, Morton Bullock III of Baltimore,
Maryland. In 1990, he told author Beverly Rae Kimes, "When I
purchased the car, it was on consignment at Inskip's in New York
City. The salesman was Charles Willmore, who sold the first two
Rolls-Royce cars delivered to the U.S. around 1906."
At the time the car was complete save for the original trunk and
had just over 21,000 actual miles, a figure confirmed by how many
critical areas had survived in virtually pristine condition. It had
been repainted, but the interior was still original and in fine
condition, as confirmed by Sam Manton, a veteran mechanic who had
serviced the Hispano-Suiza for Mr. Knox. Mr. Manton noted that the
car had seldom been outside of Buffalo, used mainly for local
parades and chauffeuring dignitaries.
The car was restored for Mr. Bullock, with input into color choices
from an elderly Thomas Hibbard, and detective work that resulted in
the location of the original trunk - created by Innovation Trunk
Company of Paris - in a Long Island attic. Remarkably and
fortunately it had retained its original Hibbard & Darrin-badged
radiator winterfront, special-ordered for Buffalo, as well as the
Marchal headlamps, Stephen Grebel spotlight, and Notex driving
lights.
Following completion of the restoration, the H6B was shown for many
years, achieving its CCCA Senior First Prize in 1994. It was also
featured in various books and periodicals, including Automobile
Quarterly, Volume 20, No. 2, and The Classic Car, 1982 Number
3.
Fred Guyton acquired the car from his friend Mr. Bullock in 1996,
and the H6B has remained a very proud part of the collection ever
since. In Mr. Guyton's care it has been occasionally shown, most
prominently at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, winning
2nd in class. The restoration is now four decades old but
remarkably well preserved, with few flaws in its lustrous blue
lacquer finish, and only minor age to the upholstery; it would
benefit mainly from a thorough detailing and mechanical
servicing.
Simply put, this is one of the U.S.'s finest Hispano-Suizas - a car
of outstanding purity and quality that has remained on these
shores, always loved and well maintained by enthusiasts, since it
was new. In provenance and elegance alike, it is without peer.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.