1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 Berline by Fernandez et Darrin
- Engine
- Large-displacement V12
A Hispano-Suiza J12 berline bodied by the celebrated Parisian coachbuilder Fernandez et Darrin, chassis 13041 was delivered in September 1936 to Marcel Bloch — the aviation pioneer who later became Marcel Dassault. After the war it passed to textile magnate Marcel Boussac, was exported to the United States in 1959, and ultimately underwent a ground-up restoration commissioned by a Nevada collector, debuting at Pebble Beach in 2002 where it took First in Class. An exceptionally elegant design with deeply sculpted fenders and a flowing roofline.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$764,000
- 1936-09-30 →Factory deliveryMarcel Blochfull documentation
Founder of an aircraft manufacturing company in Paris; the car was registered in his name. He later survived wartime imprisonment and renamed himself Marcel Dassault, going on to build a major aeronautical dynasty.
- 1945 → 1959Acquisition unknownMarcel Boussacpartial documentation
French textile and fashion industry magnate who also held ownership of a racing venue; the car was registered under one of his subsidiary companies from late 1945. He had a known affinity for this model, having owned at least one other example.
- 1959 →Private saleEd Wachspartial documentation
Chicago-based importer who brought the car to the United States, possibly working alongside a prominent European car sourcer. He commissioned the car's first restoration before passing it on.
- → 1997Private saleWalter Weimerpartial documentation
Washington, Pennsylvania collector with broad European automobile interests; acquired the car from Wachs sometime in the early 1960s.
- 1997 → 2008Private saleDan Hamiltonpartial documentation
Reno, Nevada enthusiast specializing in European and American Classics who commissioned a comprehensive ground-up restoration using multiple West Coast specialists covering mechanical, body, paint, and interior work.
- 2008 →Private saleCurrent collection ownerpartial documentation
The car has been well maintained within this collection, with the restoration remaining in good condition and recent mechanical preparation carried out ahead of the sale.
Competition
- 20022002 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in class
The car was presented here upon completion of the ground-up restoration commissioned by Dan Hamilton, marking its public debut after the restoration work.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2002RestorationMultiple specialists — Tom Batchelor, Phil Reilly, Kevin Kay Restorations, Vintage Auto Upholstery
Comprehensive ground-up restoration completed to a high standard: mechanical components rebuilt by Tom Batchelor and Phil Reilly; bodywork and paint by Kevin Kay Restorations; interior retrimmed by Ken Nemanic of Vintage Auto Upholstery.
Commissioned by Dan Hamilton; the finished car debuted at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, winning First in Class.
- —Restoration
Initial restoration of the car carried out by Ed Wachs following its importation to the United States from France.
Undertaken prior to the car being sold on to Walter Weimer in the early 1960s.
- —Service
Recent mechanical servicing carried out in advance of the auction sale.
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