1931 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet Le Dandy by Chapron
- Engine
- 6.6L inline-six OHC, 135 bhp at 2,500 rpm
- Colour
- Black with tan leather interior and cloth top
The 1931 Hispano-Suiza H6B, chassis 11528, carries Cabriolet Le Dandy coachwork by Henri Chapron and is among the most celebrated survivors of its type. Originally associated with the Bey of Tunisia, the chassis was returned to the Hispano-Suiza factory and comprehensively updated before receiving its present Chapron body, reportedly displayed at the 1932 Paris Salon. Later imported to the United States by racing promoter Alec Ulmann, it passed to a Long Island owner who drove it for roughly three decades. Following an extensive restoration by specialist Steve Babinsky, the car has taken Best in Class honours at Pebble Beach twice, in 2004 and 2016.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,352,500
- 1931 →Acquisition unknownBey of Tunisiapartial documentation
Original reported owner of the chassis when it was bodied in 1931; the original body is no longer identifiable. Approximately five years after manufacture the car was returned to the factory for modernization and rebodying.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAlec Ulmannpartial documentation
Brought the vehicle into the United States in the early 1950s; notable as founder of the Sebring 12 Hours endurance race.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJoe Weiderpartial documentation
Long Island postal worker who purchased the car from Ulmann and used it regularly for roughly three decades until his death.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired the car following Weider's death and commissioned a comprehensive restoration through the workshop of Steve Babinsky.
Competition
- 20042004 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Topped a seven-car Hispano-Suiza class, the most significant competitive result cited in the catalogue.
- 20162016 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceClass winner
Chapron was the featured coachbuilder that year; the car again led its class in that context.
- —Meadow Brook Concours d'EleganceAward winner
One of several high-profile concours events at which the car received awards after its restoration.
- —Elegance at HersheyAward winner
Recognized among multiple concours appearances following restoration.
- —Hilton Head Concours d'EleganceAward winner
One of several concours events yielding awards for the restored vehicle.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1936RestorationHispano-Suiza factory
Approximately five years after manufacture the chassis was returned to the Hispano-Suiza factory and comprehensively rebuilt to the most current specifications of the time.
Following this factory rebuild the car was dispatched to Chapron for its new cabriolet body.
- 1936BodyworkCarrosserie Henri Chapron
After the factory rebuild, Henri Chapron replaced the original unidentified body with new Cabriolet Le Dandy coachwork, the body the car carries today.
Believed to have been shown on the Chapron stand at the 1932 Paris Salon, though this is not definitively confirmed; the rebodying is dated here to the mid-1930s factory-rebuild period.
- —RestorationSteve Babinsky
A meticulous full restoration to original condition was carried out under the direction of the current owner, covering all aspects of the car to a high concours standard.
The restorer is described as one of the foremost classic car specialists internationally. The car subsequently won multiple concours awards beginning with Pebble Beach 2004.
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