1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet by Brandone
- Colour
- Light blue with darker blue accents (later repainted dark blue or black)
A 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 chassis clothed by boutique Côte d'Azur coachbuilder Carrosserie Brandone, whose distinctive blue-over-cream convertible design won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at the L'Élégance Automobile on the Côte d'Azur in 1936. Long misattributed to various Parisian coachbuilders, its origins were confirmed through archival research by historian André Vaucourt. After passing through the Blackhawk Collection and the Peter Mullin Collection, it was acquired by Sam and Emily Mann, who commissioned a full restoration to original specification by Stone Barn Restorations. The car has earned multiple class awards and two Alec Ulmann Trophies at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £1,600,000 – £1,800,000
- —Auction saleEstimate €1,300,000 – €1,500,000
- 1935-05-04 →Factory deliveryMr or Mrs Copleypartial documentation
First registered owner; car was bodied by Carrosserie Brandone in Cannes for delivery.
- 1955 →Acquisition unknownMadame Pierre, Villeurbannepartial documentation
Last documented French owner before the car was exported to the United States; address given as 36 rue Montalant, Villeurbanne, Rhone.
- Date unknownMay from Lyonspartial documentation
Intermediate French owner; no dates or further details given.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
American custodian after export; during this period the rear bodywork was modified to add a full rear passenger seat.
- Date unknownPrivate salePeter Mullinpartial documentation
Noted French-car enthusiast who commissioned a restoration; the car gained wide recognition through magazine and book features during his tenure.
- Date unknownPrivate saleSam and Emily Mannfull documentation
Prominent American collectors who purchased from the Mullin collection; commissioned historian Andre Vaucourt to research provenance and sent the car to Stone Barn Restorations for a full return to original specification.
Competition
- 19861986 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in Class
One of three appearances at Pebble Beach during Peter Mullin's ownership period.
- 19911991 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in Class
- 19991999 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceAlec Ulmann Award — top Hispano-Suiza present
Final appearance in pre-second-restoration form; award recognising the most significant Hispano-Suiza at the event.
- 2013Hispano-Suiza Rally, Arizona
Marque-specific rally held in Arizona; car participated under Mann ownership.
- —L'Elegance Automobile on the Cote d'AzurGrand Prix d'Honneur — finest French automobile
Result announced in the May 1936 issue of La Carrosserie; the car was accompanied by a Madame Lartique and praised for its Brandone coachwork.
- —Pebble Beach Motoring TourCompleted
Undertaken after the second restoration under Mann ownership; exact year not stated but preceded the class win and Best of Show nomination below.
- —Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in Class; Alec Ulmann Trophy (second award); Best of Show nominee
Post-restoration return to Pebble Beach under Mann ownership; the car received its second Alec Ulmann Trophy and was put forward for Best of Show.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2015Engine rebuildRM Auto Restoration
Complete engine overhaul including replacement of rings, pistons, and gaskets, plus thorough inspection of cylinder heads and main bearings, which were confirmed to be in sound condition.
- —Modification
While in US ownership, the rear deck, folding top, and windscreen were reconfigured, transforming a small luggage space behind the front seats into a full two-person rear seat.
Modification was later reversed during the Stone Barn restoration to return the car to its 1935 specification.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration was carried out during Peter Mullin's ownership, raising the car's profile considerably but not yet returning it to original coachwork specification.
Preceded the Vaucourt research that identified the correct Brandone attribution; exact scope and date not recorded.
- —RestorationStone Barn Restorations
Full restoration to original 1935 specification commissioned by Sam and Emily Mann after historian André Vaucourt identified the authentic Brandone design through period drawings and photographs; the car was returned to its original blue-over-cream appearance.
Workshop is based in Vienna, New Jersey, and has a record of concours-winning restorations; Vaucourt's archival materials served as the primary reference.
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