1930 Hispano-Suiza H6C Cabriolet De Ville

1930 Hispano-Suiza H6C Cabriolet De Ville Coachwork by Kellner

This Hispano-Suiza H6C was built in 1930 and fitted with a luxurious Kellner Cabriolet de Ville body bearing number 18062, which design bears a close resemblance to the elegant Hispano H6 Cabriolet de Ville shown by Kellner at the 1930 Paris Salon. According to Hispano-Suiza historian Nelson Thorpe, signature Kellner touches also found on this car include the stylish swirl on the polished aluminium beltline at the leading edge of the chauffeur's door and the grab handle mounted on the C-pillar between the trailing edge of the passenger door and the convertible top. An interesting feature of this handle is that at one end it can be disconnected so as to allow the handle to pivot around the bottom contact point and then be used as a hook to fasten the top when it is folded down. The loose end of the handle can then be connected to the bottom hinge of the landau bar.

According to renowned collector Hugo Moddermann, the first owner may have been a Paris-based member of the Vanderbilt family, had the body modified to fit front side windows and a fixed roof for the chauffeur. It is believed that this work was performed by the exclusive coachbuilders Hibbard & Darrin, formed in 1923 by Thomas Hibbard and Howard "Dutch" Darrin after they had been sent on a scouting trip to Paris by LeBaron in New York. Pointers include that Kellner seldom used hinges for the doors, while the current hinges as well as the door handles on this car are in the style Hibbard & Darrin was using in the early 1930s.

In 1946, the car was purchased by Gordon Grant, Jr. at a Vanderbilt family sale on Long Island, New York. Gordon Grant drove the car intensively and finally sent it to the noted restorer Francisco Pueche in Spain for a full restoration in order to bring it back to the original body style. Grant subsequently sold this car to the well-known British collector Jack Tattersall, who embellished the car with the posh step plates now mounted on the running boards, the Guynemer stork on the leading edge of the chauffeur's canopy and the classic carriage lamps on the B-pillars. Tattersall also had new upholstery done and commissioned a repaint to the current distinctive brown shade over black top and wings.

In 2004, Hugo Moddermann acquired the car and discovered that it had deteriorated mechanically. Moddermann had new cylinders made by the respected marque specialist Eric Limpalaer. this car was then given a mechanical restoration in order to bring it back to perfect running condition. Subsequently, this lovely Hispano completed the 2012 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic without problems and was shown on the field at Pebble Beach that same year. The Cronos Bumpers are new original specification items fitted by Hugo Moddermann, who also had proper Kellner badges mounted on the body. Note that a hydraulic servo mechanism for the steering has been fitted, hidden under the front splash apron.

Today, this car remains a classic example of the luxurious long distance touring automobile that is the quintessence of a Hispano-Suiza motor car.

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