1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Tulipwood wins Pebble Beach Best of Show
An exclusive 1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo took Best of Show at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this summer, reinforcing the event’s status as the pinnacle of classic car competitions and the car’s place in automotive history.
Hispano Suiza achieved the highest distinction at Pebble Beach for the third consecutive time, further strengthening its long-standing relationship with the United States and its community of collectors. Enthusiasts across America continue to admire the brand’s craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless design.
That innovative, artisanal spirit carries into the marque’s modern range of electric hypercars, led by the advanced Carmen Sagrera. Hispano Suiza unveiled this exclusive 1,114 hp model last year to mark the company’s 120th anniversary. The line also includes the Carmen and Carmen Boulogne, two luxury hypercars that blend design, performance, and refinement at the highest level.
The 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo, renowned worldwide in the car collecting community, won Best of Show at Pebble Beach. Commissioned by aviator and racing driver André Dubonnet, the car embodies the values that have defined Hispano Suiza since its inception, including technical innovation, revolutionary lightness, and a unique, elegant design for which today’s Hispano Suiza models still earn recognition around the globe.
Dubonnet sought a car that combined competitiveness and durability with striking elegance, capable of standing out amid the fierce rivalry of headline races of the era, such as the legendary Targa Florio, one of the most demanding endurance tests of its time. To achieve this, he turned to Hispano Suiz, which, in collaboration with aircraft manufacturer Nieuport-Astra, created a version that entered history as the “Tulipwood Torpedo” due to its extensive use of wood and the distinctive shape of its bodywork.
Engineers based the car on a Hispano-Suiza H6C chassis, featuring an eight-litre overhead-cam engine, which corresponded to the then-new Type Sport. In its lowered configuration, it featured a lower radiator than other H6Cs and a larger fuel tank, enabling it to tackle long-distance endurance rallies with greater reliability.
Nieuport-Astra crafted an aeronautically inspired body for this frame using skinny strips of mahogany only 3 millimetres thick, fixed with thousands of aluminium rivets and varnished by hand. The result produced an extraordinarily light structure weighing just 70 kg, a revolutionary achievement when heavier materials dominated chassis and coachwork. This innovation delivered elegance and a competitive advantage, allowing Dubonnet to race head-to-head with rival marques and secure sixth place in the Targa Florio and fifth place in the Coppa Florio.
After its competition career, Dubonnet adapted the car for road use with a windscreen, headlights, and other fittings. He soon sold it, and collectors around the world acquired it in turn. Although it suffered slight damage during the Second World War and from age, it has retained its original condition. It is little wonder that it achieved a record auction price in 2022.
Hispano Suiza’s connection with the United States remains special. The marque had already earned top honours at Pebble Beach on two previous occasions, and this third award confirms the passion of American collectors for its exclusive models, handcrafted character, and enduring aesthetics. Current owners Penny and Lee Anderson Sr. of Naples, Florida, renowned collectors of boats and cars, entered the vehicle after its elegance and inventive use of wood captivated them.
The California award underlines a living legacy. Hispano Suiza continues to create models tailored to owners’ tastes, with the Carmen, Carmen Boulogne, and Carmen Sagrera integrating race-derived technologies that set benchmarks for design, innovation, and luxury in the international automotive scene. Once again, Hispano Suiza proves that true elegance is timeless, uniting past, present, and future in a single vision that remains synonymous with exclusivity, innovation, and iconic design.
