Hispano Suiza J12 Coupe Chauffeur by Kellner
Car producer :  |
Hispano Suiza |
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Model: |
J12 Coupe Chauffeur by Kellner |
Year: |
1931-1938 |
Type: |
Sedanca |
Birkigt was mindful of the developments in multi-cylinder engines going on in the United States and elsewhere in Europe, and he was determined to build one of his own. In 1929, he began work on what would become the J12, Type 68. The Hispano-Suiza J12 was a luxury automobile made by Hispano-Suiza from 1931 to 1938. It replaced the Hispano-Suiza H6. A prototype chassis was tested during the summer of 1931, and the Type 68 was shown at the Paris Salon that autumn. Its sheer size dominated the show, despite the presence of the massive Maybach DS8 Zeppelin. It was very expensive. Customers included the Shah of Persia, Emile Dubonnet, Lord Anthony de Rothschild, C.T. Weymann, and the Maharajah of Indore.
The J12 was powered by a V12 engine with pushrod-operated overhead valves. The engine initially displaced 9.4 L (574 cu in) with bore and stroke both being 100 mm (3.9 in) and, with a compression ratio of 5.0:1, delivered 220 hp at 3000 rpm. Two cars were fitted with long-stroke engines displacing 11.3 L (690 cu in) and delivering 250 hp, and several J12s were later upgraded to the larger engine. Each engine block was machined from a single 700 lb (318 kg) billet.
The J12 Type 68 chassis was of the highest quality, with servo-assisted brakes and dampers that could be adjusted from the cockpit. A balanced, reliable and high-performance marvel, the car was tailored to individual clients and bodied elsewhere. Presented in 1931, approximately 120 examples of the J12 were produced over a seven-year period.
Hispano-Suiza suspended automobile production in 1938 to concentrate on the manufacture of aircraft engines.