The Pinnacle of Pebble Beach
On a sunlit summer afternoon at the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the world’s most discerning collectors and enthusiasts gathered to witness automotive history. Among the polished chrome and exquisite coachwork, one machine stood out with quiet authority: the 1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo, known to connoisseurs as the legendary “Tulipwood Torpedo.” When the final announcement came, the crowd erupted—this one-of-a-kind creation was named Best of Show, the highest honour in the global world of classic car collecting. For Hispano Suiza, it was more than a trophy; it marked the brand’s third triumph at Pebble Beach and reaffirmed a bond with the United States that stretches back more than a century.
Commissioned by a Maverick
The story of this car begins with one extraordinary man: André Dubonnet—aviator, racing driver, inventor and unrelenting visionary. In the early 1920s, Dubonnet demanded a car that could conquer Europe’s most punishing endurance contests while exuding the sophistication of a gentleman racer. His ambitions led him to Hispano Suiza, then celebrated for its luxurious engineering, and to Nieuport-Astra, a French aircraft manufacturer famed for lightweight construction.
The result was audacious. Mounted on a Hispano Suiza H6C chassis with an eight-litre overhead-cam engine, the car was configured in surbbaissé form, its radiator lowered for aerodynamics and its fuel tank enlarged to survive the grueling Targa Florio. Yet it was the body that set it apart. Nieuport-Astra’s artisans crafted it from three-millimetre mahogany strips—each hand-varnished and fastened with thousands of aluminium rivets—creating a structure weighing barely 70 kilograms. In an era dominated by heavy steel, this aeronautically inspired marvel was a revelation.
Glory on the Circuit
Dubonnet’s “Tulipwood Torpedo” quickly proved that beauty need not sacrifice performance. In 1924 it earned a sixth-place finish at the Targa Florio and fifth at the Coppa Florio—remarkable feats considering the brutal nature of those endurance races. After its competitive exploits, Dubonnet modified the car for road use, fitting a windshield and headlights before eventually selling it. Over the decades that followed, the Hispano Suiza passed through the hands of discerning collectors worldwide. It suffered minor wartime damage, yet its essential character remained miraculously intact. By the time it crossed the auction block in 2022, it commanded a record price—testament to its enduring allure.
An American Love Affair
Pebble Beach is no stranger to Hispano Suiza’s elegance. The marque has twice before captured the Concours’ top honour, and this third victory underscores a special kinship with the United States. American collectors have long admired Hispano Suiza for its bespoke craftsmanship and avant-garde design language. Current custodians Penny and Lee Anderson Sr., prominent Florida-based collectors of cars and boats, were captivated by the Torpedo’s sculptural woodwork and singular history. Their stewardship brought the car to the Monterey Peninsula, where it claimed the world’s most coveted concours accolade.
From Mahogany to Megawatts: Innovation Across Eras
This award is more than a celebration of the past; it highlights a DNA of innovation that continues to define Hispano Suiza. The same spirit that shaped the Tulipwood Torpedo—a commitment to artisanal excellence and technological daring—now drives the brand’s all-electric hypercar range. Leading the charge is the Carmen Sagrera, a 1,114-horsepower statement of sustainable performance unveiled to mark the company’s 120th anniversary. Alongside the Carmen and Carmen Boulogne, it proves that Hispano Suiza still balances luxury, design and cutting-edge engineering with the same élan that Dubonnet demanded a century ago.
A Brand with Enduring Vision
Founded in Barcelona in 1904 by Damián Mateu and engineer Marc Birkigt, Hispano Suiza became a pioneer in both automotive and aviation engineering, producing over 12,000 luxury cars and 50,000 aircraft engines before mid-century. Revived in 2019 under the guidance of Miguel Suqué Mateu—great-grandson of the founder—the marque now stands as a bridge between eras. CEO Sergio Martínez Campos and his team continue to cultivate a future where exclusivity, innovation and limitless personalisation remain paramount.
Timeless Elegance, Eternal Spirit
The 1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo’s triumph at Pebble Beach is more than an accolade; it is a reminder that true elegance transcends time. From the feather-light mahogany panels of the Tulipwood to the silent thrust of the Carmen Sagrera, Hispano Suiza embodies a singular philosophy: that technology and artistry must advance together. One hundred years on, the marque proves that when innovation is guided by imagination, the result is not merely a car—it is a legacy.
