Art of the Classic Car

bodywork, and a distinctive, polished brass belt molding. The
company produced about 300 bodies during its seven years of
existence, but very few of them survive.
The V-12 engine that Hispano-Suiza introduced in its J-12 in
1931 is remarkable for its size (nearly 10 liters, with a square, 100mm
bore and stroke) and its smooth power delivery—paramount for
providing a VIP with a comfortable yet speedy ride to his or her
destination. Each engine was milled straight out of a 700-pound
aluminum billet.
A seven-main-bearing crankshaft weighing about 70 pounds
no doubt helped the coupe move more like a locomotive than a
passenger car. It needed 12 seconds to reach 60 mph, but could
motor on up past 100 miles per hour. While Hispano-Suiza had
previously produced advanced overhead cam engines, the J-12
engine reverted to an in-block camshaft and overhead valvetrain to
reduce the amount of mechanical noise emitted from the engine.
Only approximately 120 examples of this exclusive, expensive
automobile were produced before production ended in 1938.