Hispano-Suiza J12 - Wolrd Of Classic Cars - Rank 95

Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet deVille 1935

With the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12, Hispano-Suiza brought together Swiss design, Spanish capital, and French production facilities to create what many consider the world's best automobile of the mid-1930s, Rolls-Royces and the Grosser Mercedes notwithstanding.
The J12 was offered only as a rolling chassis, with massive construction and a choice of four wheelbases. The huge "square" V-12 (long stroke engine optional) was an engineering masterpiece, but burned fuel as rapidly as you'd expect in an enormously heavy car. Still, it could move the car 0-60 in 12 seconds and on past 100.

Bodywork, of course, was to customer choice, and most examples carried every luxury and convenience feature imaginable at the time. A very few were built with sporty styles, those by Saoutchik being the most memorable and striking. The J12 is a genuine international Classic of interest today only to a very fortunate few.

Hispano-Suiza J12 Pillarless Sedan 1935

Pluses of the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12: 
Exclusivity
Magnificent V-12 performance
Styling
Hispano quality and snob appeal
It's a Classic

Minuses of the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12:
Too costly for mere mortals
Old-fashioned chassis
Parts nearly impossible
Very thirsty

Production of the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12:
120

Specifications of the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12:
Wheelbase, inches: 135/146/150/158
Length, inches: 192+
Weight, pounds: 4,900-6,500