In a spectacular international debut, the 1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C belonging to the Pranlal Bhogilal Collection has been crowned ‘Best of Show’ at the Concours d’Elegance International Schlumpf in France. The inaugural show was hosted by the famous Schlumpf collection in Mulhouse, which itself houses over 520 of the world’s grandest vehicles, making this a significant win for a car of Indian provenance.
The late Pranlal Bhogilal’s son-in-law, Brijesh Chinai, who helps look after the collection along with his wife Chamundeshwari, was pleasantly surprised by the win. “We weren’t expecting this but are thrilled,” he said, while stressing that there is more work to be done. This 1927 Hispano-Suiza forms part of the massive Pranlal Bhogilal Collection, which includes around 200 vintage and classic cars, many of which can be seen at the Auto World Vintage Car Museum in Ahmedabad.
Returning near its birthplace on the French-Swiss border after nearly a century, this automotive icon marks yet another monumental moment of a custom car ordered by a Maharaja or a Nawab of India coming out on top in an international concours.
To understand how special this car is, one must take a look at its history and the story behind it. Its first owner, Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar, was a fan of the Spanish-Swiss marque, and this is one of only two custom extra-long-wheelbase cars ever ordered. He is said to have owned a total of fourteen Hispano-Suizas.
This specific car, Chassis 11760 or “Alwar 3”, represents the absolute zenith of bespoke ’20s luxury. The standard H6C chassis was already long in the beam, but the Maharaja required an even longer platform to accommodate his requirements inside the cabin. Because Hispano-Suiza charged astronomical premiums for custom-lengthened chassis engineering, only two extra-long-wheelbase H6Cs were ever built. Both were ordered by the Maharaja of Alwar, and both are still in India.
The coachwork for Alwar 3 was made by H.J. Mulliner in England. There were many special requirements. The Maharaja was a strict vegetarian and forbade the use of any leather inside the car. Instead, Mulliner is said to have draped the vast, four-window limousine cabin in opulent silk. Also, because this car was to serve as a ceremonial vehicle and be used for royal hunts, the coachbuilder integrated custom gun cases on the running boards and large searchlights.
Motive power to pull this massive limo came from an engine derived from aviation. Under the impossibly long bonnet sits an eight-litre aluminium overhead-cam straight-six engine. Derived directly from Hispano-Suiza’s legendary World War I aviation V12, this six-cylinder put out 160hp – a massive figure for the ’20s. But it wasn’t just the power that made the H6C a legend.
Stopping power was also special; on all four wheels, it used massive alloy drum brakes with industry-first power-assist servos. The tech was so good that Rolls-Royce actually licensed the design for its own vehicles.
The coachwork for Alwar 3 was done right here in India at the Super Car Club Garage (which belongs to Raymond) in Thane. The first level of restoration brought the car back to life just before it was shipped to France, where it will undergo some mechanical work, fine-tuning and detailing.
Of note is the fact that “Alwar 2” (Chassis 11744) still sits in a beautifully weathered, unrestored condition in the courtyard of the Alwar Palace. No one knows where the 12 other Hispano-Suizas owned by Alwar are. Legend has it that the Maharaja used them for three years and then buried them!