This car was designed to succeed the popular Alphonso model, powered by a 4.5-liter 16-valve (cams-in-block T-head) four-cylinder engine making 75 hp. Unfortunately World War I started and production ceased after just 56 models were built. Of these, this is the only survivor. Interesting features include electric starting, which was accomplished without the Bendix drive that automatically engages and disengages the starter with the flywheel in modern cars. Instead, there was a separate position for the shifter that was used to start the car and disengage the starter. This Hispano’s chassis was built and shipped to Australia, where this Sports Roadster bodywork was applied and where it lived most of its life until an American bought the car, brought it here, and spent 14 years restoring it, mostly by himself. We were drawn to this car by its smaller dimensions and light appearance, relative to later postwar Hispanos.
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