A classic car that was owned by the King of Spain is up for sale… for £435,000.
The stunning racing green 1919 Hispano-Suiza H6, which has been completely restored, was owned by King Alfonso X111 of Spain – one of the car company’s most famous customers.
The vintage convertible was made in France before being shipped to Spain. King Alfonso owned the car during his marriage to Victoria Eugenia de Battenberg – the granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The luxury car was owned by King Alfonso for 12 years before it was sold to Patricio Chadwick of Spain. It was taken on by the current collection in the early 1990s. It has leather seats, black and silver features and has been fully restored – including the crest of the House of Bourbon on the rear doors. The car will go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s in Paris on January 31.
The classic motor can reach speeds of up to 85mph and since the restoration it has caused quite a stir. The car has secured 2nd place in Class and the Alec Ullmann Award for the most historically significant Hispano-Suiza at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2004, and the Targa d’Argento in its class at Villa d’Este in 2007.
During the restoration there were a few minor alterations that had to be made, including a bonnet with an additional louvre and some adjustments to the windscreen. The chassis number plate is a reproduction.
The car is being sold complete with a special history pack so its new owners can understand its full regal history. The sale will also include a copy of a Geo Ham painting of the car on its royal duties for King Alfonso.
