The Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII Jaquot Torpedo on the fairway at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)

Mechanically the Alfonso XIII shared its basic design with the successful racing car. The biggest change was a further increase of the four-cylinder engine’s displacement to 3.6 liters. The engine, in unit with the three-speed gearbox, was mounted essentially in the middle of the chassis and added rigidity to the steel ladder frame.

The new Hispano Suiza's suspension followed convention with semi-elliptic leaf springs all around. Cable-operated drum brakes were fitted to the rear wheels only.

Considered one of the first-ever sports cars, the Alfonso XIII was available with a basic roadster body that featured wooden fenders on the earliest examples. Some were also supplied to specialist coachbuilders to be clothed with more lavish bodies. In 1913, various revisions were carried that included the introduction of a four-speed gearbox, a longer wheelbase and rear suspension with triple quarter-elliptic leaf springs on each corner. Because of the onset of the Great War, production ceased in 1914.

Displacement of the four-cylinder engine was increased to 3.6 liters for the production model. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)

A very impressive 500 examples were produced, the vast majority of them actually built in the Paris subsidiary. In addition to being a sales success, the Alfonso XIII also established Hispano Suiza as a manufacturer of note. It is with this reputation that company re-emerged after the War as one of Europe's premier luxury manufacturers. Rarely seen today, the Alfonso XIII ranks among the finest cars produced before the War.

The example shown at Pebble Beach, chassis 1558 was built in 1912 and wears a striking Torpedo body by Jaquot. One of its most unusual features is the bullet-shaped radiator, which was first seen on the competition Hispano Suizas entered for the 1912 Grand Prix de France.

Among the first owners are believed to be aviation pioneers and Avions Voisin test pilots Charles Nigg and Alphonse Carfogni. Today, the car is in American hands and underwent a meticulous restoration before appearing at the Pebble Beach Tour and Concours.

For a gallery of photos, see Hispano Suiza.

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