Have you ever experienced a disaster with a car you just finished restoring? I managed to wreck part of my first lacquer paint job (Dove Grey) on an MGA I was restoring, by pumping gas into the trunk: I hadn’t tightened the hose clamps on the connector between the filler cap and the tank. My countless hours spent refinishing the trunk went down the drain as gasoline soaked into the paint and skim coat. But my experience was trifling compared to the sad tale afflicting the owner of this very rare 1934 Hispano Suiza J12 Vanvooren cabriolet. This car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2024 to a second-in-class award; its value was estimated at $2 million. While in a transporter traveling home on Highway 68 through Monterey, it caught fire, destroying most of the car as well as the trailer. No one was hurt. Most likely devastated by the experience, the car’s owner decided to ask Broad Arrow to auction the J12 at no reserve. The twisted metal shell sold for $224,000 – and that’s the tip of the iceberg: unless the new owner is using it as a donor for a J12 under restoration, this thing is going to cost a “holy cow” kind of figure to bring back to life.
Hispano Suiza (translates as Spanish-Swiss) was founded in 1904 in Spain by a Swiss engineer, and still operates today, with close ties to the French company Safran. Its specialty was luxury cars, most of which sold in France, leading the company to open a factory outside Paris. This car is one of approximately 120 examples made from 1931 through 1938, though most of those were closed cars. Only about twelve cabriolets were made. The J12 was sold only as a chassis, with buyers required to find a coachbuilder. This particular car was apparently first bodied by Carrosserie Fernandez et Darrin, whose founder – “Dutch” Darrin – will be familiar to American readers. Fernandez et Darrin was conveniently located near Paris. We may never know why lot #275 was rebodied by Carrosserie Vanvooren, but that firm, too, was just steps away from Hispano Suiza’s French factory.
That’s a mighty sad looking engine, and a potent reminder of how hot fires can burn. The J12 was the largest automobile made by Hispano Suiza, and a sizable step up from the H6. Powered by a colossal but light alloy 9.4-liter V12 with seven main bearings running at a 5.0:1 compression ratio, the big car had 220 hp on tap. Top speed was over 100 mph. The gearbox is a three-speed manual. The J12 offered suspension controls inside the cabin – an innovative technology at the time. Three chassis lengths were available, with the longest made to accommodate limousine coachwork.
The gauge cluster hangs out of the dash like the eye of a monster loosed from its socket. Note the charred wood around the cockpit. This car has a well-documented provenance, with ownership traced from new, which probably helped boost the price. Still, there’s a long road paved with dollars ahead: if the car is slated for restoration, the new owner might be hand crafting its more obscure parts.
Here’s the goal: the J12 in happier days. And once it’s attained this august state again, the value is likely to hover around the $2.3 million that this example brought just a few months ago. What do you think – is it worth it to restore a rare but nearly destroyed car like this one?
IDK if it will be “worth it” to restore, but the buyer saw something in it beyond scrap metal. So if you have to fabricate parts to restore it, it’s not original anymore. That must have some impact on it’s ultimate value.
It’s going to cost $2 million or more to get it to look like the last
picture. It sure won/t be original. I afraid this old girl is
toast. 😞😞
As a coach-built automobile, original means little to nothing in the restoration process.
Fully document the restoration, using period correct materials and techniques, like they did after the Notre Dame fire. Then the fire and restoration become another chapter of its long history, and in time (decades, maybe) the value will be back up where it was.
Crush it its just field art now
Of course this can be saved and restored. Nor need it take $2 million to do so.
The fact that it did so well at a recent Pebble Beach shows the inherent quality of the car. Patience and vision will br required, but it can be done.
The French factory was opened to improve production of Hispano-Suiza, whose Barcelona plant was severely disrupted by unstable political situation in Spain. The capital invested was all Spanish.
After WW2, the remnants of the Barcelona H-S facility and design team were re-purposed to build the Pegaso 102Z, which was the most advanced GT available in Europe until the MB 300SL came along.
Wiki says this is a pushrod OHV design, but it appears the camshaft and pushrods are present. Anyone know the facts? I don’t think I have ever seen one in the flesh, unless Bill Harrah had one in the mid-60’s when I was still wet behind the ears.
I’m sorry to admit that when I put on my glasses, I noticed my error. OHV in fact. I should have not been so fast with my typing.
Between my insurance company and me I’ll bet you we could have extinguished that fire with tears.
Well, a daunting task indeed. Were it not for the fact that I follow Mark Worman’s escapades fairly closely, I would say that it can’t be saved. A couple of years ago, Worman resurrected a Hemi ‘Cuda convertible that was every bit as bad as this car. Biggest problem that I see is that unlike that ‘Cuda, there are no replacement parts available for this. Taking this on would not be for the faint of heart or someone without unlimited funds.
The parts can be found or reproduced.. In days of advancrd CAD/CAM and scanning, things are possible which were not to be contemplated 20 years ago.
The high value and desirabilty of this car make a strong argument for at least assessing the project.
Bury it at the Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo, Texas – a fitting tribute to an outstanding design.
I had just finishing restoring a 1973 Harley Davidson FLHP, Had put all new Chrome Dual Crossover pipes, spent hours upon Hours Polishing the Brushed aluminum, had it repainted in White , with a custom Dragon, that looked like a Star ( boy did it piss off a few cops ) with Black hard bags . Had taken best of show at 8 local shows. Then I met Ex her Ex was jealous, stole the Bike cut up the frame (which had been powder coated )and scraped a $10,000 paint job off with a Razor blade. I got the engine and tranny back !
Where is the ex interred?
Ex husband or ex wife?
That’ll buf…….. Nah, it won’t. Somebody call Jay Leno. Jay’ll fix it.
Beautiful cars when done. Chances are that the person who bought this J12 has a very, very high net worth – they are not going to be counting dollars spent and concerned with the cost to restore. This person is doing this not for what the car will be worth in the end, but for the passion of returning this extremely rare car back to its former glory. If someone does not understand that and still thinks the car should remain as yard art or crushed, I have news for you, you’re not the gearhead you think you are.
This will never be worth what it once was, and it would cost way over 2 1/2 million to restore.
I think Mike76 has it exactly right. For those of sufficient means, the objective would not be to turn a profit, but to bring back something rare and beautiful. Look at the Alfa 2900B featured in Barnfinds Feb25,2019. It makes this one look like an afternoon project. Nonetheless, “restored” with a completely new and different body, it later sold for $4M. If I’d been the lucky soul rich enough to buy either of these cars, I would still have them, just for the pleasure. I’ve often wondered about people who talk about projects being underwater – do they have the same concerns about cars bought new? I think my toy cars are finally worth more than I paid, though mainly due to inflation, but my last new car is worth at best 1/3 of what I paid.
There is a certain amount of truth to the reality that someone with a high net worth may very well own a car for their own enjoyment. There are two brothers in Salem Oregon that have one of the most comprehensive collections of American muscle cars in the nation. Until about three years ago people knew it existed but they kept the location secret. It was just for their pleasure. It’s pretty crazy. They have some of the rarest cars on the planet and they just like having them.
Yes, not only some of the rarest cars on the planet but multiple copies of several models. I think they have 3 or 4 Pontiac Super Duty cars, and three 1953 Corvettes. Great way to spend an afternoon, browsing their metal.
King Alfonso of Spain (pre-civil war) had a Hisso limousine. I’ve seen it (as a child touring his palace). This was the caliber of clientele HS catered to. This ain’t a Chevette and someone will step up (although the restoration may take decades).
Alfonso XIII of Spain was a moderniser and an integral part of the H-S story. The ” Alfonso” model of pre WW1 was named after him and was Europe’s premium sports car at the time.
In WW1, H-S went on to develop the best aero engine of its time (though Spain was not a combatant in WW1) which was licensed to Packard and Rolls-Royce to be built in large numbers. All of this activity yook place in Barcelona.
Unfortunately, during the 1920s, Spaun spiralled into political chaos, so H-S moved some of its activities to Paris ( where this car was built). Even so, the capital and DNA of the company was Spanish.
“Nearly destroyed”? I must be looking at the wrong set of photos.
Perhaps the buyer just wants the VIN tag.
Worth would have to be in the eyes of the beholder. With a lot of work and a whole lot of money, nothing is impossible. If someone were to take it on, it would be a labor of love. Something this rare could tip the scales.
Before even thinking about taking on the restoration of a “fully engulfed” fire victim, ask a metallurgical expert about how fire & high heat affect various metals.
I’ve parted out various high value vehicles that were destroyed in building fires. Cast iron parts are almost always warped and brittle, even engine blocks & rear axle housings. Hardened and forged steel parts have lost their strength and are also brittle. Aluminum parts will be mostly melted or vaporized. Sheet metal parts have been softened to the point the panels can easily be bent by hand. I’ll bet every inch of that stout frame is now out-of-spec. Spring steel? Fugettabout it!
I’ve known large remanufacturing facilities that rebuild car parts for the major auto parts suppliers. None of those facilities will even consider rebuilding any part that shows evidence of being in a fire, as the liability issues are rather pricey!
You are exactly correct. Without replacement parts this car just about can’t be saved.
Some vehicles are priceless and anyone intending to regain what they put into it is in the wrong league.
so SAD that magnificent piece of beauty !!!
This vehicle is in an elite class of automotive legends. Not a Camaro or mopar but a real hand built masterpiece. Restoration is used way too frequently when it comes to the average car. Exclusive membership into this club is not for the average Joe. Pebble Beach is a world ranked, invite only, master class of perfection. Duesenberg, Packard, V16 Caddies, and a handful of other nameplates are on the grass to view. Been in the presence of some outstanding restorers and their offerings many times. Realistically this is a challenging project but money does not enter into the equation for rebuilding it. An owner that takes on this restoration and the coach builders who achieve perfection are not swayed by opinions. Not a 2 million dollar tab, more like 3/4 million to right this wrong. Was happy to have painted for years at one of the premier restorers in the world. Someone is going to enjoy bringing the classic back to life.
Fire doesn’t really care if the car was from Pebble Beach or Escondido, it is equal opportunity abuser. Read Bill McCoskey’s post above. Extreme heat changes the molecular structure of steel and there’s no changing it back. Restoration of this is going to take a miracle worker and substantially more than 3/4 of a million dollars.
Unless I overlooked something I’m curious how the car caught fire in the trailer while traveling. Buyers remorse? I recall a story about a guy who mortgaged his house to buy a Lamborghini without his wife’s knowledge. She told him to take it back and don’t come home until he did.
Generally, the only thing that can start a fire like that is faulty brakes, what chu’ tink, Stan? Had they had a fire extinguisher, it might have saved the car. Folks, don’t leave home without one,,
Or an angry wife that just found out you’ve been cheating on her. 😡 …..😂😂
Picture it…….
1992, Matawan,NJ. My father-in-law was giving us some money to buy a car. Not much, just $1000. We find this 1972 Buick Riviera in teal sitting in a yard at a small, I guess junkyard. It had been in an accident and had a salvage title. The damage was minimal, it needed a passenger front fender, front bumper, radiator wall. Basically that’s all it needed. It had 49,400 original miles. The interior looked like it had never been sat in and the a/c blew subfreezing cold aire.
We bought it. Put a new fender, radiator wall and bumper on it, parts we picked at a local junkyard, except for the fender. Had to have that shipped in from Idaho.
Then we went to title it. Since it had a salvage title every dent and scratch had to be repaired. So, the riverside front fender had a dent behind the wheel. Took the fender off and sounded that out plus all the little stuff. Long story shorter, finally got it titled. Then we had the duel exhaust replaced, all four shocks, brakes, tires, everything to make it drivable, tune-up, etc.
First thing we did was go to a drive in movie. Where after the movie it wouldn’t start. Had to get jumped. New battery good to go.
Everything was done. Just needed paint and it would be perfect.
Now, my husband’s 1972 Jeep Wagoneer wrecked it’s transmission when we tried towing our 18′ trailer. So, he borrowed my Riv one morning to go to work while the Jeep was being repaired.
He stopped for gas, pulled back out into traffic. Said he was accellerating to get up to speed (30 mph) and this dumbass girl in a small Dodge something made a left in front of him. That was the end of my 1972 Buick “boattail” Riviera and really the end of her Dodge as the airbags exploded and the Riv destroyed the Dodges front end suspension. Twisted the whole thing. Sold the Riviera to a guy in upstate NY. 😭
Anybody remember the (production) Pierce Silver Arrow V12 Coupe for sale in PA around 2000? It was a burn job too, and went for around 2K on Ebay. I don’t think that anything except possibly the cowl/firewall could have been save. Oddly the carb wasn’t melted unless placed there later.
Alfonso XIII of Spain was a moderniser and an integral part of the H-S story. The ” Alfonso” model of pre WW1 was named after him and was Europe’s premium sports car at the time.
In WW1, H-S went on to develop the best aero engine of its time (though Spain was not a combatant in WW1) which was licensed to Packard and Rolls-Royce to be built in large numbers. All of this activity took place in Barcelona.
Unfortunately, during the 1920s, Spain spiralled into political chaos, so H-S moved some of its activities to Paris ( where this car was built). Even so, the capital and DNA of the company was Spanish.
Boy, that breaks my heart. I’ll bet it nearly killed the owner. I hope he had it insured for full value.What a tragedy!
@RH Factor
2nd husband and I were the owners. To be honest I cried harder for the car than I did for my husband. He had a minor injury just above his eye from hitting the sunvisor.
The car was twenty years old. In NJ the car has to be 21 years old for classic car insurance. At the time we had minimal regular insurance on it. The girl who made the left in front of my car, her insurance sent us a check for $1800. We sent it back. Informed them we just spent over $4000 repairing this classic and was about to go to paint. They didn’t care. It wasn’t 21 years old yet, and wasn’t registered as a classic vehicle so they paid bluebook.
The guy in upstate NY who bought the ’72 Riviera also bought my 1971 Riviera. Selling that one was a huge regret on my part.
So let me get this straight. You sent a $1800 check back because you were miffed? Ever hear the old saying “cutting your nose off to spite your face”?
Charles,
To reiterate, we had just finished putting $4000 into the car, repairing the body, making it roadworthy, titling, registering and insuring. Doing everything right and legal. We felt the car was worth more than $1800. It was also a tactic. Sometimes an insurance company would up their offer if you refused the original. As I said, they explained it wasn’t a classic yet, according to NJ guidelines and it didn’t have classic car insurance on it.
So, we reluctantly took the $1800.
The money was not important. To me, anyway. I wanted my car back, fixed and painted and enjoyed. Period.
I’ve said it before and I’ll tell you all again. The money is not important. If I’m underwater on a restoration I don’t care. It’s the love of the car. Of the hobby. Of preserving history.
This is probably why I don’t have any money.
I get so mad at many of these comments from readers who say “you’ll be upside down restoring this car. Just send it to the crusher.”
Not for me. I love the cars. I don’t care if I’m “upside down” on a restoration. I saved a piece of history that I love.
Angel: I get what you’re saying about a car not being worth what you put into it and the whole “labour of love” thing, what I don’t get is the tactic you’re describing with the insurance company. It ain’t a negotiation, if you don’t take what they offer, they simply walk away.
Charles,
That’s probably true for today as companies and people in general don’t give a 💩 anymore, but this was back in 1992 when you could negotiate with an insurance company
Angel,
Typically what insurance companies will do is give you some options 1. Offer you xxxx and take the car or offer you xxx and you keep the car. Now if you take the payout and keep it it’s highly doubtful they will reinsure it. It will be tagged as totalled, rebuilt, salvaged etc. or whatever term your state uses. Now trying to find another insurance company to insure it or even register it in your state is going to be met with scrutiny. Now if you do decide to sell it in the future and the buyer does his/her/it’s homework on the history of the car then the new potential buyer has the burden of getting it state inspected but the title still is tattooed. Now the ironic thing is you can acquire one from the salvage yard that’s beat up from the street up restore it and get a clean title on it.
Again, Frog, this was 1992 BEFORE CARFAX.
Now-a-days everything is computerized and cross examined. Back then it wasn’t.
True that but carfax didn’t make it into the equation regarding what is on the title. One point to ponder is some states don’t issue titles anymore only bill of sales. I haven’t encountered one of these types of transactions yet. Maybe one of savvy people would know.
I see what you’re saying. Back then, had I kept the car and repaired it myself as hubby and I originally did, I don’t think that would have affected the title in anyway. If I had sold it to a junkyard then it would have gone back to a salvage title.
Today’s rules I don’t know about.
This may be somewhat off topic, but I don’t understand this whole bill of sale thing. Whats to stop Johnny car thief from stealing your car and writing up a bogus bill of sale? Seems to me that all he would need is the VIN, the plate number, and the owners name. What am I missing?
@Frog
Yes, I really didn’t understand insurance back then. I certainly do now, but it took 40 years!
It was the girls fault. She made a left into oncoming traffic. She cut in front of my husband like he wasn’t even then. He didn’t even have time to hit the brakes.
@MartinHorrocks-I am now thinking that the Merlin would incorporate H-S DNA. Even more fascinating lore with historical significance! I’m looking it up-thanks for the tip.
There are ways to make insurance companies pay and court is just one.
Of course there will be problems with metallurgy. But no doubt that cars value and rarity will have it being rebuilt and every part will be examined for it being suitable for use.
The car is a work of art and craftmanship. And the car will again be made whole.
I don’t believe that it is a matter of a given part or component being “suitable” for use, rather whether or not if it is usable at all is the question. It is apparent from the photos that the fire was intense and because of that I don’t believe that the car can be restored. It may be able to be recreated using 3-D printing, but I just don’t believe it can be restored using original parts.