Literally, the name means "Spanish-Swiss." But, to knowledgeable automobile enthusiasts, the name Hispano-Suiza recalls one of the grandest marks ever produced in automotive history. Its distinguished legacy began in 1904 when a Spanish creditor, Damien Mateu, took over the firm where the great Swiss designer Marc Birkigt worked. Mateu renamed the company Fabrica La Hispano-Suiza de Automobiles and the company moved to France in 1912. It built even a larger plant in France in 1914 and, during the Spanish Revolution - just before Franco's takeover of Spain - the company continued to transfer most of its manufacturing to France. Indeed, despite its name, most of the greatest Hispano-Suizas were actually manufactured in France - so much so that the automobile was primarily regarded as a French make. At any rate, Hispano-Suiza quickly joined the automotive elite with its an opulent marriage of unsurpassed luxury and awesome power. The finest coachwork and amenities were coupled with an imposing chassis powered by extraordinary powerplants, such as the 12-cylinder engine that between 1931 and 1938 was necessary to power the more and more sumptuous bodies that were fitted to Hispano-Suiza chassis. With the coming of war, 1938 became the final year for Hispano-Suiza automobiles in France, although Spanish Hispano-Suiza automobiles were produced until 1944. The designer Birkigt was concentrating on aero-engines for the war effort. In many ways, when production of Hispano-Suizas ceased, it was the end of an era. Never again would automobiles achieve such high levels of luxury and performance. The Hispano-Suiza had been the car of kings and Hollywood movies stars, a car that immediately proved one's prestige. Now, a two-door coupe from Hispano-Suiza's final year of production is re-created in a handsomely appointed precision-engineered model. This model has been produced by - and is available only from - Matchbox Collectibles, the greatest name in die-cast.

(1997)

Scale: 1:48