Vintage race car featuring a timber frame triumphs at grand classic competition
The 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, a renowned event celebrating automotive artistry, innovation, and heritage, featured an extraordinary lineup of racing cars, including the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo. Known as the "Tulipwood" Torpedo, this unique racing car from the 1920s showcased exceptional craftsmanship and advanced technical underpinnings for its time.
The car's body was made of individually cut mahogany wood strips and held together with 8,500 rivets, a testament to the meticulous workmanship of French aircraft manufacturer Nieuport-Astra. Originally commissioned by André Dubonnet, a pioneering figure in automotive history, the car raced in prestigious events such as the Targa Florio and Coppa Florio.
The car's historical significance lies in its association with Dubonnet, his innovative approach to automotive design, and its participation in early European open-road racing. The use of wood for the bodywork is distinctive and rare, symbolizing a merging of aeronautical craftsmanship and automotive engineering.
The 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo competed against over 200 other vehicles at the event, including a 1960s Bugatti convertible designed by Virgil Exner, and a Chrysler Town & Country owned by Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo, featuring a bull's head on the hood.
In a surprising turn of events, the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo won the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, marking a tribute to rare craftsmanship and motorsport heritage. The car's preservation and restoration, commissioned by current owners Penny and Lee Anderson, culminated in its selection as the Best of Show winner at the prestigious event.
Interestingly, the 90-year-old Bugatti racing car, which won in 2024, was preserved by its owners without expensive restoration, making it a unique participant in the Concours d'Elegance. However, it is not a unique racing car like the Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo, nor is it a classic car typically celebrated at the event.
Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 racing car and Niki Lauda's Formula 1 racing car were also part of the exhibition, adding to the event's rich diversity and appeal for motorsport enthusiasts. The 2022 event, therefore, showcased a mix of Formula 1 racing cars and classic cars, offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of automotive design and racing technology.
References: [1] https://www.motor1.com/news/720717/1924-hispano-suiza-h6c-niuport-astra-torpedo-pebble-beach-2022/ [2] https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/2022-pebble-beach-concours-d-elegance-best-of-show-winner-1924-hispano-suiza-h6c-niuport-astra-torpedo/ [3] https://www.autoweek.com/news/a38548381/1924-hispano-suiza-h6c-niuport-astra-torpedo-wins-pebble-beach-concours-d-elegance/
- The 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo, with its unique body crafted from mahogany and its impressive racing history, epitomizes the merging of luxury lifestyle and auto-racing in the 1920s.
- The remarkable victory of the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance not only showcases its exceptional car-maintenance and preservation, but also underscores its enduring significance in sports-analysis and auto-racing history.
- Contemporary cars and classic racers, such as the 1960s Bugatti or the Formula 1 vehicles of Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda, complemented the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo at the 2022 event, providing a comprehensive insight into the evolution of racing sports and car-maintenance over the decades.
- After securing the top spot at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo continues to serve as a symbol of French innovation, sportsmanship, and the sophistication of the early days of car-maintenance and sports-racing.
