1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C: The Rebirth of a Legend

Among Indian royalty, Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar stood out. A noted Francophile, he may have acquired as many as fifteen Hispano-Suizas over the years

Text: Gautam Sen Images: Vrutika Doshi

During the British Raj, India was an important market for some of the world’s most extraordinary automobiles. Rolls-Royces were imported in significant numbers, but Hispano-Suizas were far rarer, with fewer than two dozen reaching Indian shores.

Large and imposing, the Hispano-Suiza is a giant of a car

Among Indian royalty, Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar stood out. A noted Francophile, he may have acquired as many as fifteen Hispano-Suizas over the years, including two exceptionally rare extended-wheelbase H6C models.

Yet the proportions work really well and, until seen in the metal, give the impression of a car that is largish but not all that big

Maharaja Jai Singh ascended the throne in 1892 at just ten years old. Early accounts praised him as intelligent, cultured, and charming, but his reign soon became notorious for autocracy and extravagance. He elevated himself to near-divine status, using state resources for personal indulgence.

The top of the Hispano-Suiza comes off and the car can be converted into a ceremonial vehicle

British inspectors were initially charmed by him, but a 1933 board of inquiry found him guilty of serious misconduct. Rather than dethroning him, the British imposed lifelong exile, barring him from Alwar. The Maharaja moved to Paris, the city he loved most, and lived there until his death in 1937.

What are most noticeable are a pair of gun racks on the running board, each of which can carry two rifles

His Hispano-Suiza collection featured grand, imposing automobiles in various wheelbases and body styles, with the H6B being his favourite. Hispano-Suiza built only two extended-wheelbase H6Cs for him: one remains in Alwar, while the other resides at the Dastan Autoworld Museum near Ahmedabad.

This exceptionally low-mileage example, built in 1927 with chassis no. 11760 and engine no. 320096, was acquired in the late 1970s by collector Pranlal Bhogilal when an attempt was being made to smuggle it out of India.

Most of the Hispano-Suizas ordered by the Maharaja of Alwar were bodied by Kellner in Paris. This one, though, was coachbuilt by H. J. Mulliner in London

Only 264 H6Cs were produced between 1924 and 1936, each powered by a 7982cc straight-six engine producing around 160 bhp.

The Alwar H6C, registered as Alwar 3, rode on a 3.37-metre chassis with an H. J. Mulliner Salamanca limousine body. Versatile enough to serve as a throne car, it may also have functioned as a zenana car, providing privacy for royal women. Hunting accessories, such as gun cases on the running boards and Stephen Grebel spot lamps, suggest additional uses.

Originally fitted with 23-inch wheels, the car was temporarily fitted with smaller wheels due to a lack of availability in India but has now been restored to its original specification. Remarkably, the Maharaja was a strict vegetarian, and the car featured silk interiors instead of leather, a tradition faithfully preserved during restoration.

On 6 February 2025, at the 49th Salon Rétromobile in Paris, veteran French journalist and automotive historian Serge Cordey introduced Brijesh Chinai (the son-in-law of Pranlal Bhogilal) to Modeste Tréhin, long-time president of the French Hispano-Suiza Club (Club des Anciennes Automobiles Hispano-Suiza).

Tréhin, famed for driving his J12 over 4,000 km in a single week in 2022, immediately recognised Brijesh and asked, “What are you doing with your Hispano-Suiza? When are you getting it restored?”

The car features a bank of Stephen Grebel lamps both for the headlamps and for the spot lamps

With Gilles Bonvin, Tréhin’s (and the Hispano-Suiza Club in France) expert mechanic, summoned to go to India, the restoration project began. Gilles and his fiancée Emmeline arrived in Ahmedabad in March 2025 and, within a week, revived the Hispano-Suiza.

The car was then transported to Mumbai, where Darayush Naterwalla assisted with completing the mechanical overhaul.

By late July 2025, a decisive plan was made: the H6C would be fully restored and shipped to France in time for the 2026 Salon Rétromobile on 28 January, less than four months away.

Photographed the day before the car left for Nava Sheva port, it still wears 21-inch wheels. Later, in France, the car was refitted with 23-inchers

Supercar Garage in Mumbai, under Irfan Moghul, undertook the monumental task. The team stripped the car, carried out a complete refurbishment, and preserved as much original metalwork and wooden structure as possible. Nickel-plated brightwork, repolished wooden elements, and silk-and-brocade upholstery faithful to the original configuration completed the restoration.

In just 100 days, a century-old Hispano-Suiza was reborn, ready to reclaim its place as one of India’s most extraordinary historic automobiles.

What’s more, this magnificent Hispano-Suiza H6C will be on display from today at the French Hispano-Suiza club stand - Club des Anciennes Automobiles Hispano-Suiza - at Salon Rétromobile in Paris. If you are in the city over the coming days, through 1 February, be sure to visit Salon Rétromobile and see the car at Stand K59, Hall 7.1.

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