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• Auction House:
  Theodore Bruce
• Sale Name:
  Classic Cars Auction
• Sale Date:
  26 Oct 2013 ~ 6.30pm
• Lot #:
  121
• Lot Description:
  1913 Alphonso XIII Hispano-Suiza Model T15
  The specifications for this wonderful of Hispano-Suiza with its original engine, chassis and front part of the bodywork are as follows: Year of manufacture: 1913. Model: T15 Alphonso XIII Long chassis. Four seater torpedo tourer body with a hood that drops into the body work behind the rear seat. Construction: Metal on ash frame with Tasmanian Oak trim. Engine number: 1986. 3.62 litre engine (80 x 180). 45 HP. 4 cylinder fixed head twin cam shafts driven by timing gear in the alloy casing at the front of the engine, offside inlet nearside exhaust 4 ports. Hispano Suzia carburettor. 3 speed gear box. Brakes rod back axle and transmission Suspension: Front - ½ elliptic with Hispano hydraulic shock absorbers. Rear - ¼ elliptic with Hispano hydraulic shock absorbers. 14.6 meter turning circle (1.5 turns lock to lock). Overall length: 4.160 meters. Wheelbase: 2.990meters. Overall height: 1.53 meters. Overall width: 1.68 meters. Front and rear track: 1.295 meters. Curb Weight : 863 kg. Wheels: Wire. Tyre size: 820x120
• Notes:
  Hailing from a Spanish firm, designed by a Swiss and produced in a French factory "La Hispano-Suiza De Automobiles" was established in Barcelona in 1904. The company very quickly acquired an enviable reputation of building outstanding motor vehicles at the very peak of European car manufacturing. The cars are renowned for their reliability, quality and innovative engineering. Designed by company founder Marc Birkigt this car was built in Paris at the Levallois-Pert factory between 8 March 1913 and 18 April 1913. The car was one of three brought from the factory on 20 April 1913 by a French salesman Baron de Burgmann and which came to Australia by way of England being shipped out in mid 1914. However with the outbreak of the First World War this car along with a number of other vehicles was off loaded in Aden and spent the war in storage there. It finally arrived in Australia in 1919 and the three cars were said to have been brought by the Victorian Fire Brigade who used them during the years between the wars. It then passed through the hands of a number of other owners before being bought in Victoria by Tim Berry who shipped it to his home in Deloraine, Tasmania and kept if for many years with the intention of restoring it. Billl Burrows and his friend Jim Sandy found out about the car while restoring a 1914 short chassis Alphonso in the early 70's. They went into partnership in 1978 to restore the vehicle in Sydney and Bill subsequently bought out his share. When Bill acquired the car it was dilapidated with only the engine cover and front bodywork up to the windscreen remaining, but significantly all the engine parts were original and matching, the other Alphonso they restored had bits from 15 different cars in its engine! Bill and Jim subsequently restored the car with Bill building the bodywork. The car has been extensively driven up to Bill Burrow's death in 2003 with him taking it to Queensland, South Australia and much of southeast Australia. We are told that it drives very well and can easily cruise at 80km per hour, and it has even been taken up to 104km per hour (its original specifications were for a maximum speed of 136kph). To make it easier to drive a more modern clutch was added to replace the original multi (46) plate clutch which still however accompanies the car and a 1913 Peugot starter generator also designed by Birkigt fitted. Since Bill's death this marvellous vehicle in superb condition has been kept intact and maintained by the family and the engine turned over regularly so that it will start with some basic recommissioning work. There are two dating certificates for the car attesting to its provenance and originality, one from the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and the second from the Veteran Car Club of Australia along with a large selection of papers and documentation from the restoration and other matters relating to this highly collectable Edwardian motor car.
• Estimate:
  A$200,000 - 250,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.