Solved - MJW #1101 - Hispano-Suiza K6 FHC by Nabeshima 1935/38

[woodinsight]

A luxurious fixed head coupe that must have been somewhat claustrophobic in the rear.

Identify the make, model, year and coachbuilder for one point.

[woodinsight]

Experts?

[mekubb]

Bentley ?

[woodinsight]

Not a Bentley

[mekubb]

British ?

[woodinsight]

British ?

Not British

[mekubb]

French ?

[woodinsight]

French ?

The chassis is French

[mekubb]

My first thought was Delage or Delahaye, but I try something different : Hispano-Suiza J12 1935

[4popoid]

I think you are close mekubb.  That big blocky hood sure looks like a Hispano.  However, I don't think that hood looks right for a J12.  I'm going to call it a: 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6.  

The coachbuilder is something of a mystery.  I would normally say Swiss, but several things don't look quite right.  I'll see if I'm close on the chassis, then dig deeper.

[woodinsight]

Yes it's a Hispano-Suiza but not a J12.
It is a K6 that is a few years younger than 1935.
I won't lock it yet as 4popold and mekubb both guessed the chassis make but I might lock it if one of them comes up with the correct year.

[4popoid]

I think we have a problem.  All my references say that the Hispano-Suiza K6 was not released until 1934.  One reference specifically says August 1, 1934.  So either the puzzle car is a '34 (and not "a few years younger" than our '35 estimate), or it isn't a K6.  If your reference shows a '31/'32, it is likely a HS26, or Ballot, model, which the K6 replaced.  

[woodinsight]

I think we have a problem.  All my references say that the Hispano-Suiza K6 was not released until 1934.  One reference specifically says August 1, 1934.  So either the puzzle car is a '34 (and not "a few years younger" than our '35 estimate), or it isn't a K6.  If your reference shows a '31/'32, it is likely a HS26, or Ballot, model, which the K6 replaced.  

Apologies I should have made it clearer - by younger I meant the car was built later than 1935.....

[mekubb]

I found a picture of the car in a Japanese Auto Museum, saying that it's a 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6. But it didn't say who was responsible for the body. Could it be a bodied by a Japanese company ?

[woodinsight]

I found a picture of the car in a Japanese Auto Museum, saying that it's a 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6. But it didn't say who was responsible for the body. Could it be a bodied by a Japanese company ?

I now believe the chassis dated from 1935 but the bodywork was built later.
Yes, it's a Japanese-built body...

[mekubb]

The only name(s) that appear in relation to this Hispano-Suiza are Nabeshima Naohiro

[4popoid]

I think that we have located the same reference mekubb.  The car in the Japanese museum is reputed to be a: 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 with a "body designed by NABESIMA".  Apparently Mr. Nabesima was the owner/designer, but the body was actually built by unnamed "Japanese craftsmen".

[woodinsight]

Well you are both correct in naming Nabeshima as the designer/owner and I'm sure that the car was constructed by Japanese artisans (who remain unknown for now).

I'm going to award you both a point as you have obviously been working hard to solve this one.
Any further information is, of course, very welcome.

Here's another view of the car -