Hispano-Suiza J12

Hispano-Suiza J12
1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 Sport Torpedo
Overview
Manufacturer	Hispano-Suiza
Also called	T12 Type 68
Production	1931–1938
Assembly	France: Bois-Colombes (chassis only)
Designer	Marc Birkigt (chassis only)
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury car
Body style	by arrangement with the customer's coachbuilder
Layout	FMR
Powertrain
Engine	9,424 cc (575.1 cu in) OHV V-12 (11,310 cc (690.2 cu in) from 1935 on)
Transmission	3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	135 in (3,430 mm) 146 in (3,710 mm) 150 in (3,810 mm) 158 in (4,010 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Hispano-Suiza H6

The Hispano-Suiza J12 is a luxury automobile that was made by Hispano-Suiza from 1931 to 1938. It was the largest and most expensive car ever built by Hispano-Suiza. It replaced the Hispano-Suiza H6.

The J12 was powered by a 60° V12 engine with pushrod-operated overhead valves and a seven-bearing crankshaft. The engine initially displaced 9.4 L (574 cu in) with bore and stroke both being 100 mm (3.9 in) and with a compression ratio of 5.0:1, delivered 220 hp at 3000 rpm. Two cars were fitted with long-stroke engines displacing 11.3 L (690 cu in) and delivering 250 hp, and several J12s were later upgraded to the larger engine. Each engine block was machined from a single 700 lb (318 kg) billet. To demonstrate the high quality engineering and reliability of the J12, a car is driven from Paris to Nice and back without needing oil or water. The J12 is only available as a chassis, with buyers having to arrange with outside coachbuilders to build a body.

Hispano-Suiza suspended automobile production in 1938 to concentrate on the manufacture of aircraft engines.