Hispano-Suiza H6 Coupé Pininfarina

The Hispano-Suiza H6 Coupé bodied by Pinin Farina in 1931 constitutes a one-off example of interwar European custom coachbuilding. Executed for Count Carlo Felici Trossi, the car was based on the Hispano-Suiza H6 chassis, which was delivered to customers without bodywork, allowing bespoke commissions by independent coachbuilders. Few such commissions were executed by Pinin Farina, which had been recently established by Battista Farina. This particular example represents one of the earliest collaborations between Farina’s atelier and the French manufacturer. The body was designed by Mario Revelli di Beaumont, whose work during this period was marked by compact proportions and stylistic clarity. Unlike many contemporaneous coupés, the H6 Farina model presents a carriage-style silhouette with a distinct absence of side running boards. A single step grants access to the passenger compartment. The proportions are characterized by a relatively small greenhouse and a short rear overhang, contributing to the overall impression of visual lightness. The body features a two-tone paint treatment and restrained exterior ornamentation, with the design emphasizing volume transitions and surface refinement over embellishment. Interior materials include mahogany woodwork and upholstery in Connolly leather. The interior configuration supports two principal seats in front with an abbreviated luggage compartment to the rear, enclosed by a steeply raked tail. Mechanically, the H6 chassis is equipped with a 6.6-litre inline-six engine derived from Hispano-Suiza’s earlier aircraft applications. The engine is mated to a three-speed gearbox and features servo-assisted mechanical brakes developed under a license from aviation systems. Performance figures were consistent with high-performance touring cars of the early 1930s. The H6 Coupé Pininfarina remains one of a small number of Hispano-Suiza examples bodied by this coachbuilder, included the H6 Cabriolet and the Coupé de Ville, and is understood to be unique in its configuration. It survives as a period example of early 1930s bespoke Italian coachwork on a French luxury chassis, conceived during a formative phase of both Pinin Farina’s output and Mario Revelli di Beaumont’s design practice.