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The Hispano-Suiza T49 was a car made by the Spanish company Hispano-Suiza between 1924 and 1944. It was the Spanish version of the French H6B model. It had a 6-cylinder engine of 8,000 cm3, 160 hp and a maximum speed of 177 km, four-wheel drum brakes, brake booster, and a three-speed gearshift with reverse.

In 1924 the T-49 prototype was tested by the company's president, Damián Mateu, who traveled from Barcelona to Paris with his driver on a two-day trip. With body type Coupé de Ville, the car was commissioned by the Spanish royal family for the private service of Queen Maria Cristina.

The manufacturing was completely Spanish. The chassis (engine, mechanics, axles, wheels, front and control panel) was produced at  La Sagrera factory in December 1925. The bodywork was designed by order. The main bodybuilders were Fiol, Farré, Roca and Badia, Mateu and Marrugat and others. They remained in the production program until 1934.

One of the first owners of this model, Alfonso Vivó Triay, from Ciudadela (Menorca) commissioned bodybuilder Juan Forcada to design a car adapted to Menorcan roads at the beginning of the XX century. Forcada then designed a "Limousine", with large interior space (Alfonso Vivó was very tall), noble woods and original ornaments. The post of "chauffeur", more uncomfortable, was reserved for a lean person. A rear trunk, manufactured by F. Raich, in Barcelona, completed the car. The vehicle arrived at Ciudadela in 1925 and was preserved throughout the twentieth century in very good condition for not having left the island. In September 2016, the car joined  the Salamanca IX Elegance Contest, obtaining the 2nd prize in the category of vintage cars.

A T-49 Torpedo model participated in the Spanish film Belle Epoque. Directed by Fernando Trueba, got the 1993 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

A Hispano-Suiza T49 from 1927 won the FIVA Villa d'Este award. The car, owned by the Englishman Marco Gastaldi, had the chassis number '7874', Weymann-type bodywork developed by H.J. Mulliner, and Marchal headlights patented by Barker. The first owner of the car was Colonel Guy Geddes (born in Burma and hero of Gallipoli) who bought it at Albemarle Motors, London, in 1927. His initials were engraved on the doors. After his death in 1958, Mike Slay, after using it for a while, left him standing in his garage. Clive Sherriff was the owner who performed a thorough set-up, although the chassis, engine and brakes were in good condition.

Related links

 * Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens