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Watch Jay Leno Fall In Love With A Rare Gem From The 1930s
Jun. 04, 2022 12:26 PM ET by Jarryd Neves Video / Comments The Hispano-Suiza J12 is the ultimate in upper-crust motoring. If you desire the most luxurious car in the world, look no further than the imperious Rolls-Royce Phantom. For years, the big Brit has been the preferred mode of propulsion for the world's plutocrats and, thanks to a host of recent updates, it will remain so. Few cars come close to the majestic Roller; Bentley's defunct Mulsanne came close and Maybach failed dismally with the 57/62. It wasn't always this way, though. In the bustling 1920s and '30s, several marques could give the Goodwood-based brand a run for its money - one of them was Hispano-Suiza. The luxury brand was once considered to make the finest cars in the world, a statement backed up by Jay Leno's latest video, which showcases the absolutely gorgeous 1933 J12. Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Even in the middle of Leno's incredible collection, the two-door beauty stands out from the crowd. Just 120 examples of the J12 Type 68 were built, and thanks to the exceptionally rare bodywork, this one is rarer still. "The coachwork was done by Henry Binder. This is one of only nine J12s [he] made. This is the only one that's sitting on a 146-inch wheelbase," explains the Nethercutt Collection's Cameron Richards. The gorgeous luxury car gains motivation from a 9.4-liter V12 with 250 horsepower on tap - not impressive by modern standards, but phenomenal in the 1930s. When new, the J12 was capable of reaching speeds of more than 100 mph. Richards remarks the J12 was one of the fastest cars money could buy when it was first introduced. The cabin is crafted with the finest materials; sumptuous leather lines the four seats, uplifted only by the slab of wood trim on the dashboard and the meticulously crafted controls. Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Owned new by Suzanne Deutsch de la Meurthe (an heiress and pioneer of aviation), this particular J12 has a rich and varied history. From behind the wheel, Leno has nothing but praise for the Hispano-Suiza. "This is a great motor ... [it has] a beautiful transmission, a synchromesh which had just come out in 1932. It really is fast." As the pair cruise around Los Angeles, Leno asks Richards how much the J12 is worth. Due to its rarity, he says the Hispano-Suiza is easily worth a couple of million dollars. "[This] was the premier luxury car of the 1920s. I think it was ahead of the Rolls-Royce," adds Leno. In recent years, the Hispano-Suiza nameplate has made a return. The all-electric Carmen Boulogne may not be as beautiful as its predecessors, but it's certainly as pricey and exclusive. Renowned car collector Michael Fux recently added one to his collection and, with just 14 examples slated for production, it's nearly as rare as the J12. Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Jay Leno's Garage/YouTube Join The Discussion
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Rolls-Royce Phantom Jarryd Neves Associate Editor After wandering onto the wrong career path, Jarryd quickly abandoned his legal studies to pursue a career in journalism. An internship at a leading motoring magazine nurtured his love for reporting and prepared him for the world of finance and investment writing. Thrilling as it was, Jarryd's first love has always been motoring, and joining CarBuzz in 2022 put him back where he belongs - covering the latest automotive news and events. In his spare time, he trawls the classifieds for cheap (and ruinous) classic luxury sedans or simply cruises around in his own aging German luxobarge. Contact Jarryd @jarrydneves LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top