luxury cars and aviation engines pre-World War II. In 1923, its French
luxury cars and aviation engines pre-World War II. In 1923, its French

subsidiary became a semi-autonomous partnership with the parent company. In
subsidiary became a semi-autonomous partnership with the parent company. In

1946, the Spanish parent company sold all its Spanish automotive assets to
1946, the Spanish parent company sold all its Spanish automotive assets to

Enasa. In 1968, the French arm was taken over by the aerospace company Snecma,
Enasa. In 1968, the French arm was taken over by the aerospace company Snecma,

now a part of the French SAFRAN Group. Hispano-Suiza designed the first 4
now a part of the French SAFRAN Group. Hispano-Suiza designed the first 4

cylinder 16 valve engine and the car considered to have been the first sports
cylinder 16 valve engine and the car considered to have been the first sports

car, the Hispano Suiza 45 Cr. History
car, the Hispano Suiza 45 Cr. History

= Early years= In 1898 a Spanish artillery captain,
= Early years= In 1898 a Spanish artillery captain,

Emilio de la Cuadra, started electric automobile production in Barcelona under
Emilio de la Cuadra, started electric automobile production in Barcelona under

the name of La Cuadra. In Paris, De la Cuadra met the Swiss engineer Marc
the name of La Cuadra. In Paris, De la Cuadra met the Swiss engineer Marc

Birkigt and hired him to work for the company in Spain. La Cuadra built their
Birkigt and hired him to work for the company in Spain. La Cuadra built their

first gasoline-powered engines from a Birkigt design. At some point in 1902,
first gasoline-powered engines from a Birkigt design. At some point in 1902,

the ownership changed hands to J. Castro and became Fábrica Hispano-Suiza de
the ownership changed hands to J. Castro and became Fábrica Hispano-Suiza de

Automóviles but this company went bankrupt in December 1903.
Automóviles but this company went bankrupt in December 1903.

Yet another restructuring took place in 1904, creating La Hispano-Suiza Fábrica
Yet another restructuring took place in 1904, creating La Hispano-Suiza Fábrica

de Automóviles, under Castro's direction, also based in Barcelona. Four
de Automóviles, under Castro's direction, also based in Barcelona. Four

new engines were introduced in the next year and a half; a 3.8-litre and
new engines were introduced in the next year and a half; a 3.8-litre and

7.4-litre four-cylinder and a pair of big six-cylinder engines were produced.
7.4-litre four-cylinder and a pair of big six-cylinder engines were produced.

This company managed to avoid bankruptcy and its largest operations remained in
This company managed to avoid bankruptcy and its largest operations remained in

Barcelona until 1946, where cars, trucks, buses, aero engines and weapons
Barcelona until 1946, where cars, trucks, buses, aero engines and weapons

were produced. Other factories in Spain were at Ripoll and Guadalajara.
were produced. Other factories in Spain were at Ripoll and Guadalajara.

In 1910 Jean Chassagne competed with a Hispano Suiza together with Works
In 1910 Jean Chassagne competed with a Hispano Suiza together with Works

drivers Pilleveridier and Zucarelli and in the Coupe des Voiturettes Boulogne
drivers Pilleveridier and Zucarelli and in the Coupe des Voiturettes Boulogne

and the Catalan Cup Races he gained 2nd and fourth places respectively. France
and the Catalan Cup Races he gained 2nd and fourth places respectively. France

was soon proving to be a larger market for Hispano's luxury cars than Spain. In
was soon proving to be a larger market for Hispano's luxury cars than Spain. In

1911, an assembly factory called Hispano France began operating in the Paris
1911, an assembly factory called Hispano France began operating in the Paris

suburb of Levallois-Perret. Production was moved to larger factories at
suburb of Levallois-Perret. Production was moved to larger factories at

Bois-Colombes, under the name Hispano-Suiza in 1914.
Bois-Colombes, under the name Hispano-Suiza in 1914.

= World War I= With the start of World War I,
= World War I= With the start of World War I,

Hispano-Suiza turned to the design and production of aircraft engines under the
Hispano-Suiza turned to the design and production of aircraft engines under the

direction of Marc Birkigt. His chief engineer during this period was another
direction of Marc Birkigt. His chief engineer during this period was another

Swiss, Louis Massuger. Birkigt's solution to building aero engines was
Swiss, Louis Massuger. Birkigt's solution to building aero engines was

ahead of its time. Traditionally, aircraft engines were manufactured by
ahead of its time. Traditionally, aircraft engines were manufactured by

machining separate steel cylinders and then bolting these assemblies directly
machining separate steel cylinders and then bolting these assemblies directly

to the crankcase. Birkigt's novel solution called for the engine block to
to the crankcase. Birkigt's novel solution called for the engine block to

be formed from a single piece of cast aluminum, and into which thin steel
be formed from a single piece of cast aluminum, and into which thin steel

liners were secured. Manufacturing an engine in this way simplified
liners were secured. Manufacturing an engine in this way simplified

construction and resulted in a lighter, yet stronger more durable engine. Thus,
construction and resulted in a lighter, yet stronger more durable engine. Thus,

Birkigt's new construction method created the first practical, and what
Birkigt's new construction method created the first practical, and what

are commonly known today as, "cast block" engines. His aluminum cast block
are commonly known today as, "cast block" engines. His aluminum cast block

V-8 design was also noteworthy for incorporating overhead camshafts,
V-8 design was also noteworthy for incorporating overhead camshafts,

propeller reduction gearing and other desirable features that would not appear
propeller reduction gearing and other desirable features that would not appear

together on competitor's engines until the late 1920s. Another major design
together on competitor's engines until the late 1920s. Another major design

feature was the use of a hollow propeller shaft to allow projectile
feature was the use of a hollow propeller shaft to allow projectile

firing through the propeller spinner, avoiding the need for a synchronization
firing through the propeller spinner, avoiding the need for a synchronization

gear, a feature used in future Hispano-Suiza military engines.
gear, a feature used in future Hispano-Suiza military engines.

Hispano-Suiza's aero engines, produced at its own factories and under license,
Hispano-Suiza's aero engines, produced at its own factories and under license,

became the most commonly used aero engines in the French and British air
became the most commonly used aero engines in the French and British air

forces, powering over half the alliance's fighter aircraft.
forces, powering over half the alliance's fighter aircraft.

= 1918–1936= After World War I, Hispano-Suiza
= 1918–1936= After World War I, Hispano-Suiza

returned to automobile manufacturing and in 1919 they introduced the
returned to automobile manufacturing and in 1919 they introduced the

Hispano-Suiza H6. The H6 featured an inline 6-cylinder overhead camshaft
Hispano-Suiza H6. The H6 featured an inline 6-cylinder overhead camshaft

engine based on the features of its V8 aluminum World War I aircraft engines
engine based on the features of its V8 aluminum World War I aircraft engines

and a body design by the American coach designers Hibbard & Darrin.
and a body design by the American coach designers Hibbard & Darrin.

Licences for Hispano-Suiza patents were much in demand from prestige car
Licences for Hispano-Suiza patents were much in demand from prestige car

manufacturers world-wide. Rolls-Royce used a number of Hispano-Suiza patents.
manufacturers world-wide. Rolls-Royce used a number of Hispano-Suiza patents.

For instance, for many years Rolls Royce installed Hispano-Suiza designed power
For instance, for many years Rolls Royce installed Hispano-Suiza designed power

brakes in its vehicles. Through the 1920s and into the 1930s,
brakes in its vehicles. Through the 1920s and into the 1930s,

Hispano-Suiza built a series of luxury cars with overhead camshaft engines of
Hispano-Suiza built a series of luxury cars with overhead camshaft engines of

increasing performance. On the other hand, in the 1930s, Hispano-Suiza's V-12
increasing performance. On the other hand, in the 1930s, Hispano-Suiza's V-12

car engines reverted to pushrod valve actuation to reduce engine noise.
car engines reverted to pushrod valve actuation to reduce engine noise.

During this time, Hispano-Suiza released the 37.2 Hispano-Suiza car built at the
During this time, Hispano-Suiza released the 37.2 Hispano-Suiza car built at the

Hispano works in Paris. In 1923 the French arm of Hispano-Suiza
Hispano works in Paris. In 1923 the French arm of Hispano-Suiza

was incorporated as the Société Française Hispano-Suiza, the Spanish
was incorporated as the Société Française Hispano-Suiza, the Spanish

parent company subscribing to 71% of the share capital. The French subsidiary was
parent company subscribing to 71% of the share capital. The French subsidiary was

granted a large degree of financial and project independence but the technical
granted a large degree of financial and project independence but the technical

co-operation between the Spanish and French arms of the company was always
co-operation between the Spanish and French arms of the company was always

closely maintained. Luxury car production was increasingly concentrated
closely maintained. Luxury car production was increasingly concentrated

in France while the Spanish operations moved into the production of commercial
in France while the Spanish operations moved into the production of commercial

vehicles. The mascot statuette atop the radiator
vehicles. The mascot statuette atop the radiator

after World War I was the stork, the symbol of the French province of Alsace,
after World War I was the stork, the symbol of the French province of Alsace,

taken from the squadron emblem painted on the side of a Hispano-Suiza powered
taken from the squadron emblem painted on the side of a Hispano-Suiza powered

fighter aircraft that had been flown by the World War I French ace Georges
fighter aircraft that had been flown by the World War I French ace Georges

Guynemer. In 1925, Carlos Ballester obtained
Guynemer. In 1925, Carlos Ballester obtained

permission to represent Hispano-Suiza in Argentina. The agreement consisted of a
permission to represent Hispano-Suiza in Argentina. The agreement consisted of a

phase in which the chassis were imported, followed by complete domestic
phase in which the chassis were imported, followed by complete domestic

production in Argentina. Thus Hispano Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles was
production in Argentina. Thus Hispano Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles was

born, for the production of Hispano-Suiza motors and automobiles,
born, for the production of Hispano-Suiza motors and automobiles,

and also the production of spare parts for other car, truck, and bus
and also the production of spare parts for other car, truck, and bus

manufacturers. = Spanish Civil War and WWII=
manufacturers. = Spanish Civil War and WWII=

In 1936, the French arm of Hispano-Suiza was told to stop production of cars and
In 1936, the French arm of Hispano-Suiza was told to stop production of cars and

turn solely to aircraft engines once again. At the time they had just
turn solely to aircraft engines once again. At the time they had just

introduced a new series of water-cooled V-12 engines and the Hispano-Suiza 12Y
introduced a new series of water-cooled V-12 engines and the Hispano-Suiza 12Y

was in huge demand for practically every French aircraft. However Hispano was
was in huge demand for practically every French aircraft. However Hispano was

never able to deliver enough of these engines because of the outbreak of civil
never able to deliver enough of these engines because of the outbreak of civil

war in Spain, and many French fighters sat on the ground complete but for the
war in Spain, and many French fighters sat on the ground complete but for the

engine. Meanwhile, the Republic of Spain conscripted Hispano-Suiza's Spanish
engine. Meanwhile, the Republic of Spain conscripted Hispano-Suiza's Spanish

operations into war production of trucks, armoured vehicles and weapons
operations into war production of trucks, armoured vehicles and weapons

for the civil war of 1936-1939. After the war, the company was severely
for the civil war of 1936-1939. After the war, the company was severely

affected by the devastated state of the Spanish economy and the trade embargoes
affected by the devastated state of the Spanish economy and the trade embargoes

imposed by the victorious allies. In 1946, Hispano-Suiza sold off its
imposed by the victorious allies. In 1946, Hispano-Suiza sold off its

automotive assets to ENASA, the maker of Pegaso trucks.
automotive assets to ENASA, the maker of Pegaso trucks.

A development of the era were a series of 20 mm autocannon, first the
A development of the era were a series of 20 mm autocannon, first the

Hispano-Suiza HS.9, followed by the Hispano-Suiza HS.404. The 404 was
Hispano-Suiza HS.9, followed by the Hispano-Suiza HS.404. The 404 was

licensed for production in Britain and equipped almost all RAF fighter aircraft
licensed for production in Britain and equipped almost all RAF fighter aircraft

during the war. Production was also set up in the US, but these versions never
during the war. Production was also set up in the US, but these versions never

matured even though the USAAC and US Navy both wanted to use it in place of
matured even though the USAAC and US Navy both wanted to use it in place of

their existing .50 BMG weapons. A lesser-known success was the
their existing .50 BMG weapons. A lesser-known success was the

Hispano-Suiza HS.820, a higher performance 20 mm design that was also
Hispano-Suiza HS.820, a higher performance 20 mm design that was also

used in the US as the M139. A variation of the 20 mm guns used on the Lockheed
used in the US as the M139. A variation of the 20 mm guns used on the Lockheed

P-38 Lightning aircraft were produced by International Harvester. In 1970
P-38 Lightning aircraft were produced by International Harvester. In 1970

Hispano-Suiza sold their armaments division to Oerlikon, the HS.820
Hispano-Suiza sold their armaments division to Oerlikon, the HS.820

becoming the KAD. In 1940, Hispano-Suiza, together with
becoming the KAD. In 1940, Hispano-Suiza, together with

the Spanish bank Banco Urquijo and a group of Spanish industrial companies,
the Spanish bank Banco Urquijo and a group of Spanish industrial companies,

founded the 'Sociedad Ibérica de Automóviles de Turismo'. This led to
founded the 'Sociedad Ibérica de Automóviles de Turismo'. This led to

Spain's first mass-production car maker SEAT.
Spain's first mass-production car maker SEAT.

= 1950s–Today= After the Second World War the French
= 1950s–Today= After the Second World War the French

arm of Hispano-Suiza continued primarily as an aerospace firm. Between 1945 and
arm of Hispano-Suiza continued primarily as an aerospace firm. Between 1945 and

1955, building the Rolls-Royce Nene under licence, designing landing gear in
1955, building the Rolls-Royce Nene under licence, designing landing gear in

1950 and Martin-Baker ejection seats in 1955. The company's attention turned
1950 and Martin-Baker ejection seats in 1955. The company's attention turned

increasingly to turbine manufacturing and, in 1968, it was taken over and
increasingly to turbine manufacturing and, in 1968, it was taken over and

became a division of SNECMA. In 1999 Hispano-Suiza moved its turbine
became a division of SNECMA. In 1999 Hispano-Suiza moved its turbine

operations to a new factory in Bezons, outside Paris, using the original
operations to a new factory in Bezons, outside Paris, using the original

factories for power transmissions and accessory systems for jet engines. In
factories for power transmissions and accessory systems for jet engines. In

2005 SNECMA merged with SAGEM to form SAFRAN.
2005 SNECMA merged with SAGEM to form SAFRAN.

The marque may be seeing a revival in the automotive sector with the showing
The marque may be seeing a revival in the automotive sector with the showing

of a model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show Cars
of a model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show Cars

The models H6B, H6C, Hispano Suiza Junior or HS26, J12 and K6 were made by
The models H6B, H6C, Hispano Suiza Junior or HS26, J12 and K6 were made by

the French division, the rest were all manufactured in Spain.
the French division, the rest were all manufactured in Spain.

Aircraft Hispano Aviación HA-43
Aircraft Hispano Aviación HA-43

Hispano Aviación HA-100 Triana Hispano Aviación HA-200 Saeta
Hispano Aviación HA-100 Triana Hispano Aviación HA-200 Saeta

Hispano Aviación HA-220 Super Saeta Hispano Aviación HA-300
Hispano Aviación HA-220 Super Saeta Hispano Aviación HA-300

Hispano Aviación HA.P-300 manned glider version of the HA-300
Hispano Aviación HA.P-300 manned glider version of the HA-300

Hispano Aviación HA-1109 Hispano Aviación HA-1112 -K, 1942
Hispano Aviación HA-1109 Hispano Aviación HA-1112 -K, 1942

Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M, 1942 Hispano Aviación HS-34 biplane trainer
Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M, 1942 Hispano Aviación HS-34 biplane trainer

Hispano Aviación HS-42 Hispano Barrón, 1919
Hispano Aviación HS-42 Hispano Barrón, 1919

Hispano-Suiza E-30, 1930 Hispano-Suiza E-34, 1935
Hispano-Suiza E-30, 1930 Hispano-Suiza E-34, 1935

Aircraft engines Gallery
Aircraft engines Gallery

See also Hispano-Argentina
See also Hispano-Argentina

Ballester-Molina References
Ballester-Molina References

External links Company history at RitzSite
External links Company history at RitzSite

French Hispano-Suiza webpage Hispano-Suiza webpage
French Hispano-Suiza webpage Hispano-Suiza webpage

Gallery of Hispano-Suiza cars Hispano-Suiza truck&bus history
Gallery of Hispano-Suiza cars Hispano-Suiza truck&bus history

"Hispano Suiza 12B" a 1949 Flight article
"Hispano Suiza 12B" a 1949 Flight article