Owned and restored by Nick Williams of Leintwardine, Herefordshire
It was 3 years ago that a young man approached the trust with a nomination for an award for a most unusual vehicle, in this case a 1924 Hispano-Suiza motor car. He had just purchased it and in doing so became the proud owner of a slice of motoring history. Hispano-Suiza was a Spanish automotive–engineering company and, after World War II, a French aviation engine and components manufacturer. It is best known for its pre-World War II luxury cars and aviation engines. In 1923, its French subsidiary became a semi-autonomous partnership with the Spanish parent company.
Shortly after this the French branch, operating from their factory just outside Paris, designed and built a handful of cars, without bodywork, which were exhibited at the 1924 Salon de Paris Automobile Show. This was one of them. Never registered, never bodied it eventually popped up at a Bonhams auction and Nick was determined to have it. And have it he did, moving heaven and earth to procure it and get it back to his workshop where he has spent the last 3 years scouring the globe and a variety of online auction outlets to gather together all the things he needs to commence work that has effective3ly been “on hold” since 1924.
With bodywork now underway to Nick's demanding period design it will not be long before this mighty motor car graces the automotive catwalk at prestige events where it will wow the crowds just as it must have done back in 1924. For his single-minded determination to see this amazing project through Nick is thoroughly deserving of this award.