As competition to the best that Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Isotta-Fraschini could offer, the J12 in many respects was the superior design.

The centerpiece of every J12 was its locomotive-like 60˚ V12 which could produce 250 bhp no a good day. The 10-liter engine used a 70 lbs crankshaft held in seven main bearings. Spark was provided by 2 Scintilla magnetos and many ancilary pieces were cast from aluminum with very low tolerances.

Much of the chassis was over-engineered to achieve a near-silent operation noise ease of use. It had fully adjustable servo-assisted brakes and the tranmission was geared for the extreme torque made by the engine.

The J12 was one of the most expensive pre-war chassis, costing $10,150.

Chassis & Sales.

14018-1936 Hispano-Suiza Type 68 J12 Cabriolet. Sold at David Gooding’s 2010 Scottsdale Auction for $1,400,000 USD. Described as “According to the Hispano-Suiza Society, chassis number 14018 was originally fitted with this wonderful, open body by Saoutchik and was delivered to its first owner on December 30, 1936. Like much of the earliest history of this car, the first owner eludes any firm information, but it is believed that a Czech film star was the original caretaker of this J12.” Owned by Michel Seydoux of Sclumberger oil fortune who had Lecoq restore the body and interior. Used in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker. Displayed at the 1988 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance