1924 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dual-Cowl Phaeton

The Roaring Twenties were in full swing when Peggy Guggenheim received this Hispano-Suiza H6B as a gift for her 25th birthday. Fitted with a limousine body by the Parisian firm Kellner, the Hispano was frequently used by Guggenheim and her husband, Laurence Vail, including on a voyage during which they “put the Hispano on a boat at Marseilles and disembarked at Algiers.” Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long, with Vail receiving the H6B in their divorce and retaining it until 1932.

The car reappeared in Switzerland in 1934 at Carrosserie Graber, where it was fitted with a striking LeBaron Sweep-Panel Dual-Cowl Phaeton body reportedly sourced from a Duesenberg Model J. Following its tenure in Europe, the Hispano-Suiza made its way to the US and, by 1941, was acquired by Chicago-based pioneering car collector D. Cameron Peck. Upon acquiring the car, Peck painted it red and black and, interestingly, added a maple leaf motif to each rear door. The Hispano remained in Peck’s care until 1948 and was acquired by the consignor’s family in 1949, with whom it has remained ever since.

With its remarkable provenance and elegant LeBaron coachwork, this H6B is a splendid example of premier prewar elegance and is ready for its next caretaker after a remarkable 77 years of continuous single family ownership.