A Hispano dressed in Tiger Skins (UPDATE: more history)

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Toby Ross recently bought a Hispano that was discovered in India about 25 years ago. It’s one of the last J12’s made. Bodied by Gurney Nutting it was supplied to the Maharaja and Marharini of Indore. It has a long chassis, with rear seats upholstered in tiger skins that makes them -according to Toby- just perfect for a back seat hanky panky ;-) The Hispano is half way through restoration, with the body in primer, sitting on its wheels, but otherwise in boxes. The interior has wonderful restored cabinetry in Pallisandre, very art deco. The top of the car was in a lighter color, saffron orange. Red and blue lights are incorporated in the front edge of the roof. Red light lit meant that the car was transporting the Maharaja, blue, the Maharini. Tony is now bolting the Hispano back together but would love to hear from readers who can help with info. If you’re really interested, Toby might be persuaded to sell the Hispano, but do think of the problems you’ll face procuring tiger skins for re-upholstering the seats!

Update by Harit Trivedi from India who knows more about the Hispano’s history: “That car was one of two identically bodied cars, the other was a Rolls Royce PIII which also survives. The Royalty were known as the Holkars of Indore. This Hispano was also one of two J12's which had made their way to India, the other was with Royalty in Gujrat and left the country before the ban on export of vintage cars was introduced in India, sometime early 1970's. Among the famous cars which were smuggled out was the Farman, Swan, Bharatpur 20HP Rolls and quite a few others. By the present owners admission, this car was also smuggled out of India, obvious since it was "discovered" 25 years ago. But it has been common knowledge in the Indian collector car circle all along.”

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