Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:13 am Post subject: What Happened ? Hispanola 1953

If there is one thing that this forum shows, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" Some 25 years ago I was honoured to be given the opportunity to drive a 1932 Hispano Suiza. I think that Hispano produced an iconic range of vehicles. It was, by far, the strangest vehicle I have driven. The power was exceptional, but raw. The steering was connected to the front wheels because it would go around corners, but without much feeling. The brakes worked well and were either on or off, pressing harder didn't affect their response very much.

and so I have had a soft spot for these beasts. Then in 1953 they brought out this model.

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What happened to the brains and designers of this company ? I think they only made 3. It has the weird look of a Rolls Royce gone wrong.

After seeing this photo earlier today, I think I will do some research about the company.

Are there other examples of "What Happened" ?

goneps · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:04 am Post subject:

Having mentioned Rolls-Royce, Peter, you need look no further for other examples of "what's happened?". In recent years they've produced more than one utterly dreadful design—I refer in particular to the front end—so hideous as to rival or even exceed the unmitigated ugliness of America's worst (and that country is surely the world champion in that department).

Come to that, some latter-day Range Rovers are excruciatingly bad. Those responsible should take a good look at the original RR for a classic example of how to blend timeless elegance into a thoroughly functional vehicle.

Richard

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

I believe the answer here is that designers get caught up in their own imagination and no one seems to be able to stop the roller-coaster else how on earth did Fiat ever get away with the Multipla ( the first one of those that I saw displayed a sticker on the rear end that said "Wait until you see the front!"
Companies seem to have the idea "build it and the idiot public will buy it". Maybe we should stop doing so!

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Some of the one-off re-bodied Jaguars can be pretty hideous to look at, if nothing else they demonstrate how "right" older Jaguars often looked straight from the factory.

As R-R has already had a mention, who can forget the (to me) fairly monstrous-looking Camargue?

RJ
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Old Wrench · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 226 Location: Essex and France

On the subject of Hisps, did you know their mechanical brake servo, developed in the 1930s, was being used by Rolls Royce, under license right up until the first Silver Shadow?

I was faced with sorting one just once: the customer's car was the last of the Silver cloud series, saloons.

The servo was driven by a PTO from the gearbox and was an assembly of small clutch plates, engaged by a monstrous and Heath Robinson series of levers, engaged by each front/rear set of brakes!

Very tricky to adjust after replacing all the clutches!

The 1930s Hisps were lovely looking automobiles:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Hispano-Suiza_1924_H6B_Million-Guiet_Dual-Cowl_Ph%C3%A6ton.jpg

After WWII, there were a number of interesting looking cars made by the smaller companies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotchkiss_%28car%29#mediaviewer/File:Hotchkiss_Anjou_1955.jpg

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/18220/lot/506/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugatti_Type_101#mediaviewer/File:Bugatti_Type_101.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugatti_Type_252#mediaviewer/File:Bugatti_Type_252.jpg

And, I agree, Rick: Jaguar cars, both sports and saloons post WWII, indeed epitomised Bill Lyon's design and sales ethos: Grace, Pace, Space.

When I first saw the Jag XKS at launch, I fell about laughing and said it was a hybrid mix of bits of Ferrari Dino 246, TR7, Land Rover, etc.

What a dog!

Rolling Eyes

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baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

I followed some horrid modern thing the other day called "The cube". Why on earth would someone buy one?.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

poodge · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 687

The Nissan Cube is actually a very practical vehicle for someone who needs a hatchback,but also wants to carry the odd large item.
I quite like the side opening rear door,so you don't clout your head on the hatch.Unfortunately,my wife doesn't like them either,so we got a Toyota Spacio instead.(Versa in UK i think).

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7082 Location: Derby

One of the saddest things to happen to a good design is when they give it a "facelift"..

The Series 1 E type was spoilt with the Series 2 and made even worse with the Series 3.

I know the alterations were as a result of U.S.A. regulations. I also know the V 12 gave the old girl a lot more Umph but I still prefer the original.

One car I can't decide about is the Issigonis Morris Minor. I can't decide if I prefer the low light to the redesign with lights in the wings. Again a decision forced on us by the Yanks, God bless 'em.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7082 Location: Derby

I saw a mosquito prototype once in a museum but can't remember where. It was deemed too narrow and the redesigned car had an extra 4" in the middle. The original bumpers were cut in half and used in production of the Minor with a plate added. Only sketchy recall I'm afraid Confused

goneps · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:27 pm Post subject:

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7082 Location: Derby

Hey goneps, you realise I now feel glad I never tried a V12!

I deny anyone who tries a well sorted 3.8 E type not to have a grin from ear to ear Laughing

Sorry, but the 2 + 2 is simply an awful design Crying or Very sad

Old Wrench · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 226 Location: Essex and France

The early E type Jag was a wonderful looking car; however, didn't stop!

One of my mentors in circa 1960/61, was Bill Basson, who had a rambling garage in darkest rural Essex. He prepared various race cars from the 1930s on. He told me a young John Whitmore (later Sir John, Bart) came in with his new E Type, demanding Bill "Do something about the bloody brakes!"

My favourite (and I in fact had two: a FHC and a tourer) were the later Series 1 4.2. Better synchromesh. The 3.8 engine, however, was much smoother.

I totally agree, Ray: the 2+2 was an ugly dog. Reminiscent of the XK 140 FHC. Unbalanced styling.

The V 12 E Type was also a dog, IMHO: far too much weight over the front wheels and the car had lost its essential "crispness".
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Well, apart from that, did you enjoy the play, Mrs Lincoln?