Convincing Verdict for Mahagoni Racing Car in Court Case
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In a fascinating turn of events, a 1924-built Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo has recently made headlines for its remarkable restoration and subsequent victory at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2025. This article, penned by Dominik Hochwarth of VDI Verlag, delves into the intricacies of this historic vehicle and its groundbreaking design.
Over a period of two years and 12,000 hours of meticulous work, the restoration team at RM Auto Restoration breathed new life into the iconic car. The car's engine, an 8.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, known for its smooth running and high-speed capabilities, was preserved, while the original wood body was retained in large parts. Where replacement was necessary, 100-year-old mahogany was sourced to maintain the material properties.
The car's body, manufactured by Nieuport-Astra, a French aircraft manufacturer, was crafted from thin, hand-carved strips of mahogany wood riveted together—a total of about 8,500 rivets. This innovative approach resulted in an exceptionally light body weighing only about 160 pounds. The aerodynamic shape of the car, resembling a boat more than a car, was designed to minimize air resistance.
This design was significant in the automotive industry because it dramatically reduced the car’s weight while maintaining structural integrity. The lightweight mahogany body allowed the large and powerful car to perform with remarkable agility and endurance, competing effectively in major endurance races like the Targa Florio and Coppa Florio.
The Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo's innovative lightweight design approach was inspired by aircraft construction methods. André Dubonnet, the car's client, was a fighter pilot in World War I, and he sought a car with agility despite its large engine capacity. Dubonnet later developed an independent suspension system that General Motors adopted.
The restoration of the Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo was completed in 2022, and the car went on to win the top prize at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2025, marking its third victory in Pebble Beach and the first since 1989. This event featured 229 models from 22 countries, including a Bugatti convertible designed by Virgil Exner from the 1960s, a Chrysler Town & Country with a bull's head on the hood, and Formula 1 cars driven by Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda.
In summary, the Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo represents a blend of materials and craftsmanship that was revolutionary for its time. Its wooden lightweight construction, with the body made from thin, hand-carved strips of mahogany wood riveted together, paved the way for lightweight construction principles in automotive engineering. This innovative approach enabled high performance and endurance racing success despite the car’s large size and powerful engine, and it continues to be celebrated for its engineering audacity and elegance.
