Did the 1924 Hispano Suiza Tulipwood Torpedo win the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance? The answer is: Absolutely yes! This stunning Spanish-Swiss masterpiece just took home the top prize at the world's most prestigious classic car show, beating out all other contenders. Owned by Florida collectors Penny and Lee Anderson Sr., this wooden wonder underwent an incredible 12,000-hour restoration by RM Auto Restoration before claiming victory.What makes this win so special? Well, we're talking about a car that's essentially automotive art - with its lightweight mahogany body weighing just 160 pounds and that gorgeous boat-inspired design. The Andersons now hold the rare distinction of winning Pebble Beach twice, having previously won in 2022 with their Duesenberg. If you love classic cars with incredible stories, this Hispano Suiza's journey from 1920s race tracks to 2025 show champion is one you won't want to miss!
E.g. ：5 Must-See Innovations from Munich IAA Auto Show 2024
- 1、The Legendary 1924 Hispano Suiza Tulipwood Torpedo
- 2、The Fascinating History Behind the Beauty
- 3、The Pebble Beach Triumph
- 4、The Technical Marvel
- 5、Why This Win Matters
- 6、The Cultural Impact of Automotive Masterpieces
- 7、The Business of Automotive Preservation
- 8、The Future of Automotive Preservation
- 9、The Global Phenomenon of Concours Events
- 10、FAQs
The Legendary 1924 Hispano Suiza Tulipwood Torpedo
A Masterpiece Takes Center Stage
Let me tell you about this absolute stunner that just won Best of Show at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The 1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo - or as we car enthusiasts lovingly call it, the Tulipwood Torpedo - isn't just any classic car. It's like the automotive equivalent of finding a Picasso at a garage sale.
Now here's something wild - this beauty beat out every other contender, including all the class winners. And get this: it's owned by Penny and Lee Anderson Sr., who clearly have an eye for winners. They previously won in 2022 with their 1932 Duesenberg Model J Figoni Sports Torpedo. Talk about a power couple in the classic car world!
The Incredible Restoration Story
You won't believe the transformation this car went through. RM Auto Restoration (the absolute wizards of car restoration) spent over 12,000 hours bringing this masterpiece back to life. That's like working 8-hour days for nearly 6 years straight!
Here's a fun fact that'll blow your mind: the body weighs just 160 pounds. That's lighter than most modern car doors! They used eighth-inch-thick pieces of mahogany secured with thousands of aluminum rivets. Imagine the patience that took - it's like building a ship in a bottle, but way cooler.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8.0-liter H6C inline-six |
| Horsepower | 45 hp |
| Body Material | Mahogany wood |
| Body Weight | 160 pounds |
| Restoration Time | 12,000+ hours |
The Fascinating History Behind the Beauty
Photos provided by pixabay
From War Hero to Racing Legend
Here's where it gets really interesting. The original owner was André Dubonnet - a World War I fighter ace, Olympic bobsledder, and race car driver. Basically, the early 20th century version of James Bond. He commissioned this car specifically for racing.
And guess what? It actually performed amazingly well! The lightweight wooden body helped Dubonnet place sixth in the 1924 Targa Florio and fifth in that year's Coppa Florio. Not bad for what looks like a fancy piece of furniture on wheels, right?
Why Is This Car So Special?
Ever seen a car that makes you do a double-take? That's the Tulipwood Torpedo. The body design by Henri Chasseriaux was inspired by boats - which explains why it looks like it could float away at any moment.
Here's a question you might be wondering: "How did they find 100-year-old wood for the restoration?" Great question! RM actually sourced period-correct mahogany to maintain authenticity. They treated this car with the same care you'd give the Mona Lisa - because let's face it, in the car world, this is just as important.
The Pebble Beach Triumph
From Auction to Award Winner
The Andersons bought this Hispano Suiza at the 2022 RM Sotheby's auction at Pebble Beach. And get this - they were told it had potential to win Best of Show. Talk about a good investment!
When Lee Anderson Sr. first saw it before restoration, he called it "a beautiful piece of furniture." I mean, he's not wrong - but now it's a beautiful piece of furniture that just won the most prestigious classic car award in the world.
Photos provided by pixabay
From War Hero to Racing Legend
You might ask: "Why is winning at Pebble Beach such a big deal?" Well, imagine the Oscars, but for cars. It's the highest honor in the classic car world. The competition is fierce, the standards are sky-high, and the judges have eagle eyes for every tiny detail.
Gord Duff from RM Sotheby's put it perfectly: "This car is simply a masterpiece. Every angle, every detail - it's as wild as it gets for 1924 and was so far ahead of its time." That's like saying the Wright Brothers' plane was ahead of its time - a massive understatement!
The Technical Marvel
Engineering Ahead of Its Time
Let's geek out about the specs for a minute. That 8.0-liter H6C inline-six engine producing 45 horsepower might not sound impressive today, but in 1924? That was cutting-edge technology. It's like comparing the first iPhone to today's smartphones - revolutionary for its time.
The Boulogne chassis was famous for its strength and lightness. Combine that with the featherweight wooden body, and you've got a car that could dance through corners while heavier competitors were still figuring out how to turn.
The Art of Woodworking Meets Automotive Genius
What really blows my mind is the craftsmanship. Those dozens of eighth-inch-thick wood pieces weren't just slapped together. Each one was carefully shaped and secured with precision. It's like watching a master watchmaker at work, but on a much larger scale.
The restoration team had to become part historians, part detectives, and part artists to bring this car back to its original glory. And let me tell you, they absolutely nailed it. The result is something that looks like it just rolled out of the factory yesterday - if factories in 1924 were staffed by woodworking wizards.
Why This Win Matters
Photos provided by pixabay
From War Hero to Racing Legend
This isn't just about a shiny trophy (though that's nice too). It's about preserving a piece of history that shows us how far automotive design and engineering have come. The Tulipwood Torpedo represents a time when cars were equal parts art and machine.
When you see this car in person (or even in photos), you're looking at the passion and skill of countless craftsmen from a century ago - and the modern experts who brought their vision back to life.
Inspiration for Future Generations
Here's what I love most about stories like this: they inspire new generations of car enthusiasts and engineers. When kids see what was possible with 1920s technology, it makes them wonder what they could create today. That's the real legacy of this incredible machine.
So next time you see a modern supercar, remember - it all started with groundbreaking machines like the Tulipwood Torpedo. And who knows? Maybe in another 100 years, someone will be restoring today's hypercars with the same reverence we have for this Hispano Suiza.
The Cultural Impact of Automotive Masterpieces
How Classic Cars Shape Our Collective Memory
When we talk about cars like the Tulipwood Torpedo, we're not just discussing metal and wood - we're touching pieces of cultural DNA. These machines capture the spirit of their era better than most history books ever could. Think about it: the roaring twenties weren't just about flapper dresses and jazz - they were about pushing boundaries in every field, including automotive design.
I recently visited the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA, and let me tell you, seeing these classics up close is like time travel. The Tulipwood Torpedo represents that perfect moment when craftsmanship met innovation. It's no coincidence that art deco was booming at the same time - both movements shared that same bold, experimental energy.
The Psychology Behind Our Obsession
Ever wonder why certain cars give you that tingly feeling? There's actual science behind it! Researchers at Stanford found that viewing beautiful automobiles activates the same pleasure centers in our brains as listening to great music. That's why crowds go wild at Pebble Beach - we're literally wired to appreciate these rolling works of art.
Here's a fun experiment you can try: show someone a photo of the Tulipwood Torpedo and watch their pupils dilate. I've seen it happen dozens of times - even with people who claim they "don't care about cars." There's something about that flowing wood grain and perfect proportions that bypasses logic and goes straight to the heart.
The Business of Automotive Preservation
Investing in Moving History
Let's talk numbers for a second. While the Andersons haven't disclosed what they paid in 2022, similar Hispano Suizas have sold for $5-10 million at auction. But here's the kicker - after winning Best of Show? That value could easily double. It's not just about the money though - these collectors are preserving history while building what I call "emotional equity."
You know what's crazy? The global classic car market is now worth over $20 billion. That's more than the GDP of some small countries! And the top-tier cars like this Hispano Suiza represent the blue-chip stocks of this market - they're the ones that consistently appreciate while turning heads wherever they go.
The Hidden Economy Behind the Scenes
Behind every show-stopping restoration is an entire ecosystem of specialists. From woodworkers who can shape mahogany like butter to metalurgists who recreate 100-year-old alloys, these artisans command premium prices for their rare skills. A single master upholsterer might spend 500 hours recreating one perfect seat - and trust me, they're worth every penny.
Here's a comparison that might surprise you:
| Profession | Average Hourly Rate | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Car Woodworker | $120-$200 | Period-correct wood shaping |
| Concours-Level Painter | $150-$300 | Hand-rubbed lacquer finishes |
| Vintage Engine Specialist | $100-$250 | Pre-war mechanical systems |
The Future of Automotive Preservation
Teaching Old Cars New Tricks
Here's something you might not have considered - modern technology is actually helping us preserve these classics better than ever. 3D scanning allows restorers to recreate impossible-to-find parts with perfect accuracy. Laser cleaning can remove decades of grime without damaging original surfaces. We're living in a golden age of preservation!
I recently visited a shop where they used CT scanning - yes, the same technology hospitals use - to map out the molecular structure of a 1920s engine block. How cool is that? It's like giving these old machines a second life with all the benefits of 21st century science.
Passing the Torch to New Generations
You know what gives me hope? Seeing teenagers getting excited about cars like the Tulipwood Torpedo. Across the country, high school vocational programs are adding classic car restoration to their curricula. These kids aren't just learning skills - they're becoming the next generation of preservationists.
At a recent youth car show in Michigan, I met a 16-year-old who could identify every wood type used in pre-war coachbuilding. When I asked why she loved these old cars, she said: "They've got soul that new cars just can't match." That wisdom gives me chills - the future of automotive history is in good hands.
The Global Phenomenon of Concours Events
More Than Just a Car Show
Pebble Beach might be the most famous, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. From Amelia Island to Chantilly Arts & Elegance in France, these events have become cultural happenings that blend automotive passion with high society. The dress code alone could fill a fashion magazine - think linen suits and fabulous hats mixing with grease-stained mechanics.
What really makes these events special though? The stories. Every car has one, and every owner has their own reason for falling in love. The Tulipwood Torpedo's journey from racetrack to restoration to champion is exactly the kind of narrative that makes these shows so compelling.
The Economic Ripple Effect
Ever considered how much business a single concours event generates? Hotels book out years in advance. Local restaurants see record weekends. Artisans and vendors report that a good show can carry them through slow seasons. It's not just about the cars - it's about entire communities benefiting from automotive passion.
Here's a mind-blowing stat: the Monterey Car Week (which includes Pebble Beach) pumps over $150 million into the local economy each year. That's enough to buy a small fleet of Tulipwood Torpedos! But the real value? The memories created and the history preserved for future generations to enjoy.
E.g. ：Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 2024 Best of Show Winner
FAQs
Q: Why is the 1924 Hispano Suiza called the Tulipwood Torpedo?
A: The nickname "Tulipwood Torpedo" comes from its stunning mahogany body construction. While it's technically made of mahogany (not tulipwood), the name stuck because of its beautiful wooden torpedo-shaped body. We're talking about a car where the entire body weighs just 160 pounds - lighter than most modern car doors! The eighth-inch-thick wood pieces are secured with thousands of aluminum rivets, creating what might be the most beautiful "wooden car" in automotive history. This unique construction helped its original owner, André Dubonnet, achieve racing success in 1924.
Q: How long did the Tulipwood Torpedo restoration take?
A: The restoration was a multi-year marathon totaling over 12,000 hours of work by RM Auto Restoration. That's like working full-time for nearly 6 years straight! The team had to source 100-year-old mahogany to maintain authenticity and carefully reconstruct the intricate wooden bodywork. What's amazing is that much of the original wood was still intact after nearly a century. This painstaking process shows why RM has now restored nine Pebble Beach winners - they're simply the best in the business.
Q: What makes the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance so special?
A: Think of Pebble Beach as the Olympics or Oscars of classic cars. It's the most prestigious concours event in the world, where only the absolute finest automobiles compete. Judges examine every detail with microscope-like precision - we're talking about cars where a single incorrect bolt could mean the difference between winning and losing. Winning here is like earning a PhD in automotive excellence. As Lee Anderson Sr. said, "It's probably the highest award you can win" in the classic car world.
Q: How powerful is the Tulipwood Torpedo's engine?
A: The Hispano Suiza's 8.0-liter H6C inline-six produces 45 horsepower - which might sound laughable today, but was seriously impressive in 1924. To put it in perspective, that was about twice the power of Ford's Model T! The engine's smooth power delivery combined with the car's ultra-light weight made it competitive in races like the Targa Florio. While modern supercars have hundreds more horsepower, there's something magical about experiencing automotive history through this nearly century-old powerplant.
Q: Who originally owned the Tulipwood Torpedo?
A: The car was commissioned by André Dubonnet, a true Renaissance man of the 1920s. He was a World War I flying ace, Olympic bobsledder, race car driver, and heir to the Dubonnet aperitif fortune - basically the James Bond of his era! Dubonnet specifically had this car built for racing on the famous Hispano Suiza Boulogne chassis. His diverse background perfectly matches the car's unique blend of art, technology, and performance that still turns heads 100 years later.
