The charred remains of a 1934 Hispano Suiza Concours were sold for $224,000.

      Broad Arrow Auctions

      In recent years, multiple auction outcomes have demonstrated that significant damage doesn't deter bidders if the vehicle is extraordinary enough. Broad Arrow Auctions added another entry to the “whoa, it sold for how much?” list during its Amelia Island event. They sold a 1934 Hispano Suiza J12 Vanvooren Cabriolet that was reduced to ashes in September 2024 for $224,000, which includes the buyer’s premium. That amount surpasses the cost of a new Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

      This J12 is one of about 120 units produced between 1931 and 1938, commissioned by Belgian baron Jean Empain and equipped with a body created by the French coachbuilder Fernandez et Darrin. Empain used the vehicle for travel throughout Europe and Africa, and the large convertible must have attracted attention wherever it appeared. After World War II, it was brought to the United States, but it likely returned to Europe later as it bears the registration number 3388 DR 75, which was issued in Paris in 1954. The “HK” badge on the rear fender on the passenger side hints that it also spent time in Hong Kong.

      Michael Kadoorie owned and restored this J12, likely explaining its Hong Kong association, and the car was showcased at several prominent events during the 2010s and 2020s. It was notably featured at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2013 and again at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, in 2016. The J12 made its way back to Pebble Beach in 2024, where it earned the prestigious Alec Ulmann Trophy, but that trip to California proved to be its last for at least a few years.

      Regarding its current state: It caught fire while being transported in an enclosed trailer on Highway 68 near Monterey on September 4, a detail some readers may recall.

      The truck driver suffered minor injuries, and the J12 was entirely consumed by flames. Photos taken by Broad Arrow Auctions reveal the full extent of the destruction, and the sight is grim. The V12’s valve covers have melted, all six tires are flat, the interior is non-existent, and the wood scattered around the cabin resembles charcoal. At first glance, anyone could mistake it for destined for the junkyard, but this is no ordinary vintage car. Before the fire, it was valued at about $2 million, and someone believes it can regain that worth.

      The car was auctioned without a reserve price, meaning it could have gone for as little as $3.50 or as much as $1 million. The winning bidder, who remains anonymous, will be taking it home after paying $224,000, which includes a 12% buyer’s premium for cars sold under $250,000. This J12 requires extensive restoration—essentially everything needs to be addressed—but its rarity should make the restoration feasible from an economic standpoint.

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