A vintage luxury car ravaged by fire stunned auction-goers by selling for $224,000 at the Amelia Island auctions, a striking reminder that in the collector car market, rarity often overrides condition.
The vehicle in question: a 1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Vanvooren Cabriolet, now reduced to a scorched shell following a devastating trailer fire. Despite its damaged state, the rare prewar luxury car sparked fierce bidding before hammering for the six-figure sum, including buyer’s premium.
Only about 120 examples of the Hispano-Suiza J12 were built between 1931 and 1938. The particular car sold was originally commissioned by French-Belgian industrialist Jean Empain and bodied by the famed coachbuilder Fernandez et Darrin. Empain used the car for cross-continental travel between Europe and Africa, and it eventually made its way to the United States after World War II.
Its most recent—and most notable—custodian was Sir Michael David Kadoorie, billionaire businessman and avid collector. Under Kadoorie’s ownership, the J12 received a no-expense-spared restoration and was displayed at some of the world’s most prestigious automotive events. It earned accolades at both the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and The Quail, including the Alec Ulmann Trophy in 2024 for its exquisite Vanvooren Cabriolet design.
The trailer fire that ultimately damaged the vehicle occurred sometime after its most recent public showing. While restoration of the fire-damaged Hispano-Suiza may be improbable, the car’s historical pedigree and extreme rarity proved enough to warrant a serious investment from a determined buyer.
The sale underlines a truth long held in the collector community: some cars are simply too rare to ignore, no matter their condition.
