As with many Full Classics, the coachwork fitted to the mighty Hispano-Suiza J12 varied from formal and upright, to smooth, sleek, and sensual.

Firmly in the latter category was the berline body mounted by the renowned Parisian firm, Fernandez et Darrin, to chassis number 13041.

Featuring exceptionally full-figured, deeply crowned fenders; a low and shapely rounded roofline, moving in a continuous curve to the rear of the car; windows cut at the same flamboyant rake of the windscreen; no side-mounted spares; and a broad polished sweep delineating the beltline, it was and remains an exceptionally attractive design, bringing to mind the “four-door coupe” nomenclature more popular with later automakers.

According to information in the file from historians Marc Rabineau and Herve Pannier, chassis number 13041 with engine number 321127 was originally delivered on 30 September 1936 to Marcel Bloch, of the aircraft firm Société des Avions Marcel Bloch in Paris, for whom it was registered a...