Miguel Sánchez
Although mass production had already appeared with the Ford T in 1908, during the twenties the automobile was not yet a mass object. Less even in countries like Spain. where still there was enough left for the definitive flourishing of the urban middle classes. Thus, mobility for most of the population was understood around motorcycles, bicycles or the same cavalry that had been helping man in agricultural tasks for centuries. However, the brands dedicated to the luxury sector were experiencing one of their best moments.
Aimed at a clientele made up of aristocrats, big businessmen and heads of state, companies like Bugatti, Isotta Frachini, Duesenberg, Hispano-Suiza or Rolls-Royce lived their particular golden years thanks to checkbooks without fear of figures. In that sense, many of the best luxury models in history were born during the twenties. A panorama full of sedans that, however, coexisted with a wide scene in sports motoring. In fact, many of those big brands prepared some of their creations for the world of competition.
Something that configured another interesting and lucrative market niche: that of "Gentleman racers". Young, wealthy and successful businessmen who unselfishly put their lives on the line during self-funded careers. A way of being in the world disappeared as the championships became professional with the appearance of the official teams. However, until the arrival of the Second World War it was dominant under the checkered flags. The best example being that of the Bentley Boys led by Woolf Barnato and the shrewd Tim birkin. Protagonists of the best time in racing for the British brand. Just the kind of people that career models like the Soriano-Pedrosos were targeting.
SORIANO-PEDROSO, RACING CARS WITH A HISPANIC TOUCH
Diving into the history of motor sports in Spain we find an interesting reference between 1919 and 1924. It is Soriano-Pedroso. A brand that, despite having its workshops in the French town of Biarritz, cannot hide its Hispanic origins. Something similar, although on a much smaller production scale, of course, to what happened with Hispano-Suiza when it opened its Parisian factory in Bois-Colombes. Created by aristocrats Ricardo Soriano and José Luis de Pedroso Under the name of Societé des Automobiles Soriano-Pedroso, it set out to offer racing cars with a high technological level using Ballot origin engines.
Brand that would finally end up absorbed by Hispano-Suiza in 1931, but not before leaving behind a good collection of models as sophisticated as they were notorious in the competition. In any case, going back to the Soriano-Pedroso family, it must be recognized that yes, they achieved their purpose. A purpose that perhaps it was not entirely successful at the sales level. Although in technology I leave designs as interesting as their transmissions.
And is that the gearbox was not coupled to the engine. But located right in the center of the chassis, deriving the force towards the rear wheels through transverse chains. In this way, the Soriano-Pedroso family stood out for its distribution of weights responsible for facilitating a dynamic behavior above the average. One of the characteristics most valued by potential clients of the brand.
just those same "Gentleman racer" to which we alluded earlier. Interested in models created by and for the races on the path marked by the Hispano-Suiza T45 Alfonso XIII in 1911. In addition, the location chosen by the two Spanish aristocrats for the installation of their company made things easier. And it is that, after all, Biarritz it was one of the most select summer resorts in all of Europe. Congregating since the mid-nineteenth century a good part of the French and Spanish bourgeoisie.
PEDROSO ROADSTER 1928, THE ATTEMPT TO REACH LE MANS
By 1924, Soriano-Pedroso had already built some sports cars capable of rivaling even the burgeoning FIAT and Alfa Romeo racers. However, the number of units sold was really low. Given the situation, the partners separated their paths although they continued to dedicate themselves, among other things, to businesses related to mechanics. In fact, Jose Luis de Pedroso launched himself into the construction of nautical engines. Activity that could not make him forget his passion for racing, manufacturing in 1928 two units of a sophisticated engine with motor racing in its sights.
Cast from aluminium, its eight-cylinder in-line layout totaled two liters of displacement. In addition, and in the way that a year later the Bentley Blower would do, this engine had supercharging. A mechanical virgería for the time. Even more so if we take into account how it was perfected with a double overhead camshaft equipped with variable timing controlled from the control panel. At this point it only remained to install the two engines in their respective bases. For this, a chassis design was developed on stringers with leaf spring suspensions and friction dampers.
This being the case, it is not difficult to think why the two Pedroso Roadsters of 1928 were built. Neither more nor less than Le Mans. For this reason, the displacement is so adjusted to two liters, surely having in mind to be a winning option within the category of medium engines. That in which vehicles with displacements of 1,1 to 2 liters were registered. The majority in number of registered, although clearly outperformed by the Bentley, Stutz or Chrysler with more than four liters. However, Jose Luis de Pedroso had an accident in a minor race weeks before the Le Mans edition in 1928. In this way he could not reach the French event, and in fact he did not want to do it in the following years either.
When the warfare of the Second World War arrived, one of the two Pedroso Roadsters lost track of it. However, fortunately one of them was still in the hands of the heirs of the pilot and designer, being exported to the United States in 1960 by his son. From then on, the 1928 Pedroso Roadster was seen at various classic events along the East Coast. And even It was exhibited at the prestigious Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.. All this to have in the auction organized by Bonhams last 2021 its last commercial chapter for the moment. Something to celebrate in the sense of its excellent conservation. But it is also a reason for reflection as it is another model of national motorsports that is so highly valued abroad as it is unknown in our country.
Images: Bonhams
