ELIZALDE TYPES

TYPE 48

The Super Cumbre

The Type 48 was an extraordinary vehicle which, on account of its unique technical characteristics, caused a major splash in the media all over the world, bringing its manufacturer great prestige, although it proved to be something of an under-performer in commercial terms in view of its high manufacturing cost and small potential market.

The name Super Cumbre does not actually feature in the manufacturer’s official nomenclature. According to the Heraldo Deportivo de Madrid newspaper, it originated from a remark made by King Alfonso XIII to the manufacturer; apparently, the Monarch «told Mr Elizalde that he would be pleased to see a coche-cumbre in Spain, equivalent to the offer available in each one of the countries where there is a genuine national industry».

Designed in the spring of 1920/21, protected by three patents (77.159 brake servo, 77.261 brake with brake servo and 77.988 engine), it made its public début the following autumn at the Paris Motor Show, where it caused a sensation on account of being the largest and most luxurious vehicle on show at the event. The picture features Arturo Luis Elizalde, who was 1.85 m tall, and whose face did not even reach the height of the radiator. The chassis was almost six metres long and included sophisticated items such as a central automatic lubrication system, a mechanically-assisted 4-wheel braking system and all types of servo assistance, including a pump for inflating the tyres that also doubled as a compressor for cleaning the car. It featured cantilever leaf-spring suspensions combined with a conventional semi-elliptical configuration.

Its inline-8 (straight-eight) “high performance” engine with a bronze cylinder head packed a displacement of 8,143 cc and four valves – a total of thirty-two – and two spark plugs per cylinder (independent double ignition) manufactured specially for Elizalde by Robert Bosch. In terms of performance, some sources refer to 150 hp at 3,000 rpm, others to 180, whereas Charles Faroux goes as high as 200. Data compiled by the Fundación Elizalde place its real power at 160 hp.

Its features are unknown, although in 1921 Stadium mentioned «two extremely high averages of 75 to 90 km/h obtained easily and with amazing regularity on recent runs on Spanish and French roads».

A techncial tour de force twhich caught the attention of Ettore Bugatti; whether or not it also inspired the creation of a similar line is purely a hypothesis formulated by the learned Manuel Rodríguez de la Viña in his famous Hojas de divulgación automovilística. Naturally, Le Patron had his own plans: the famous Royale, of even more gigantic dimensions (a wheelbase of 4.5 m), and an even bigger (12.7-litre) and more powerful (250 hp) engine, albeit with only three valves per cylinder and a 3-speed gearbox, did not arrive until some time later (in 1927), since according to Miguel Elizalde the Spanish brand still held the patents to that type of engine.

However, there are some curious coincidences: only five units of the Royale were ever produced, intended solely for “crowned heads” on account of its prohibitive price and gargantuan proportions: one of them was commissioned by King Alphonso III, who eventually withdrew the order. As well as for the Super Cumbre. According to Miguel Elizalde: «Five sets of chassis and engines of these vehicles were made. The first two were exhibited at the Paris Show, one with a fully-assembled bodywork and the other as chassis and engine to allow the attendees to get a proper look at them. Such was the luxury that the steel chassis were totally polished. Both of them were used solely by the Elizalde family. The third one built was used only for the necessary exchanges and for studies involving the connection of elements and accessories. The fourth, with a full bodywork, was used for the representatives of Spain and Latin America, although its sale to Cuba was not guaranteed».

Speculation about this Caribbean destination was kindled by the provenance of Arturo Elizalde, who may have wanted to send it to the island of his birth to demonstrate his success as a businessman, although the model that was actually shipped to Havana was probably a Type 20. There was also the rumour that the car could have been paid for by a Brazilian millionaire; and the destination of Argentina, to where some aeronautical engines were exported, although this is all hypothetical. «The fifth one was gifted to the Salle Bonanova School as an engine and gearbox»- Miguel Elizalde explained – «and was installed to give the students hands-on experience. According to Brother Clement, at the beginning of the war it was scrapped so that its two cylinder heads could be used as material for ammunition, which was a great pity since it could be used with a dynamo to generate electricity during the restrictions».