As the name implies, Hispano-Suiza was born in Spain of the genius of Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt. The most legendary "Hissos" were, however, produced in the factory in France, which opened in 1911. Most significant of the French Hispano-Suizas was the H6 of 1919, which was described by British historian T.R. Nicholson as "the last word in advanced transport for the rich."