A relic from the early days of using planes as weapons of war, this 11.8-liter WWI-era Hispano-Suiza engine has a 37mm cannon mounted directly between its cylinder banks. In other words, it is perhaps the most badass engine of all time.

In the winter of 1944, five Dutchmen dressed like college professors escaped from the Nazi-occupied Netherlands under the cover of darkness, in a small boat powered by a Chevrolet straight six and the fuel tank out of a Hispano-Suiza racecar. Here's how they did it.

This week's Geneva Motor Show features greenwashing finally invading the exotic-car realm — Lotus, Ferrari, and Porsche all debuted a hybrid. These cars won't save the planet, but they might just get a few rich dudes laid.

To make this coupe, the once-defunct and now again living Hispano Suiza disassembled and lengthened an Audi R8 5.2 FSI. Also, they made it really, really ugly and really, really expensive. $949,000 expensive. And oh, look, a hybrid!

Photo Credit: Peter Orosz

A report from AutoBILD.de claims the latest Hispano-Suiza model is Geneva-bound — and by "latest" we mean the first one in nearly 75 years. It'll supposedly be offered as an uglier and more expensive hybrid variant of the Audi R8.

Peugeot 203, Citroen DS, Renault Alpine. Only the best headlights and other automotive memorabilia are on display at the Paris Retromobile Show. More photos of classic beauties, including a Matra, below.