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- 198,500
- Hammond, IL
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- classiccars.com
Automobiles talbot was once part of a conglomerate of both french and english companies that included sunbeam, talbot and darracq. Rather confusingly, both british and french versions of talbot cars were offered, not necessarily related to one another. Given the confusion in which s. Motors, ltd was run, it was not terribly surprising when the firm collapsed in 1935. In the fallout, the brands were split apart with sunbeam and british talbot going to the english rootes group, and the french side of talbot (formerly darracq) fell into the hands of italian-born anthony lago, who had been acting as general manager for the firm for the past year. Lago was a gifted engineer and a visionary leader, and in his new position as head of his own automobile company, he set about designing a new, high-performance engine for the current models still in production. The existing bottom-end was reworked and an all-new cylinder head was fitted with overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chambers and centrally mounted spark plugs, not unlike that of a bmw 328. The new model was dubbed grand sport in 110 horsepower form, or "baby sport" for the 80 horsepower version. All models now had independent front suspension and wilson pre-select gearboxes were fitted to the highest spec models. The new engine and chassis revisions were responsible for the survival of talbot, with chassis-only "lago ss" models supplied to many of the great parisian coachbuilders, with the likes of figoni et falaschi building some of their most iconic designs atop talbo-lago chassis. After wwii, tony lago again revised his six-cylinder engine, increasing capacity to 4. 5 liters for the t-26 and adding a re-designed head with twin camshafts and a new seven main bearing block. This powerful and robust engine proved itself a worthy competitor in motorsport, winning the grueling 24h lemans in 1950. This particular car is one of three similar designs produced for the chapron stand at the 1950 paris auto salon. From the show stand, it was sold new to a mr. Migliaccio of italy. It resurfaced in the early 1970s in the hands of none other than formula 1 world champion and noted motoring enthusiast phil hill, who had it repainted in its original black livery. In 1983 it was sold to duke davenport of tucson, arizona who thoroughly enjoyed driving and showing the car. Davenport proudly drove to and from in this gorgeous talbot-lago. Davenport's passing, the talbot-lago went to omaha, nebraska-based don sears in the late 1990s, then on to two subsequent owners, the latter of which treated the car to a sympathetic cosmetic restoration which included all new paintwork and interior trim. The flowing and streamlined design is interspersed with restrained flashes of chrome and geometric vents in the wings. It rides on gorgeous 18" rudge chrome wire wheels, with the brake drums painted medium red to accent the lighter of the two body tones. The two-tone red theme continues inside with the red seats and door cards featuring exotic ostrich inserts. Burgundy wool carpets are bound in red leather, and the interior fittings and hardware are very well-presented. The boot has been trimmed in carpet to match, and is likewise in excellent condition. Beneath the two-piece louvered bonnet lays the 4. 5-liter tony lago-designed inline six, which breathes through twin zenith carburetors. The engine, #26538, produces a very healthy 170 horsepower, driving the rear wheels via a wilson pre-select transmission, as equipped from new. It is very well presented in clean and tidy order, appearing very original and largely correct. Thankfully the restorers were careful to preserve the car's original feel, as it has only received restoration work as-needed over the years, having never been fully torn down. That original quality, in combination with powerful inline six and light, nimble race-derived chassis make this talbot-lago t-26 is an absolute pleasure to drive. Sunroof/Moonroof
198,500 Hammond, ILHammond, IL at classiccars.com