Talbot-Lago T23 Major 4-Litre Cabriolet 1939 - World Of Classic Cars -

Talbot-Lago T23 Major 4-Litre Cabriolet 1939

By 1933, despite Talbot-Lago’s racing successes at Le Mans, Indianapolis, and the French Grand Prix, the sales branch in Suresnes was in danger of bankruptcy. In fact, it seemed that Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq was on its last legs when a young Italian engineer named Anthony Lago was appointed general manager in 1934. After having worked with Sunbeam and Wilson, Lago ultimately found his way to Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq, which sent him to France in a last-ditch effort to save Automobiles Talbot.
Lago hired an engineer named Walter Brecchia, with whom he created the first Talbot-Lago to be based on a Talbot-Darracq three-litre Type K78. Although these first cars were nicely designed, they were hardly exciting driving machines, as they were ill-suited for racing and had poor platforms for elegant custom coachwork.

Talbot-Lago T23 Major 4-Litre Cabriolet 1939

Brecchia’s next engine proved to be a brilliant design, however. It was based on the seven main-bearing six-cylinder K78 block, its displacement was increased to four litres, and a new cylinder head was fitted, which dramatically improved both breathing and volumetric efficiency. The engine featured a hemispherical head design, where a valve gear was actuated by a low-set camshaft and crossed pushrods acted through both long and short rocker arms. With twin Solex carburettors, the new six could produce 140 horsepower at 4,200 rpm.
The engine was also remarkably race-worthy, as all three Talbot Lagos in the 1936 French Grand Prix finished in the top 10, putting up a good battle against the Bugattis before mechanical problems slowed them down. The following year, Talbot Lagos came in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th at the same race. Lago’s dream of producing one of the world’s greatest sports cars was now a reality.

Talbot-Lago T23 Major 4-Litre Cabriolet 1939

The “Baby Talbot” presented here, chassis number 93615, is a desirable long-chassis Major model that has beautiful Talbot-built cabriolet coachwork. It has been in the family of its present owner, a well-known collector of classic cars, since 1971, when it was acquired from another long-term owner, a prominent architect in Zurich, Switzerland. Over the past few years, a complete restoration was performed by Swiss marque experts, which, along with the car’s history, is well-covered by a collection of accompanying receipts and correspondence. Amongst the work performed was a complete inspection of the wooden body framework, where new pieces were installed through the use of proper kiln-dried ash wood; a rebuild of the transmission; and a new top, headliner, leather upholstery, and carpeting for both the interior and luggage compartment. Trim found throughout the car is beautiful chrome-plated brass.

Talbot Type AG 14/45 HP Five-Seater Tourer by Darracq 1929 - World Of Classic Cars -

Talbot Type AG 14/45 HP Five-Seater Tourer by Darracq 1929

In 1916, Georges Henri Roesch became chief engineer of Clement Talbot, Ltd., of London, originally an importer of French Clément-Bayard automobiles but builder of British Talbot cars from 1906. Born in Switzerland, Roesch came with experience from Grégoire, Delaunay Belleville, Renault, and Daimler. He set about designing a new range of cars for the post–Great War era, but this only came to fruition after the formation of the Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq combine in 1920. His brilliant 14/45 model, a light six-cylinder car with a high-revving engine, came just at the right time, for S-T-D Motors, Ltd. was in dire straits. It proved very popular and was built from 1926–1932.

Talbot Type AG 14/45 HP Five-Seater Tourer by Darracq 1929

The Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Register records that this 14/45 Tourer, chassis number 25065, was originally sold to Maude’s Motor Mart of Exeter, UK. It was ordered on 19 February 1929, invoiced the next day and delivered the following week on 27 February. In previous ownership, it was restored over an extended period from the 1970s until 1996. Its original registration, RL 9317, a 1929 Cornwall issue, remains with the car.
Bearing five-seat open coachwork from Darracq Motor Engineering Co., which had been Alexandre Darracq’s aeronautical company during the Great War, this car is the quintessential British tourer. Harmoniously finished in deep blue with black wings and a black hood and tonneau cover, it has restrained nickel brightwork. Notable period features are direction signals atop the rear number plate, a fishtail exhaust, and leather-gaitered springs.

Talbot-Lago T150 - World Of Classic Cars - Rank 40

Of all the cars available in in the art deco era, the T150C was almost always transformed into rolling sculpture. Most of the cars were bodied by Figoni et Falaschi into some of the most voluptuous shapes sometimes referred to as the 'Goutte d'Eau' or teardrop.

Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Roadster

During its era, the teardrop, also known as the 'Goutte d'Eau', was one of the select few automobiles that both redefined automotive style and won top-level races. Having successfully combined racing function and elegant form, the Teardrop became trend setting and motivated many other French manufacturers to consider more streamlined design.

While all of the French coach builders contributed to the styling 'renaissance' of the thirties, none did so quite much as Italian-born Giuseppe Figoni. He teamed with businessman Ovidio Falaschi to create one of the most prolific and successful French design companies: Figoni et Falaschi.

Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Roadster 1938

The Teardrop was Figoni et Falaschi's most coveted work. It was, in a sense, a revolt against the more functional cars from the twenties. Here was a design devoid of any straight lines, one decorated with sensual curves which advertised speed without even moving. This style was emphasized by the diminishing pontoon fenders, called 'enveloppantes' by Figoni, and a converging rear end that could be called a fastback.

Figoni's flowing designs were first seen in 1935 and on the Delahaye 135 chassis. These were a direct response to the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier launched a year earlier at the 1934 Frankfurt Motor Show. By 1937, the Talbot Teardrop became the ultimate expression of this streamlined era and made its seminal mark in Paris as well as the 1937 New York Auto Show.

Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Roadster

Throughout production Figoni played with the design, creating some roadster versions and other variations on different chassis. Pourtout was commissioned to built at least two teardrop coupes which were different in detail from the Figoni body.

T150C Chassis & Racing

With its independent front suspension, lightweight construction, excellent braking and low ride height the T150C chassis was focused on competition. It also benefited from Talbot's rich heritage in motor sport and included engineering similar to the Talbot which won the 1937 French Grand Prix. The definitive version of the T150 was the shortened and lighter SS chassis which the New York Style Teardrops were built upon.

Talbot-Lago T150 C

Before creating his vision of a supercar, engineer Antonio Franco Lago traveled to England in the 1920s. There, he eventually found investors willing to offer the capital needed to purchase his needed licenses. The first of these was a Wilson pre-selector gearbox which was complex, but allowed the driver to select the next gear in advance and then simply dab the clutch. Armed with this transmission and a suspension design from Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq Antonio moved back to France on a mission.

Talbot-Lago T150-C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe 1938

Working with engineer Walter Brecchia, Lago turned the Talbot T120 into the Talbot-Lago T150. The transformation included a new cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers and the Wilson gearbox. Immediately the sporting pedegree of the T150 was apparent and a 3-liter car contested LeMans in 1935 but retired. The following year the engine was increased to four litres to match 1936 regulations. Unfortunately, the larger car didn't achieve any sales success or race success.

Talbot-Lago T150-C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe 1938

In 1937 Lago announced the T150C, a lightweight variant of the old chassis that stood for course or competition. These won the Tunisia, Montlhèry race as well as the British Tourist Trophy. Later in the year, Talbot released his road-going versions. The first of these was named SS after the American term Super Sport. They had a short wheelbase of 2.65m. A longer 2.95m variant was offered called Lago Speciale and was generally meant for more luxurious bodies. By 1937, Figoni et Falaschi had struck a deal with Talbot-Lago to create teardrop bodies for both versions of their chassis.

Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé 1938

The first Teardrop was shown in August of 1937 at the Paris-Nice Criterium de Tourism. Featuring the 4-litre engine and shortened version of the competition chassis the completed car was good for 100 mph.

Remarkably, one showroom stock Teardrop raced and placed third overall at the 1938 24 Hours of LeMans. The following year 90117, a specially prepared T150C SS featuring aluminum bodywork, an outside fuel filler and other special components, raced under Luigi Chinetti, but retired on

Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé 1938

 the 88th lap. These Lemans cars were followed up by a another car won its class at the 1948 24 Hours of SPA. During these races, the Talbots faced stiff competition from Alfa Romeo and Bugatti.

Talbot-Lago T150-C

Talbot-Lago T150-C

Talbot-Lago T150-C