talbot
talbot

This could be mysterious 13th Talbot

MENTION Talbot-Lago to any motoring enthusiast and eyes will pop as those with classic and racing car history or interest instantly recall the once-famous French brand.

It started with Alexandre Darracq, who built cars bearing his surname at his factory in Suresnes quite a while ago — 1896 — and sold it in 1922 when the name was changed to Talbot.

In 1935 Tony Lago took over and subsequent models were badged as Talbot-Lagos, which soon became premium cars, some with spectacular bodies by the likes of Figoni and Falaschi.

In 1948 the T26C grand prix racer was produced and one of them, in the hands of Doug Whiteford, won the Australian Grands Prix of 1952 and 1953. 

The next year, Talbot-Lago presented their Sport model, called the T14, at the Paris Motor Show.

It was produced in several forms – all in limited numbers, until 1959, when the last car with the famous badge was completed before Simca took control of the company. 

One of the last, and most sought after, was a striking coupe called America Coupé 2500 Sport.

Just 13 of them were built with 2.5-litre BMW engines (others had comparatively asthmatic powerplants) and one them, said to be the last one, is now on the market in The Netherlands.

The car, in French racing blue, and designed by Carlo Delaisse, was restored in the early 2000s and has covered just over 5500 miles, or under 9000km, since new. 

Delaisse was chief designer at Letourneur et Merchand Coachbuilders in Paris and the nicely proportioned T14 is said by many to have been his best work. 

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“Our car is most likely the very last one to have ever passed through the Talbot-Lago factory doors,” Gallery Aaldering says. 

“Researchers of the brand say this specific car left the factory with an engine and its interior, awaiting completion of the build. 

“This is probably why it was not counted as part of the total production run (of 12) in first instance. 

“The build on this car was completed by hand the old Talbot-Lago test driver, Georges Grimard.”

The car surfaced again in 1968, still in very good condition only needed a cosmetic re-spray. 

“The aluminium bodywork is in very good original condition with straight, thin and correctly aligned body panels,” Aaldering says. 

“The original 1958 interior trim has been very well maintained and has a wonderful patina. 

“The chassis too is completely rust-free. 

“Mechanically this 2500 Sport is completely original and in excellent condition. 

“The low mileage and excellent maintenance has meant that the car has never needed a full overhaul. 

“In short this is a very rare Talbot-Lago T14 America Coupé 2500 Sport in outstanding authentic condition.”

Gallery Aaldering is at Brummen, The Netherlands, close to the German border.

Easy to get to by plane, train, taxi or car. 

No problems if you’re stuck in Australia because of the damned virus. 

The Aaldering folk say worldwide shipping can be arranged. 

All you need is 389.500 Euros, which translates to $631,000 in our currency.

 

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