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1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 background image

1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 Cabriolet d'Usine

  • Chassis Number: 100064
The first Talbot-Lago T26 Cabriolet was exhibited at the 1946 Paris Auto Salon, built on a new chassis with a 4.5-liter, 6-cylinder twin-cam engine developed by Talbot-Lago's chief engineer, Carlo Marchetti. The engine produced 170 horsepower, making the T26 one of the most powerful production cars of the early postwar era. The factory 'grand routiere' coachwork was based on prewar factory bodies and updated by ex-Vanvooren designer Carlo Delaisse.

This Cabriolet d'Usine is an early example characterized by the elegant windshield with no top bar and a pair of free-standing chromed headlamps. Around 155 Talbot-Lago T26s were built in 1947, but only a few were bodied as cabriolets, as they were the most expensive model, and almost all were exported. Its current owner acquired the car from the Orin Smith Collection and has just had the car restored for its visit to the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Talbot-Lago made about 750 T26s. The firm offered convertibles, sedans, and coupes, but some customers just bought the chassis and hired outside coachmakers to build the body. The new T26 Record model was exhibited at the Paris Salon in October 1946.

The car is powered by a 'hemi' 4.5-liter six-cylinder engine developing 170 horsepower and coupled to a 4-speed semiautomatic (Wilson pre-selector) transmission. The engine was developed by Major Anthony Lago during the war in conjunction with chief engineer Carlo Marchetti. It was one of the most powerful production engines in the early post-war world. The 3,970-pound vehicle has an estimated top speed of 105 mph. The chassis also was given an independent coil springs front suspension.

The body styles were based upon the original 1934 factory bodies conceived with the assistance of coachbuilder Joseph Figoni. They were tastefully updated by Carlo Delaisse, whose resume includes work at the shops of Vanvooren and Letourneur et Marchand.

This Cabriolet d'Usine T26 Record was originally sold in Belgium. It is an early production Record, delivered to Belgian agent Guerret of Brussels in late 1947 and sold to its first owner the following year. Its first-series 'factory convertible' body style has a windshield surround, with no top bar, full chrome trim, and free-standing chromed headlamps.

Believed to have come to the United States in the early 1960s, it remained in Mr. Joseph Cantore's collection until the mid-1990s. William Ruger Jr. acquired the original and unrestored car which had just 26,000 miles on its odometer. In 2004, it was given a comprehensive restoration. In all, more than 4,200 hours were spent on the restoration work.
In 2017, it was offered for sale at RM Sotheby's auction in Amelia Island on behalf of the Orin Smith collection.

2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $650,000-USD $850,000 
Sale Price :
USD $352,000

1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Talbot-Lago T-26

(Data based on Model Year 1948 sales)
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé 'Chambas'
Chassis#: 110105
Sold for USD$2,385,365
  2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable
Chassis#: 3179
Sold for USD$1,875,000
  2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
 
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet d'Usine
Chassis#: 101016
Sold for USD$165,118
  2019 RM Sothebys : Essen
 
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Coupe de Ville
Chassis#: 100238
Sold for USD$962,000
  2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet by Franay
Chassis#: 110121
Sold for USD$1,252,240
  2017 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  
1947 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet d'Usine
Chassis#: 100064
Sold for USD$352,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  
1948 Talbot Lago T26 coach 'surprofilé'
Chassis#: 102008
Sold for USD$97,759
  2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars
 
1948 Talbot Lago T26 Record Cabriolet par Saoutchik
Chassis#: 100272
Sold for USD$848,600
  2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars
 
1948 TALBOT-LAGO T26 GRAND SPORT COUPE
Chassis#: 110106
Sold for USD$1,485,000
  2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  
1948 Talbot T26 Lago Record berline
Sold for USD$85,642
  2012 Artcurial Motorcars at Rétromobile
 
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet
Chassis#: 100449
Sold for USD$143,000
  2011 The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & Company
1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 image  
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet
Chassis#: 101016
Sold for USD$159,500
  2005 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
 
1948 Talbot-Lago T26C Grand Prix
Sold for USD$594,000
  2004 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
 
1948 TALBOT-LAGO 4 PASSENGER CABRIOLET
Sold for USD$85,250
  2001 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2001
 

Talbot-Lago T-26s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1948 Talbot-Lago T-26's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Three-Position Cabriolet Coachwork by Antem1010012024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale   
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Coupe de Ville by Saoutchik1002382021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction $600,000$700,000
1948 TALBOT-LAGO T26 RECORD CABRIOLET BY GRABER1003512015 Keno Brothers : NY Auto$250,000$295,000$650,000
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet in the style of Saoutchik1101102015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey $1,700,000$2,100,000
1948 TALBOT LAGO 2008 Silver Auction Bellevue$145,000  
1948 TALBOT LAGO T 26 2008 Silver Auction Arizona in January$150,000  
1948 TALBOT - LAGO T26 DROPHEAD1030272007 Silver Auction Seattle$21,000  
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Drophead Coupe 2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona$130,000$175,000$225,000
1948 TALBOT-LAGO T26 DUBOS CABRIOLET 2006 Silver Auction Portland$22,000  

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1948 Talbot-Lago T-26

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1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 Vehicle Profiles

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