1954 Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport Coupe

By the early 1950s, sales of the Talbot-Lago show-wheelbase Sport chassis had dwindled, and the company was experiencing financial difficulties. They had limited resources to develop a new sports car chassis, but they did have Lago's engineering genius. The Grand Prix-derived T26 Grand Sport chassis was quietly dropped. The existing Lago Record chassis was redesigned and lightened to a wheelbase size of 2.90 meters. The independent suspension in the front was comprised of coil springs, giving it excellent road manners along with sporting driving qualities.

The six-cylinder T26 engine was given three inverted Solex carburetors, which helped boost horsepower by 20, to 210 horsepower at 4500 RPM.

The factory body was mounted to a design by Carlo Delaisse.

The new model was introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1953 and dubbed the T26 GSL or Grand Sport Longue. Wearing factory bodies, the GSL had only detailed differences between the cars that were built. Around a third (up to a half) have an air vent in the front fender, while the remainder does not. A few examples were given a two-tone paint scheme, with the roof, including the A- and C-pillars, in a contrasting color to the body. Some examples had wide whitewall tires, while others had blackwalls.

Unfortunately, the GSL was not a commercial success. Introduced in late 1953, production ended in late 1954 or early 1955. Around 19 to 21 examples of the T26 GSL models were built, with just 11 to 13 examples surviving.

This particular, rare example was first registered in France on December 12, 1954. The early history of the car is not known. In the 1970s, the car was used as a daily driver by Alain Spitz. By 1991, it was in Lille, north of Paris. By this point in history, the engine and chassis had been mechanically restored, and the body was in primer and disassembled. The project was sold by Charles LeMenestrel to Dr. Peter M. Larsen, who embarked upon a complete four-year restoration of the car. The current caretaker took possession of the car in 1995 and had the car brought to the United States. In his ownership, the paint and interior were freshened, bumpers were added, and the engine received further detailing and valve work.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015