1948 Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport Fastback Coupe

The first Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport was built in 1948 following Anthony Lago's decision to produce an exclusive road-going sports chassis that could be bodied by the few surviving postwar European coachbuilders. The first of these magnificent chassis was shown at the 1948 Paris Auto Salon.

This one-off Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport was built by Joseph Figoni, the only example bodied by Figoni et Falaschi, and one of 26 surviving Grand Sports. This Fastback Coupe, which echoes aspects of Figoni's famed Goutte d'Eau (Teardrop) while also wrestling with newly emerging pontoon styles, was unveiled to the public at the 1950 Paris Auto Salon.

Its first owner, Mr. Fayolle, was known as the 'Zipper King,' and for this reason, there is a string of horizontal chrome strips above the center headlight, making this car the only one in the world with a zipper on the hood! Nothing more is known of the car's early history in France or how it came to the United States, but it resurfaced in the Los Angeles area in March 1960, when it was acquired by Lindley Locke. After just a few years, the Talbot was put into storage, where it remained for 47 years. Mr. Locke's widow, Betty, started a restoration in 2011 but was unable to complete it. In 2015 its current owner acquired the car and finished the project. The car was a Best of Show Nominee at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and it was named Best of Show at both Chantilly Arts and Elegance and Salon Prive.