1947 Talbot-Lago T-26 Record Drophead Coupe

Talbot was one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in France and one of the oldest in the world. Its history includes several acquisitions, ending as a subsidiary of Britain's Sunbeam. In 1933, Antonio Lago was sent by Sunbeam management to the Automobiles Talbot factory in the Paris suburb of Suresnes.

The Talbot inline six-cylinder engine was a reliable unit though it was lacking in performance. Lago solved that shortcoming by designing a hemispherical combustion chamber pushrod overhead valve cylinder head for the engine. The result was more performance yet retaining its proven reliability. Lago later resigned from Sunbeam to focus his full attention on developing Talbot. The displacement size eventually grew to 4.5-liters, and became successful in both Grand Prix race cars and sports cars.

After the Second World War, Talbot resumed production of its pre-war models. By this point in history, the engines had twin camshafts that were located high in the block, operating the hemi-head valves through short pushrods and rockers.

The Talbot-Lago T26 Record models were fitted with dual carburetor engines rated at around 170 horsepower. In keeping with Lago's early career history, Wilson's pre-selector transmissions were used, where he had worked early in his career.

The first owner of this T26 Record Cabriolet was a French naval officer who took ownership in early 1948. It was treated to a restoration in the 1990s by Richard Adatto. It won its class at Pebble Beach in 1992 and has won several other significant awards since that time. It is a CCCA Senior National First Prize winner, which it earned in 1994. It won its class, was judged 100 points, and obtained senior status.

The car is painted Blue with Grey leather upholstery, a Black cloth top, and a Tan cloth top boot. The car rides on Blackwall Michelin tires and chrome wire wheels. It has factory coachwork that has a design heavily influenced by the French coachbuilder, Figoni et Falaschi. Each Record is slightly different, having been hand built and tailored to the client's specifications.

The first owner of this car was a French naval officer who took ownership on December 16th, 1948.

In 2008, this 1947 Talbot-Lago T-26 Record Cabriolet was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $375,000. A high bid of $214,500 including the buyer's premium was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimated to sell for $260,000 - $290,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $175,000 US dollars.

In 2009, this 1948 Allard M Type Coupe was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $180,000-$230,000. The lot failed to sell after receiving a high bid of $160,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2009