1933 Talbot AV95/AV105 Alpine Team Car Replica

Registration no. EP 5451 Chassis no. 35071

Footnotes

Talbot's reputation for producing highly effective competition cars owed a lot to the efforts of the Tolworth based motor dealership and racing preparation specialists, Fox & Nicholl, which looked after the works team from the beginning of 1930 to the end of 1932. The Fox & Nicholl Talbot 90s had dominated the 3-Litre class in prestigious international events such as the Le Mans 24-Hour race, despite displacing only 2.3 litres. For 1931, designer Georges Roesch produced a new car with a full 3-litre engine, which was lighter than its 2.3-litre predecessor and featured much larger valves in a staggered layout, giving improved breathing, the new model being named the AV105.

Famously registered 'GO 51' to 'GO 54' consecutively, the four Fox & Nicholl Talbot 105s enjoyed an outstanding run of successes during the 1931 and 1932 seasons. Highlights of the latter included 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class at the Brooklands 'Double Twelve' in 1931; 3rd overall at Le Mans and 1st un-supercharged car in 1931 and 1932; 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class in the Brooklands 500 in 1931 and 1st and 2nd in 1932; and 1st and 2nd in class at the TT in 1931 and 1932. There was also a glorious failure in the Mille Miglia in 1932 when a lone entry crashed after 900 miles when in 4th place overall.

In addition to its racetrack successes, the AV105 proved to be a formidable rally car. Roesch had always tested his cars in the Alps so it was no surprise when journalist Humfrey Symons borrowed an example to compete in the 1931 Coupe des Alpes (Alpine Rally). He lost no marks and won a Coupe des Glaciers, the highest possible award for a single entry.

The following year a more serious bid was mounted and a team of three tourer-bodied AV105s were prepared for the 1932 event by Fox and Nicholl. These cars were extremely successful, finishing without any penalties, and winning the Coupe des Alpes outright. Another AV105 team, this time with paired down cycle winged four-seater bodies (the famous 'BGH'-registered cars) repeated the feat in 1934. The 'BGH' cars were the ultimate development of the competition Talbot and as such arguably represent the ultimate pre-war British racing sports car.

Originally an AV95 saloon, this car was bought in the 1990s by renowned marque specialist Ian Polson from Talbot historian James Fack, who had found it on the Welsh coast. By then the car had already lost its body but was fundamentally a good, very complete, low-mileage example. Since a 95 is very close to an AV105 - it only has a taller radiator and slightly longer wheelbase - the decision was made to fully restore the car and convert it into a replica of the very successful 'BGH' team cars from the 1934 Alpine Trial. This was done as accurately as possible: lower radiator and bulkhead, and chassis shortened to 9' 6", these works being done in 1998 when the car was sold to the late owner. The Polsons finished the project for the owner in 2001 (see invoices and correspondence on file). Subsequent work and maintenance was carried out on the car by various specialists local to the deceased.

Since its completion, the Talbot has been used on numerous Continental rallies including the Coppa Milano, Route of St James, etc. Unused for the last couple of years due to ill health, 'EP' will require re-commissioning before serious use. When inspected recently, the car started readily and ran cleanly on all six cylinders, displaying good oil pressure. The car was driven for a short distance in first and reverse and appeared to perform nicely.

Now as then, a 'BGH' Alpine Team Car replica is an excellent pre-war-era rally car, ideally suited to popular events such as the Flying Scotsman, Shamrock, and 1000 Mile Trial rallies.