1956 Talbot-Lago 2500 Sport Coupe

2,491cc, DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Dual Zenith Carburetors
120bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual 'Pont-a-Mousson' Gearbox
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Rare late derivative of Talbot-Lago's legendary sporting marque
*Fully documented history and matching numbers
*Tasteful and comprehensive restoration completed in 2023
*Displayed at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
*Ready for further show events or tours

TALBOT-LAGO

The Talbot-Lago marque came into being in 1935 when Major A E 'Tony' Lago, a trained engineer who had risen to become head of Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq's French operations, purchased the French branch of the bankrupted STD combine, which had been taken over by Rootes. He immediately set about introducing a new range of six-cylinder models featuring advanced overhead-valve engines in a range of capacities. For these new engines, designer Walter Becchia used pushrod-operated valves set in hemispherical combustion chambers for maximum efficiency, and this pattern of cylinder head would become a Talbot hallmark. Of the new models, it was the T150C or 'Lago Special' that brought the new company to the public's attention. The Lago Special was powered by what was effectively a Grand Prix engine, specially designed for the short-lived French Sports Car Grand Prix formula that had been introduced in 1936.

During WW2 a new twin-camshaft '2AC' engine of 4.5 litres was designed, which after the war's end was used to power Talbot-Lago's successful Grand Prix monoposto and Louis Rosier's 1950 Le Mans winner. In keeping with Talbot-Lago tradition, this state-of-the art power unit was also used for the company's flagship road car, the rare and exotic short-chassis Grand Sport, which for a while was the most powerful and fastest sports car available. By this time however, the punitive taxation rates levied on larger cars were having a disastrous effect on Talbot's finances: in 1950 the firm sold 433 cars but only 81 in 1951. Even the launch of a new 2.7-litre 'Baby' failed to stem the tide and the model was withdrawn after a few years of disappointing sales.

The firm's 'last gasp' was the pretty T14LS or 2500 Sport Coupé which they introduced in 1954. The Talbot-Lago 2500 Sport can be considered from two viewpoints, on one hand it was unquestionably the swansong of this storied and legendary marque, however on the other it drew together the two decades of the company's experience in building road and sports racing cars on every level. In this respect it made this final act of the brand something that carries its own weight and reputation and is deserving of the name.

On the technical side it was powered by a typically well engineered push rod overhead valve four cylinder, with hemispherical heads, which would provide some 120 brake horse power aspirated by twin Zenith carburetors. Some weight savings were gained by electing to use a manual transmission rather than the pre-selector of its predecessors. Buyers were provided with the option of a ZF unit, or the home grown Pont-A-Mousson four speed.

Sources vary on the production totals of the series, some record 54 examples to have been built, while others state 45, the variation being attributed to orders made versus those that were actually followed through and completed, it being suspected that there were at least a handful that were cancelled.

THE CAR OFFERED

A rare sighting in America, this immaculate 2500 Sport comes to sale following an exacting restoration resulting in a debut on the famed 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance last summer.

Archival materials for the Talbot-Lago provided by the Talbot Club and noted archivists Marc Rabineau and Nico Maier to the seller confirm that the car was delivered new just as we see here today finished in Metaliose Bleu Competition, light vinyl interior and with wire wheels.

The original purchaser was a Jose Simo who was born in Barcelona, Spain, but at this time lived in the Paris suburb of Aubervillers and who took delivery on February 22, 1956 and kept the car for the next four years. In the Summer of 1960, he must have fancied a change and consigned the Talbot to Roger Loyer's respected garage in Levallois where it would have rubbed shoulders with the other sports and competition cars that he habitually traded. Loyer handled the sale to a M. Pierre Damiron who would keep the Sport 2500 for the next 15 years.

Perhaps reflecting the developing market in America at this point the Talbot-Lago left Europe, possibly being briefly owned by an E. G. Grover, and certainly passing quickly through Marvin Newman of Canal Winchester, Ohio to Edsel Pfabe of Painesville, Ohio (and Fort Pierce, Florida). Mr. Pfabe would keep the car for the next 6 years before it was purchased by noted collector of European cars, Henry Adamson of Lake Forest, Illinois. Mr. Adamson would keep the car for the next 34 years, during which time he began the groundwork for a restoration, dismantling every aspect of it, but never commencing a rebuild.


Nine years ago, the Talbot-Lago was acquired by the present owner who has undertaken the exhaustive task of restoring and reassembling the car as well as researching its details to ensure an accurate rebuild to return the car to its original former glory.

Over the course of the last five years, the Talbot-Lago was systematically worked through and restored with an eye for its detail and looks. The original external color was researched and matched, and the car refinished in this striking light metallic blue. Its interior was refurbished in the correct pattern cream fabric. As bought by Damiron and recorded to the seller today later on, the car's engine carries the normal '16' prefix, but there was never any evidence of a suffix, the assumption being that it is an unused factory unit. Interestingly, it carries striking large format Talbot-Lago script valve covers much like a Grand Sport as opposed to the normal more understated branded ones. Mechanically this dual hemispherical engine was extensively rebuilt with new pistons, valves, and parts where necessary.

Those labors were finished this past summer leading up to its display in the fiercely competitive classic for European Sports Cars at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Although not garnering an award, the Talbot acquitted itself perfectly and completed the road tour proving it can 'show and go'!

With its single outing on the concours circuit, the undeniably Talbot Sport in its competition blue paintwork is ready to provide its next owner with an entry for similar lawn events around the country or for fast road tours.