1931 Talbot 14/45

Highlights

Lovely old Talbot with remarkable history
Previous titled owner
Rebodied in Canada in the 1970s
Sympathetically restored in the late 2000s

The Appeal

Although the British Talbot concern was part of the larger Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq (STD) group, it was struggling to stay in business when Swiss-born engineer Georges Roesch returned to the company in London in 1925. Starting with a new six-cylinder engine, in the 14/45 of 1926, he transformed the prospects of the business, and was only ousted when Talbot fell into the hands of the Rootes Group in 1935.

Roesch had a ground-up approach – new chassis, new engines, new coachbuilders and a new sales approach were all part of the plan, the first fruit of which was the 14/45. Its chassis, like that of the other 'Roesch Talbots' which would follow, was conventional enough, but the engine was superb.

Even in original form, when it measured a mere 1,666 cc, and had only four crankshaft main bearings, it seemed to be years ahead of contemporary British opposition. With good handling and the high quality of engineering on the new model, the car was in high demand.

This example was built in 1928 and began life as a metal bodied saloon, believed to have been sold new to Sir Rufus Isaacs - The Viceroy of India (the service history includes a letter from his grandson pertaining to the car) and was brought back to the UK in 1932. Its ownership history is recorded since up until it was exported to Canada in the mid-1970s, where the original steel body was replaced with a vinyl-trimmed tourer body – making it a comfortable four-seater with an open roof.

It was reimported in 1991 and had three further owners, the most recent of whom was the vendor’s late father. It has been used regularly over the past 15 years including trips to various classic car events, including the Le Mans Classic, and is offered for sale in charming, usable condition.

The History and Paperwork

UK V5C
Tax, MOT and emissions zone exempt
Original buff logbook and records of all keepers since 1972
Previous titled owner – Lord Reading, Rufus Isaacs
First restored and rebodied in Canada in the 1970s
Restored again in late 2000s with a log of all work kept by the then owner, and included in the service history
Parts invoices from well-known Talbot specialists including Ian Polson and Arthur Archer
Original drawings of tourer body from when it was constructed
Arthur Archer repair manuals and parts list
Copies of correspondence from Lord Antony Rufus-Isaacs, the grandson of Lord Reading
Handwritten log of work carried out by vendor’s father during his ownership
Export and import correspondence from when the car went to Canada and subsequently returned to the UK

The Condition

Older restoration with charming patina
Lovely overall condition, but not concours
Vinyl-covered body panels all in good order with a couple of very small flaws in vinyl outer body (see photos)
Black painted running boards and mudguards, with some minor paint damage and touched-in repairs
Fully electric lighting all-round
Loads of stunning art-deco styling details in chromework and trim
Red wire wheels with correct profile vintage-style tyres
Very tidy fold-down canvas roof with rear tonneau cover and hood cover – not perfect but in sound, weatherproof order
Green leather seats in very good condition
Vinyl trimmed side panels and door cards
Ornate varnished wood dash
External temperature gauge
Fire extinguisher
A truly charming old car in lovely, usable and not over-restored condition with immense character

The Mechanics

1,666cc straight-six OHV
48bhp
Crash gearbox
Well-maintained by all previous keepers and engine rebuilt during restoration
SU carb conversion
Ignition system recently completely overhauled
Reported by the vendor to drive superbly with no known issues or faults

BEFORE YOU BUY

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